Bird Banding in New Zealand

Background
Banding of birds dates back to 1899 when a Christian Mortensen produced numbered aluminium bands, and used them to band storks, teal, starlings and other birds in Denmark.  Banding or ringing is now common in many countries in the world, with millions of birds being banded yearly.
Banding of birds in New Zealand has been carried out since the late forties by the Wildlife Service of the Department of Internal Affairs (game birds and waterfowl) and since 1950 by the Ornithological Society of New Zealand in conjunction with the National Museum (all other birds).
In 1967 the two schemes were merged into the New Zealand National Banding Scheme. From then on, all bird banding was controlled by the Wildlife Service, where all records were kept, until the Department of Conservation took over the guardianship of the scheme on 1st April 1987.

The Banding Office supplies approved ornithologists throughout New Zealand, both professional and amateur, with bands and equipment.  All data collected under this scheme is kept at the Banding Office.

Aims
The aim is to obtain accurate information about movements and habits.  Apart from its purely scientific value, such knowledge is essential for effective conservation of native species, for management of game birds, and for the control of those which are considered pests. 

Results
Over 1,150,000 birds of 230 different species have so far been banded throughout the New Zealand Region with around 25,000 birds now being banded each year.

Recoveries of banded birds are bringing to light much information about the migrations, habits, lengths of life and causes of death of wild and hand reared New Zealand birds.

The success of the banding scheme depends, to a large extent, on the reporting of bands by members of the public who find them. Every band returned adds another item of information and may even mean an entirely new discovery.

If you find a banded bird
Apart from ducks and other game birds, which are shot for sport, no bird seen wearing a band should be harmed, for it may be under observation by the bander.

In cases of a banded bird being shot, found dead or so sick that it cannot be released, the band(s) should be removed and returned to the Banding Office with your report. This  Recovery Report Form  should be completed and mailed to:

Roderick O Cossee 
Manager, New Zealand National Banding Scheme 
P O Box 10420
Wellington

email:rcossee@doc.govt.nz

Always flatten bands, and write the number on the envelope or in the letter (this is in case the band gets lost in the mail or even before mailing). Bands will be returned to you on request.

If any bird is caught alive and healthy, the number and address on its band should be carefully noted and the bird released again still wearing its band, as it may be recovered again. The number on the bird’s band, the date, place, and circumstances of recovery should be reported to the Banding Office as soon as possible.

Foreign bands
There are also foreign bird-banding schemes, with which we are in constant touch. In recent years birds which were banded abroad have been found in New Zealand. Any foreign bands may be sent to the banding office here in New Zealand or to the address on the band.

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Examples

Most birds will die before reaching these ages.

References
Ornithological Society of NZ  Web Site

Forms
Recovery Report Form

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