Bird Rings: Identifying and Tracking our Feathered Friends
Bird rings, also called leg bands or identification tags, are small metallic or plastic loops that can be placed around a bird's ankle. These unique codes help identify individual birds in population surveys and assist with research on migration patterns. Bird rings vary in size depending on the species of bird being tagged and typically feature a combination of letters and numbers for easy recognition. Biologists often use specialized tools to attach these tiny bands to chicks shortly after hatching so they don't interfere with their growth but serve as lifelong markers for scientific study purposes later down the line