If you have found a bird with a leg band
If the bird is not a pigeon, you can report your finding and possibly receive some information on its history by visiting the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Bird Banding Laboratory
For pigeons, you will need to use the letters and numbers on the band to know whom to contact.
For example if the band reads: IF-1505-HRP-04
The ( IF ) means it originated from the International Federation Org.
The ( 1505 ) is a unique serial number for identifying that bird.
The ( HRP ) is the Club identification Code within the Org.
The ( 04 ) is simply the year the pigeon was born.
- IF = INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION ORG
- AU = AMERICAN RACING PIGEON UNION ORGANIZATION
- NPA = NATIONAL PIGEON ASSOCIATION
- CU = CANADIAN PIGEON UNION
- IPB = INDEPENDENT PIGEON BREEDERS
- NBRC = NATIONAL BIRMINGHAM CLUB
If you are unsure of which pigeon organization to contact, you can use the 911 Pigeon Alert Form