8|9|25 - Junior Ornithologist: Bird Banding and Tracking
Have you ever wondered how scientists know where birds travel, how long they live, or what their favorite snack is? Well, they have a clever way of finding out—and it’s called bird banding and tracking!
As a Junior Ornithologist, you can help protect our feathered friends by learning how scientists give birds tiny “bracelets” called bands. These bands have special codes that help track where the birds go. It’s like giving a bird a tiny passport so we can follow its amazing journeys!
What is Bird Banding?
Bird banding is when scientists gently catch a bird, put a small, lightweight band around its leg, and then let it go. Each band has a unique number—just like an ID card. This helps scientists learn:
How far birds travel during migration
Where they nest and find food
How long they live
If their populations are growing or shrinking
Bird Tracking Adventures
In addition to bands, some birds get tiny GPS trackers. These trackers send signals to satellites so scientists can see the bird’s migration path on a map. You might be amazed to see that some birds travel thousands of miles, even across oceans!
How You Can Try Bird Banding (Safely!)
While only trained scientists can handle and band birds, kids can still get involved:
Join a bird banding demonstration at a nature center or wildlife refuge
Help spot and record birds during a banding event
Use binoculars to read color bands on birds from a safe distance
Keep your own bird migration journal with dates, locations, and species you see
Fun Junior Ornithologist Activities
Make a Bird Passport – Draw your favorite bird and create a pretend “passport” showing where it might migrate.
Map the Migration – Use a world map and string to show the path of a famous migrating bird like the Arctic Tern or the Swainson’s Hawk.
Make Your Own Bird Tracking Journal - Draw columns for date, time, bird species, and location. Add space for sketches or feather colors.
Create a Backyard Bird Feeder - Use a recycled milk carton or pine cone rolled in peanut butter and birdseed to attract local birds.
Binocular Challenge - Borrow or make binoculars from toilet paper rolls and try spotting birds from far away.
Bird Call Imitation Game - Listen to bird calls on apps like Merlin Bird ID, then try to mimic them with friends.
Feather Detective - Look for feathers on safe nature walks (never pluck from a live bird) and compare their shapes and sizes.
Nest Building Contest - Gather safe materials (sticks, string, leaves) and see who can make the sturdiest nest.
Bird-Themed Scavenger Hunt - Look for “a bird with red feathers,” “a bird in flight,” “a bird eating,” etc.
Bird Art Day - Paint or draw your favorite bird and label its body parts—beak, wings, tail, and claws.
Bird Band Simulation - Make pretend “bird bands” from paper strips with numbers and wrap them around stuffed animal legs, then “track” where they go.
Fun Bird Facts!
The Arctic Tern migrates about 44,000 miles a year—the longest migration of any animal!
Hummingbirds can flap their wings as fast as 80 times per second.
Some owls have asymmetrical ears so they can hear prey under snow.
The Wandering Albatross has the longest wingspan of any bird—up to 11 feet!
Penguins can’t fly, but they can swim faster than many fish!
The fastest bird in the world, the peregrine falcon, can dive at over 200 miles per hour.
The emu is the only bird with calf muscles in its legs, which help it run up to 30 mph.
Flamingos get their pink color from the shrimp and algae they eat.
The common swift can stay in the air for almost a year without landing!
A group of crows is called a murder—but don’t worry, they’re actually very smart and social.
Junior Ornithologist’s Motto:
"Observe. Protect. Learn." Every bird you see has a story to tell—if you just take the time to watch and listen. So get out there and have some fun getting to know birds and their habits!
