How Bird Banding Helps Advance Raptor Rehabilitation

If you’re an avid birdwatcher, you may have spotted a bird with a band around their leg. With careful observation or the help of zoom photography, you can often identify the band’s colors and the numbers etched on it. These small bands represent a monumental effort in bird science and conservation, contributing to a national database maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL).

At the Carolina Raptor Center, all rehabilitated raptors receive a permanent aluminum band with a federal ID number before release. This practice allows us to monitor the long-term success of our rehabilitation efforts and provide critical data to the BBL, which supports bird science, management strategies, and conservation initiatives across the United States.

A Great Horned Owl Returns After 22 Years

Occasionally, we receive updates about birds we’ve previously banded, offering invaluable insights. One such remarkable story is that of Patient #26744, a Great Horned Owl we admitted on December 9, 2024. This bird, wearing a federal band, was quickly identified through its unique ID number. Our records revealed that she was originally treated and released by CRC in June 2002, making her an astounding 22 years old!

To put this in perspective, the average lifespan of a wild Great Horned Owl is estimated at 5–15 years, meaning Patient #26744 far exceeded expectations. Much of what we know about bird lifespans comes from banding data, as determining the exact age of an adult wild owl without this information is inherently challenging. Based on her potential to raise two chicks per year, this owl could have raised up to 44 young over her lifetime, contributing significantly to her species’ population.

The Science Behind Bird Banding

Bird banding provides scientific evidence that helps us refine rehabilitation practices, increasing post-release survival rates. At CRC, we consider a release successful if the bird survives at least six months in the wild. Stories like that of Patient #26744 illustrate the effectiveness of these efforts, while also underscoring the importance of long-term tracking.

Earlier this year, a peer-reviewed study published in Wildlife Biology and led by Dr. Christian Hagan of Oregon State University highlighted the conservation benefits of rehabilitating and releasing injured raptors across the U.S. This study marked the first continental-scale assessment of raptor rehabilitation as a conservation tool. Using data from the BBL and facilities like the Carolina Raptor Center, the study demonstrated that raptor rehabilitation plays a role in ensuring the continued success of native raptor species.

How You Can Help in Bird Banding Reporting

Just this week, we received another exciting report of a banded bird: a Cooper’s Hawk. A vigilant bird watcher utilized zoom photography to read the bird’s band numbers. This hawk, released by CRC in 2019, is thriving in the wild. Reports like these are invaluable, and bird watchers play a crucial role in contributing to this effort.

If you encounter a banded bird, you can report it to the Bird Banding Laboratory. Every submission helps researchers and rehabilitation centers like CRC track the success of their conservation work.

To learn more about CRC’s rehabilitation work, explore our latest success stories. Together, we can ensure the survival and well-being of raptors and other wildlife for generations to come.