REPORT SIGHTINGS

Peregrine Falcons are fitted with metal leg bands to provide researchers with valuable data on peregrine survival rates, dispersal distances, and population growth rates.

The standard leg band for Peregrines is a silver metal band issued by the federal Bird Banding Lab. The band is inscribed with a unique 9 digit code that allows birds to be identified during future resights or captures. To report seeing one of these bands, visit the ReportBand.gov website.

A second bi-color band is fitted on the falcon’s opposite leg and includes a field-readable alpha-numeric code. Falcons in the Eastern US are banded with either BLACK over RED (1989-2004) or BLACK over GREEN (2000 – present). There are also several orientations and alphanumeric character arrangements on the bands. When reading a band, an observer should note the top character and its orientation (vertical or horizontal), the top background color, then note the bottom character code, orientation, and color.

For example, below are a mated pair of falcons from the Berkley Bridge in Virginia.

Berkeley Bridge Female: Black E over Green 4 (Type 3)

Berkeley Bridge Male: Black 6 over Red horizontal D (Type 17)

IN VIRGINIA

In Virginia, all falcon nestlings are banded with an anodized green US Fish and Wildlife Service band on the right leg and a bi-color alphanumeric band on the left leg. In addition, falcons that are hacked in cooperation with the National Park Service can have colored tape temporarily covering one of the bands.

Please contact The Center for Conservation Biology with information regarding sightings of Peregrine Falcons in Virginia. In your email, please include date of observation, detailed description of location, and any behavioral observations. Photos are preferred to confirm species.

Contact: Bryan Watts bdwatt@wm.edu 757-221-2247

IN THE EASTERN USA

Please contact these biologists for peregrine sightings in each state. Photos are always helpful for confirming the species and band codes.