How to Report a Banded Duck or Goose

When a hunter or researcher recovers a banded bird, they can report the band to the USGS Bird Banding Lab where it contributes to one of the world’s largest wildlife databases. Follow the steps below to report a band or other marker and learn why your encounter information is vital to waterfowl science.

How to Report a Duck or Goose Band

Reporting a banded duck or goose is an easy and straightforward process that directly contributes to waterfowl research and conservation. 

1. Visit the Official Reporting Website: Navigate to the US Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Laboratory reporting page: www.reportband.gov.
2. Identify the Type of Band: Determine whether the bird has a federal metal band, a color marker, or both. Select the appropriate option on the website.
3. Enter the Band Number: Input the unique number found on the bird’s band. If the band is worn or digits are unclear, the website provides guidance on how to proceed.
4. Provide Encounter Details: Share information about how and where you or the finder encountered or recovered the bird, including the date and location. (Note:Accurate, truthful data is essential for scientific research and conservation. This is one of the most crucial steps in reporting a band or marker.)
5. Submit Your Contact Information: Enter your name or the finder’s name and email address to receive a Certificate of Appreciation, which includes details about the bird’s species, age, banding location, and who banded the bird.

Duck Band Wear and Recovery

Duck bands, typically made of aluminum alloy, can last for years, but the engraved numbers may wear down at different rates depending on the species and its habits. Some bands become illegible within a few years due to wear and tear.

If you find a band with missing or unreadable numbers, you can mail it to the Bird Banding Laboratory for cleaning. Even if the band is completely worn, the Lab can often retrieve the numbers through a process known as “etching.” Regardless of the results, the band will be returned to you, along with a Certificate of Appreciation containing the bird’s banding details.

How to Submit a Band for Etching:

• Include your mailing address, email, and details on how, when, and where you found the band.
• Write "HAND CANCEL" on the envelope.
• Mail to:

Bird Banding Laboratory
Attn: Band to Be Etched
12100 Beech Forest Lane
Laurel, MD 20708

Why Reporting a Duck or Goose Band Matters

Banding is an indispensable tool in waterfowl conservation, providing essential data on migration patterns, bird distributions, and population health—including survival rates, harvest rates, and population size. This information helps guide waterfowl management decisions, supports sustainable hunting practices, and ensures abundant waterfowl populations. Here’s why banding matters—and why Ducks Unlimited is committed to supporting these efforts.

• Helps gather important data on migration patterns and waterfowl population health.
• Can be used in additional analyses to monitor trends in waterfowl population size.
• Ensures we have up-to-date data to inform hunting seasons.
• Is crucial for understanding where your ducks come from, identifying connections between wintering and breeding areas, documenting important habitats, and studying changes in waterfowl distribution.

Hunters may further contribute to waterfowl science and conservation by participating in harvest and hunting surveys. These provide valuable insights into hunter preferences, effectiveness of conservation and management actions, and how waterfowl hunting contributes to the economic health of local and regional communities.

Want to learn more about Duck Bands and Other Waterfowl Markers?

• What is a duck band?
• How does duck banding work?
• How Duck Banding Data Shaped North America’s Flyway System