Colour-marked shorebirds - tracking shorebirds across the globe

What is colour-marking?

The premise of colour-marking is simple - to fit an individual bird with combinations of one or more light-weight plastic colour rings (as shown on the left) that allow the individual to be uniquely identified wherever it goes in the world. The IWSG and others coordinate the use colour marks to ensure no duplication. For more information on the IWSG Colour Mark Register (for Europe) and other coordinating bodies, click here

Seen a colour marked wader?

Reporting a sighting of a colour-marked shorebird can support our knowledge of wader ecology - information fundamental to successfully conserving these global travellers. If you've seen a colour-marked shorebirds click here to report it. For more information on what to look for and how to accurately record colour markings, click here.

What to look for

What are rings, bands and flags? What colour is that? For answers to all these questions and more, check our helpful guide (click here) on what to look for when you see a colour-marked wader.