Archive for category: Bird Bands

The Bird is the Word

We love seeing pictures from customers of our tags in use, which is why #BirdBanding is one of NB&T’s favorite hashtags on Twitter! We saw lots of tweets this past year of people sharing their bird banding adventures, whether it be collecting data for research, educating others about birds or sharing their banding accomplishments. After going through old tweets, we narrowed it down to NB&T’s top 10 favorite bird banding tweets from 2016!

 

10.) Check out the yellow on this Warbler’s belly! This is also a great demonstration of a bird bander’s hold.

tweet 10
9.) How could we not love this awesome pictures showing the wide berth of sizes that we offer, all about to go into action on multiples species?

tweet 9
8.) Bands are used often for tracking purposes, epically in migratory birds like geese! This is a great shot of the applicator being used to put the band on.

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7.) Another use of bands is to label the hatch year, or the year they were born, to help track age down the road.

tweet 7
6.) It’s a huge accomplishment getting your first Peregrine Falcon! This bird of prey is the fastest bird in the world with the highest recorded speed being over 200 MPH.

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5.) We always enjoy when people find their jobs to be fun! And cranking out 150 banded geese is impressive.

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4.) We get to see lots of pictures of smaller birds, ducks and geese banded, so this Green Heron is quite the treat!

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3.) Look at those little feet indeed! This is a great example of a band on a string versus the band on the actual bird. Thanks PA Deer Research for all your great pictures.

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2.) We always enjoy when children get to learn about birds and other wildlife. Getting to hear the heart rate of a bird is quite the opportunity!

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1.) The US Fish and Wildlife tweeted a blog post that is extremely informational about bird banding. How it works, the history of it, the oldest banded bird, reporting found bands and information on how you too can become a bander. https://www.fws.gov/news/blog/index.cfm/2016/9/6/Birdbanding

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Don’t forget to follow National Band & Tag on Twitter!

Happy Thanksgiving — It’s Turkey Time!

turkey band

Banding a Turkey

Thanksgiving is tomorrow! What better way to celebrate than by sharing an article on wild turkey banding? This article by the NWTF California Chapter details their research from when Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area (UBBWA) Manager Tim Hermansen, and Environmental Scientist Laura Cockrell teamed up with NWTF (National Wild Turkey Federation) with the hope of creating a spring turkey hunt at UBBWA.

The spring turkey hunt at UBBWA was approved and started in the Spring of 2015.  UBBWA and NWTF researchers planned to use the hunt to study turkey populations in the area, and make sure that the hunt wouldn’t negatively affect populations in the future. To begin their study though, they had to catch and band as many wild turkeys as possible. The return on leg bands from hunter-harvested birds is the data they would need to complete their study.

To band the turkeys, specific areas were first baited over several weeks, once a large group of turkeys was in the area, a large net was then fired out of a compressed air cannon to catch the turkeys. Researchers and volunteers then untangled the birds from the net and placed them in individual boxes. Each turkey was then processed, which included measurements of age, sex, weight, wing length, tarsal length, beard length, and spur length. They were then banded, with each band having a unique number assigned to each turkey.

Overall, their project has been quite successful. The team captured a total of 21 wild turkeys and banded them in 2015. In 2016, they captured and banded 28 turkeys.  So far, only one banded bird has been harvested and reported.

Read the full article and see more pictures here: http://www.nwtfcalifornia.com/nwtf-dollars-work-ubbwa/

Replica Bands and Custom Bird Bands

replica bird bands

Replica Bird Bands

Did you know that we make replica bird bands and custom bird bands? We make band sizes all the way from a humming bird to a tundra swan. We offer standard NB&T Size bird bands, or for an additional fee you can get a Federal Size band.

National Band & Tag is the only company authorized to make genuine, authentic replicas as we are the ones that make the original bands used by the USGS. To order a Replica Band, we need a copy of your Certificate of Appreciation from the USGS. After we receive your copy of the certificate and your order, we will confirm it with the USGS and then produce your order. Order Replica Bands online here.

