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State Band Identifiers: Each state has a unique color band combination that identifies birds banded in that state. Each bird is banded with 2 identical bands engraved with letters and/or numbers
Red with White letters/numbers
Dark Blue with White letters/numbers.
Green with Whiteletters/numbers
Black with White letters/numbers
Orange with Black letters/numbers
Yellow with Black letters/numbers
AMOY List Server
To be added to the American Oystercatcher email discussion group contact: Sara Schweitzer
Introduction
Color banding individual birds helps researchers learn about movement, habitat requirements, and survival, but only if people observe and report the locations of banded birds. This page is intended to help people identify banded American Oystercatchers and promote communication among researchers, wildlife managers, and other interested individuals.
| American Oystercatchers can be banded on up to four band locations. Band combinations are generally reported as upper left (tibiotarsus), lower left (tarsometatarsus), upper right, and lower right. Band Types include plastic bands, flags, and engraved metal bands. Plastic color bands and flags come in a variety of Band Colors. If you see a banded oystercatcher, record the location, color, and type of bands you observe. There can be up to two bands at each location so be sure to note the position of each band at each location. |  |
 photo by Sidney Maddock |
Researchers working with American Oystercatchers have agreed on a common banding protocol. Each state has a color that identifies birds banded in that state. Each bird is banded with two identical bands engraved with letters and/or numbers. The combination of band color and engraved code identifies individual birds. We put two identical bands on each bird to increase the chance of reading the band code in the field and to guard against band loss. |
Reading Band Codes Reading engraved band codes in the field can be challenging. Each band is engraved twice with a two-element code, This allows the code to be seen from any angle, but can lead to confusion over which letter/number comes first. To help correct this problem a dot is engraved between the codes on one side of the band. The band seam separates the codes on the other side of the band. The photos below show a green band inscribed with the code "N5". The photo on the left shows the code in the correct orientation. The photo in the center shows the band turned 90 degrees so the code appears backward as "5N". The dot in the center separates the codes and shows that the "N" is the first element of the code. The photo on the right shows the band from the other side so the band seam separates the codes instead of the dot. |
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These details can be difficult to discern in the field, but it is usually possible to do so with careful observation. In the photo below on the left you can see that the correct code order is E8 even though the band on the right shows the 8 first. The dot separates the engraved codes and shows that the E is the first element of the code. In the photo on the right the correct code is "5V". The band on the right leg looks like "V5", but if you look closely you will see the band seam which indicates a separation between the codes. In both cases the letters/numbers are closer together when viewed in the right order, which also helps determine the correct way to read the band. Even if you are not certain of the correct order of the code please report the band anyway! In many cases we can still determine the origin of the bird, especially if you send a photo along with the sighting. |
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UPDATE: We have made a small change in our banding scheme to improve the chances of reading a band correctly. Beginning in 2008, we will use an underline to indicate the first character of the 2-character band code, Instead of a dot between the codes. We are using more reverse codes now (N7 and 7N for example), so this new indicator should help identify the correct way to read a band. When reporting a coded band, please note whether the band has an underline and if so, which letter or number is underlined. The band to the right is correctly read as Black(N7), because the underline is below the "N". This change will only affect new bands. All banded birds currently in the field will still have the older banding schemes. |
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Report a Sighting
Use the form below to report a sighting
Reporting instructions:
For bands with engraved codes, report the color, code, and which letter or number was underlined (if any). The bird on the right would be reported as:
Color: Dark Green
Code: 25
Underline: No
For birds with multiple uncoded bands, report the color and position of the bands.
Example: The bird above on the left would be reported as:
Upper Left: Orange/Dark Green
Lower Left: Red
Upper Right: Silver/Light Green
Lower Right: No Band
If you cannot confirm the presence, color, or code of a band at any of the locations, just put "unknown", or "unknown color". Even partial codes are useful!
Report Form:
If you have photos of a banded bird or additional information, please email Shiloh Schulte saschult@ncsu.edu
Banded Oystercatcher Resightings
The map below shows locations where color-banded Ostercatchers have been resighted. Click on a location to zoom in on the map.
