In my January 30 post, I shared the photo and story about a banded Trumpeter Swan I encountered while out shooting (photos!) in Northern Ohio. I visited the North American Bird Banding program web site to report my sighting of this swan. I've heard back from the program and received a certificate of appreciation (so nice!) with information on this swan. In short, what we know because of the bird banding program is that this is a 12 year old female Trumpeter Swan. She was banded before she had learned to fly and in a location on Lake Erie about 20 miles from where I took from my photo. Trumpeter's can live 20-30 years so she's on her way to a long life. Trumpeter's form typically lifetime pair bonds when they're 3 to 4 years old and this female had her mate with her. I appreciate the work of the North American Bird Banding program and the individual from the Ohio Division of Wildlife who banded this bird. 

The North American Bird Banding Program also provided this important information:

"Bird banding is important for studying the movement, survival and behavior of birds. About 60 million birds representing hundreds of species have been banded in North America since 1904. About 4 million bands have been recovered and reported.

Data from banded birds are used in monitoring populations, setting hunting regulations, restoring endangered species, studying effects of environmental contaminants, and addressing such issues as Avian Influenza, bird hazards at airports, and crop depredations. Results from banding studies support national and international bird conservation programs such as Partners in Flight, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, and Wetlands for the Americas.

The North American Bird Banding Program is under the general direction of the U.S. Geological Survey and the Canadian Wildlife Service. Cooperators include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mexico's National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity and Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources; other federal, state and provincial conservation agencies; universities; amateur ornithologists; bird observatories; nature centers; nongovernmental organizations such as Ducks Unlimited and the National Audubon Society; environmental consulting firms and other private sector businesses. However, the most important partner in this cooperative venture is you, the person who voluntarily reported a recovered band.

Please Report Bands at www.reportband.gov"

North American Banded Bird Program