Retention of extra-wide, lock-on, and regular bands on waterfowl

Abstract

In tests of three types of bands -- extra-wide bands, lock-on bands, and regular U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service bands -- little difference was noted in the retention qualities of the three types on waterfowl. Therefore, there appeared to be no advantage in using either the extra-wide or the lock-on type of band rather than the regular band now in use by waterfowl banders on this continent. Waterfowl banded with two bands provided recovery data that were difficult to analyze but suggested that it might be worthwhile to identify banded birds with another type of mark and evaluate the retention of bands through subsequent recapture of the birds.