A large number of banded New Zealand birds are migratory and have been found around New Zealand, Australia, North and South America, South Africa, and even Russia.
Each band returned adds another item of information and may even mean an entirely new discovery. Recovery means the distance between the banding site and recovery site can be calculated, as can the time elapsed since banding, and other relevant information.
The New Zealand National Banding scheme works with international banding organisations to track the movement of migrating birds throughout the world. The New Zealand scheme keeps data on birds banded overseas but recovered in New Zealand, and vice versa.
For more information on international banding or ringing schemes, click below.
Froude, V. 2000. Review of National Databases Relating to the New Zealand Marine Environment. Report prepared for the Ministry for the Environment’s Environmental Performance Indicators Programme. New Zealand.
Cossee, R. 1998. Report on Bird Banding in New Zealand 1995/1996. Department of Conservation. New Zealand.
Department of Conservation. 2000. ‘The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.’ New Zealand.
Onley, D. & Bartle, S. 1999. Identification of Seabirds of the Southern Ocean: A guide for scientific observers aboard fishing vessels. Te Papa Press. New Zealand.