USGS Wants to Band More Birds, Same Old Forms
Published Date: 8/24/2026
Notice
Summary
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is proposing to renew an information collection with revisions.
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Removal of Personal Physical Details
If you apply for a USGS bird banding permit, you no longer need to provide height, weight, hair color, or eye color. The application also changed "Gender" to "Sex" and added an "undisclosed" option.
List Your Species and Capture Methods
Applicants can now list proposed species groups or individual species and list capture techniques rather than choose from pre-selected lists. This change replaces pre-selected species groups and capture-technique checkboxes with freeform entries.
New Applicant Type Field Added
The application adds an "Applicant Type" question with options including Federal, State, Tribal, Local Government, Non-governmental Organization, University, Avocational Biologist, Business, and Other. This is intended to align with the program's database.
New Biological Sampling Section
The permit application now includes a Biological Sampling section so applicants may request sampling beyond blood or feathers (examples given include mouth or tracheal swabbing). The question is intentionally left open to allow future sampling methods.
Comprehensive Project Description Required (Yes/No)
The application replaces a narrative question about project goals with a yes/no box asking whether you have included a Comprehensive Project Description. That description must contain species, techniques, and purposes for banding or sampling for the BBL to evaluate scientific justification.
Banding Resume and Reference Letter Changes
Applicants now indicate yes/no that they included a banding resume and the application states three letters of recommendation must be received by the BBL before any application is considered (at least two should be from a bird bander). Applicants no longer need to submit referees' names, emails, or addresses on the form.
FOIA Section Added to Protect Confidential Info
The application adds an informational Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) section so applicants can identify information they consider privileged or confidential business information. The section is informational and does not require extra input.
Estimated Annual Respondent Burden Published
USGS reports a total estimated annual respondent count of 101,429 and total estimated annual burden of 5,121 hours for all forms under control #1028-0082. The permit application (80 responses) is estimated up to 30 minutes each; the permit renewal form (463 responses) and bird banding recovery report (101,149 responses) are estimated at 3 minutes each.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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