For custom bands we can stamp almost anything you want on it, including names, dates, logos and more. We’ve done bands that say “marry me”, ones used as business cards, and memorial bands for loved ones. We offer plain aluminum bands or to match your event or business colors, we have colored aluminum in: Plain, Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Gold, Purple, Black, White and our newest color, Turquoise!

View all of our band sizes, colors, materials and pricing Here!

Our Favorite Tags

Here at NB&T we have hundreds of styles of tags to choose from, so we asked some of our family members and employees, “what is your favorite tag style and why?”

 

1-1/4" round tag with barcodeFaye (President): Style 137 – “The 1-1/4” inch circle is my favorite because it has so many uses and is a top seller. It is used across multiple product categories such as rabies tags, industrial tags and tree tags.
butt-end bandsBillie (Sales Representative): Style 1242 – “The Butt-End Bands are my favorite because they can be used for other things besides leg bands for waterfowl, such as wire markers, jewelry, and business cards.”
dog bone tagAndi (Graphics & Web Manager): Style 165 – “The large dog bone is my favorite because it is on my dog and I get to see it every day!”
black tree tagKevin (Laser Etching Manager): Style 14 ­– “The rectangle with rounded edges is one of my favorite because it can go on almost anything and it can vary in size to fit customer’s needs. I also get to laser etch this style a lot.”
sea turtle tag - 681ICAnne Marie (Bilingual Sales Representative): Style 681IC – “The sea turtle tag is my favorite because it is strong and can last in harsh environments like saltwater. I also like supporting sea turtle conservation.”
millenium falcon tagAlex (IT): Style 148 – “It looks like the Millennium Falcon.”
rat tagKelsey (Sales Representative):  Style 503 – “The mouse-shaped tag is my favorite because it reminds me of my pet rat.”
apron tagSarah (Sales Representative): Style 2351AT – “The plastic apron tags are my new favorite because they are new and exciting product line. They are different from other tags we do and I like working with them.”
small animal ear tagsPablo (Shipping): Style 1005-1 – “The small animal ear tag is my favorite because it is something I pack, ship and handle every day.”
heart tagAli (Marketing Specialist): Style 398 – “This is my favorite of the seven heart shapes because it looks the most like a heart and it is versatile. It can be a pet tag, promotional tag, used for weddings, and more.”

Migratory Bird Treaty

August 16, 2016 marks the centennial (100th year) of the Convention between the United States and Great Britain (for Canada) for the Protection of Migratory Birds – known as the Migratory Bird Treaty. Three other treaties were signed shortly thereafter with Japan, Russia and Mexico. The Migratory Bird Treaty, the three additional treaties and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act are the cornerstones of efforts to conserve birds that migrate across international borders.

migratory bird treaty logoThis act makes it illegal for anyone to take, possess, import, export, transport, sell, purchase, barter, or offer for sale, purchase, or barter, any migratory bird, or the parts, nests, or eggs of such a bird except under the terms of a valid permit issued pursuant to Federal regulations.

Many of these migratory birds may be found wearing one of National Band’s bird bands. We produce a wide variety of styles, sizes, and colors to accommodate the tracking of these migratory birds.

Centennial Campaign Goals:

Create awareness about the importance of migratory bird conservation by encouraging news media stories about treaty achievements, migratory birds, and habitat conservation, and connecting people to migratory bird conservation via social media.

Promote key actions that anyone can take to help birds. This includes participating in citizen science programs such as bird counts; expanding property and homeowner use of bird-friendly practices such as lights out programs, reducing collisions, and maintaining wildlife-friendly gardens; and increasing sales of the Federal Duck Stamp, which protects habitat for migratory birds.

Increase support for migratory bird conservation programs and initiatives by strengthening national and international partnerships and increasing knowledge and understanding of key legislation for migratory birds.

Expand opportunities for engagement in activities such as bird watching, hunting, and conservation, including bird-focused programs and festivals.

