Hands-On Beginning Bird Banding

This course is a hands-on introduction to bird banding, a foundational method used in ornithological research and wildlife monitoring. An evening lecture covers the history, purpose, goals, and methods of bird banding, including federal and state permitting requirements, data submission to the Bird Banding Laboratory, capture techniques, safe handling of wild birds, banding procedures, collection of morphological data, and determining sex and age. 

The lecture is followed by two full days of field-based training, where participants actively assist in capturing, handling, and banding birds under professional supervision.

• The lecture portion of this class takes place via Zoom.

• The outdoor portion takes place in Riverside, CA.

• Anyone may attend! This entry-level course is open to all; no prior banding experience is required, though basic bird identification skills are helpful. Completion is required in order to enroll in Advanced Bird Banding next season.

• Entry to Joshua Tree National Park is not needed for this program.

• No meals or equipment are provided.

• Participants are responsible for their own transportation; carpooling with other participants is encouraged. 

This class is leisurely. It requires less than 2 miles of walking with shade, seating, consistent terrain, and little to no elevation gain.

Required Items:

• Water (2 to 3 liters per person)

• Clothing without exposed buttons or zippers (to avoid catching on mist nets)

• Food and snacks

• Closed-toe athletic shoes

• Sun protection: A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are recommended

• Daypack

• Compass or GPS device

• Binoculars (recommended)

• Camera (optional)

• A full tank of gas (or full charge for EVs) prior to arriving at the meeting location 

Discount Policy: Only one discount may be applied per registration. Discounts cannot be combined. Eligible discounts include Friends & Family, Teacher, Veteran, Active Duty Military (and spouses), Park Lover Member, and Student discounts. The highest applicable single discount will be applied at checkout. 

Meet Your Instructor: Stephen J. Myers is semi-retired after spending 38 years as a wildlife biologist and ornithologist for private biological consulting companies. He has concentrated his studies on birds, but also has extensive experience with small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, and plants.  Much of his experience with birds has focused on threatened and endangered species such as the California Gnatcatcher, Least Bell’s Vireo, Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, Yuma Ridgway’s Rail, and Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Mr. Myers has been banding birds since 1985, and has been a federally permitted bird bander since 1990. He has taught ornithology classes at Victor Valley College and bird banding classes at University of California, Riverside Extension. He also leads regular birding field trips and bird walks for the San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society and the Wildlands Conservancy. He and his wife enjoy international travel, usually involving birding, to places such as Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Belize, Mexico, Australia, and Sri Lanka.

Photo Credit: Lauren Sopata