There is nothing more exciting for a waterfowl hunter than to shoot a duck or goose and discover a small, aluminum band on the bird's leg. Worth only a cent or two as a piece of metal, when placed on the leg of a duck or goose, it becomes a priceless piece of memorabilia. But Jewelry, as it's known in the waterfowling world, is much more than a collector's item. The little metal leg band, and the information provided by the hunter holding that band, is invaluable to wildlife biologists.

Historically, bird banding goes back to the Roman Empire, used to identify the emperor's hunting falcons. Modern bird banding for scientific purposes started in the late 1800s in Denmark, and found its way to North America soon after, when the Canadian Wildlife Service and the Bureau of the Biological Survey (now the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) organized a continental banding system.

Since those early days of banding, the U.S. Geological Survey's Bird Banding Laboratory has standardized the procedure for all banding operations in North America, and handles distribution of the bands as well as tabulating the banding records and recovery information.

Modern lightweight, durable aluminum bands come in 28 sizes to fit the range of species from hummingbirds to swans. Waterfowl are not the only species banded for scientific studies in North America.

Today, birds are banded for a variety of reasons, but of most importance to waterfowl biologists are: determination of migration routes, determining wintering affinities from species breeding areas, harvest rates, survival rates, distribution of the harvest, derivation of the harvest, differential vulnerability of age and sex classes... the list goes on and on.

It's hard to imagine that kind of information detailed from a little piece of aluminum with a number stamped on it, placed on the leg of a drake mallard or other species. But biologists can glean that kind of data from each and every leg band number turned in by waterfowl hunters. That is why it is so critical for hunters to take the time to report any banded birds they shoot. If you think about it, waterfowl hunters are one of the only groups of hunters who take a very active role in wildlife management by turning in band information. In fact, if hunters did not turn in band information, the entire waterfowl management system could not function.

Reporting band information is simple, only takes a few minutes and you never have to give up possession of your bands, so you can display your jewelry proudly on your call lanyard or dog whistle cord, yet still provide scientists with a wealth of information.

One of the easiest ways to report a bird band of any kind is to visit: http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/homepage/call800.htm

At this site you can check the type of band, and submit all the information that biologists need about where and when the bird was taken. If you prefer, you can call a toll-free number (1-800-327-BAND) from anywhere in North America to report bands by phone. It only takes a few minutes to report all the needed information.

By turning in band information, not only do hunters actively participate in wildlife management, but also for each reported band, you will receive a detailed report about the banded bird. These reports usually arrive within a few weeks of when you first report the band, and each report lists where the bird was banded, who did the banding, the age and sex of the bird. In addition to knowing more about the birds you hunt, you'll feel good about knowing you are doing your part in waterfowl management and conservation.