To learn more about the Migratory Bird Treaty Act check out:

https://www.fws.gov/birds/mbtreaty100/

Spring Turkey Season in Kentucky

Season Dates: April 16, 2016 – May 8, 2016

Kentucky’s Spring Turkey Season is in full swing with hunters out to get their two bird bag limit! All hunters know they are required to call in and report a harvested bird when they get it, but what about a banded bird? Here at National Band & Tag we encourage any hunter who lands a banded turkey to call the number on the band and report it to help researchers with their studies! Below is an example of a turkey with our Rivet Bands, who is being used by biologists to collect data on turkey’s brooding habits and population.

Kentucky’s Bag Limits for the 2016 Spring Season are:

“A hunter may take a male turkey or a turkey with a visible beard. No more than one (1) bird may be taken per day. No more than two (2) birds may be taken per spring season. Any combination of male turkeys, or female turkeys with visible beards, may be included in this two-bird season limit.”

Good luck to everyone out there this season! Comment below with pictures of your prized gobblers and any banded turkeys as well!

turkey band

Resources:

https://app.fw.ky.gov/seasondates/

http://www.wcmessenger.com/2015/news/wild-science-biologists-collect-data-to-preserve-turkey-populations

Band Your Bird Calls and Lanyards

Decorate your calls and lanyards with custom stamped bird band business cards!

Looking for a way to add the extra special something to your bird call or lanyard? Add a custom stamped Butt-End Band! These are the bands used by the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory to identify wild birds for different studies and research projects. It is an accomplishment for a hunter to shoot a banded bird. So, why not give them a band to get their collection started? Customers will remember your company when your company’s name, phone number, website, or any information you want is stamped on the band that is on your product!

Here are just a few examples from our current customers of how you can use our Butt-End bands on your calls and lanyards.

cut em close calls

Cut ‘Em Close Calls

duck wacker lanyards

Duck Wacker Lanyards

 

We can’t deny it, we love bands and tags!

monogram tag

Style 90

monogram heart tag

Style 198

Valentine’s Day is this weekend, February 14th! We love bands and tags here at National Band & Tag which is why in honor of Valentine’s Day we want to share with you some of the more romantic tags our customers have purchased. From wine charms to wedding keychains, any tag can be turned into a monogrammed gift for guests to remember your big day by.

will you marry me ideas

Style 1242-14

 

For couples who enjoy hunting together, bird leg bands can be customized like these to the left to become proposal bands or save the date invites!

 

 

save the date ideas

Style 1242-24

Share with us any way you used a band or tag in your proposal, wedding, or any kind of romantic Valentine gesture!

What Colors of Aluminum Do We Have?

One question that we receive at National Band & Tag often is about our colored aluminum and what shade it is. You’ll see a chart of the colors we offer below, however, keep in mind that different computers and devices show colors differently. This means a blue tag on your smart phone might look a different shade of blue on your desktop computer.

aluminum colors

Dog, Cat, and Industrial Tag Aluminum Colors

Also, when we purchase our material, there is a certain amount of shade variation from one order to another. One batch of red may not be the same shade of red as another. It usually stays within a certain color range, but we cannot guarantee that the red tag your received last year will be the same exact red you get this year.

The most accurate way to see a color is to request free samples of the styles you are interested in. Our free samples come from overruns of current orders so it is coming from our current material stock. Colors can vary by products as well and by what we have in stock. Please contact a sales representative at 859-261-2035 to find out what colors are available or what can be ordered.

Our aluminum colors for dog, cat, and industrial tags include: plain, red, blue, green, orange, yellow, gold, black, white and purple.

Our aluminum colors for wing bands and poultry products include: plain, red, light red, blue, light blue, green, light green, yellow, orange, light orange, pink, light pink, purple, light purple, brown, light brown, tan, black, gray and white.

aluminum colors for poultry bands

Poultry Bands Aluminum Colors

NB&T at Trade Shows

It’s one our favorite times of the year again, Trade Show Time! We attend trade shows for different industries and products throughout the year, but between January and February we will be exhibiting at 4 shows! If you are attending any of the shows or conventions below, be sure to stop by and see us.

NAGA logo2016 will be NAGA’s 84th Annual Conference. Their mission is “to protect, promote and sustain a positive environment in which game bird producers and hunting preserve operators can grow their businesses through monitoring and influencing of legislation, informing and educating our members on current industry trends and issues, and promoting and sustaining our hunting heritage through increased public awareness.”

