https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/bblretrv

1. You CAN report a banded bird even if you don’t have the ID code from the metal band – the easier-to-read code from a colored band alone is enough to uniquely identify individual birds.

2. The best way to report is to use the following web page, as follows:

“Starting from the main band reporting webpage (https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/bblretrv), once you click continue, it leads to the next step where observers can choose types of bands. ‘Color maker only’ option is the one that works without a metal band number.”

3. A photo documentation is also useful, while not required for reporting, so that it could be used to confirm that the bird had been banded correctly and that the bands aren’t causing problems for the bird. (They also archive submitted photo documentation. )