These are not projects of NYSOA. This information is provided for birders who may encounter marked birds.

Double-crested Cormorants have been banded in sevearal separate projects.  The color and alpha-numeric coding schemes for the projects are different. If you see banded Double-crested Cormorants, please note the color of the band(s) as well as the code and report the information to the appropriate contact listed below.

Cormorants banded in NY Harbor and Westchester County, NY  8/6/06
(Orange band with black letter-number-number)

From Susan Elbin:  Our Wildlife Trust Colonial Waterbirds of NY/NJ Harbor cormorant team color-banded ~200 cormorants (fledglings) this field season. Most of the birds were banded on Swinburne Island, off the coast of Staten Island. Nine were banded on Muscoot Reservoir in Westchester County. Our color code, an orange band with black alpha-numerics, is letter-number-number. Our alpha numeric series are: H00-H99, J00-J99, and K00-K99. If you see these or any color-banded cormorants in this area, please  and let us know where and when you saw them.

Cormorants banded on Oneida Lake
(Dark blue band with 3-digit numeric code)

A total of 295 Double-crested Cormorants were color banded on Oneida Lake between 2001 and 2004. Dark blue bands with white, triple numeric code (001, 002, etc.) have been deployed on both juvenile and adult birds along with aluminum FWS bands. Birds banded as chicks carry blue color bands on their left legs, with codes ranging from 001 to 254. Cormorants banded as adults carry blue color bands on their right legs, with codes ranging from 300 to 343. The bands of most birds should read from top to bottom, with the first digit being closest to the body of the bird. Please note the number of the band and the date and location of the sighting. If unable to read the code, then just noting which leg the color band is on will yield some useful information.

Please report any sightings and information to:

Cormorants banded on Lake Ontario
(Other colors of bands with 3-character codes containing numbers and a letter)

Double-crested Cormorants were banded with coloured plastic leg-bands on Canadian and U.S. islands in eastern Lake Ontario. The bands also contain numbers and letters, e.g. A10. Please note the colour of the band and of the alpha-numeric codes, as well as date and location of sighting.

Please notify:

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