IPPE 4c LogoThe International Production and Processing Expo, is also known as the International Poultry Expo. “Hailed as the largest annual trade show for the poultry, meat and feed industries, the show focuses on Innovation, Education, Global Reach and Networking”

NWTF logo2016 will be the NWTF’s 40th annual convention. “The NWTF is dedicated to the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of our hunting heritage. “Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt.” is the NWTF’s 10-year initiative to:

  1. Conserve or enhance 4 million acres of critical upland habitat
  2. Create 1.5 million hunters
  3. Open access to 500,000 additional acres for hunting”

pheasants forever logoPheasants Forever teams up with Quail Forever to put on the National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic each year. “Pheasants Forever is dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs.”

Which event will you be attending?

 

11 Uses For Plastic Spirals That You May Not Have Thought Of!

Plastic Spirals are one of NB&T’s most versatile products! With 11 different sizes and 11 different colors to choose from, these tiny spirals are made of strong, resilient, colored plastic. There are hundreds of uses for this product, but below are some ways our customers use them.

  1. spiral bandsBird leg bands
  2. Booklet rings
  3. Wire markers
  4. Display sign hangers
  5. Art and craft supplies
  6. Tree and plant identification
  7. Mark different assets for different departments
  8. Mark inventory based on the production date
  9. Identify equipment inspections by year
  10. Hang name tags on mailboxes
  11. Hold together loose sheet music

These Plastic Spirals can color code almost anything you can think of. Just wrap the spiral around the object and you have a visual marker!

sign hangers

Sign Hangers

book binding spirals

Book Binding Spirals

Goose & Duck Hunting – Call in Banded Birds

We found a great article from online news source, The Advocate, regarding banded waterfowl and deer during hunting season. The plea is for hunters to call in banded birds and bucks when shot. Bird Bands contain information about the bird, the date of hatch, species, etc. and is extremely useful information for federal and state biologists.

A quote from the article reads, “Federal and state waterfowl biologists want duck and goose hunters to report taking banded birds.” 

“Band data is an important management tool, because biologists use them to continue studies in populations and migration patterns of migratory birds. State teams band in excess of 2,000 wood ducks annually and, in August, completed another banding effort on mottled ducks, the state’s only native duck.”

“To report taking a bird with a band, call toll-free 1-800-327-BAND (2263). Operators are on duty to 24 hours daily through the hunting season to take calls. The operator will ask for the band number and when and where it was recovered.”

To read more of this article, you can find it here.

At National Band & Tag Co., we produce bird bands in numerous sizes, materials, and colors. If you need to band birds in your area, please give us a call. 859-261-2035

Here is a quick look at some of our butt-end bands.

bird bands

 

Bird Flu – What We Can Do To Help

The USDA has confirmed numerous cases of bird flu (avian influenza) since December 2014. It’s been reported in the Pacific, Central, and Mississippi flyways (migratory bird paths). The disease is not limited to any one type of flock, as it has been found in wild birds as well as backyard and commercial poultry flocks. Click here for a current map of the US areas affected.

To help curb the problem the USDA has plans in place, which include surveillance, reporting, biosecurity, movement control, vaccination and depopulation. All of these plans require diligent tracking and tagging of birds. That’s where we come in.

At National Band & Tag, we’ve been providing banding and tagging solutions for birds for over 100 years. We manufacture wing bands, adjustable leg bands and non- adjustable leg bands, as well as hundreds of other products. These styles, specifically, can be helpful tools in the quarantine, eradication, monitoring, and testing processes.

If you have questions, or would like more information about the solutions we offer, give us a call at 859-261-2035. We’d be happy to help.

Specific Products that May Be Useful for Bird Flu Prevention

Poultry Wingbands – Style 681681

Adjustable Leg Bands – Style 305A & 305ALProductTemplate_ATLAS SEAL 305A 305AL

Butt-End Bird Bands – Style 1242ProductTemplate_BUTT-END BANDS1242