Instruction sheet: Applying for a Scientific Permit under the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022 (MBR 2022)

Alternate format

General Information

Scientific permits are issued under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 (S.C. 1994, c.22) pursuant to paragraph 12(1)(d) and section 75 of the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022 (MBR 2022).

A Scientific Permit may be issued to a person who acts with a scientific purpose, meaning that the purpose of the project/program is related to studies and systematic investigations that are aimed at developing scientific knowledge, including migratory bird conservation and management. A Scientific Permit holder may, for scientific purposes, including banding, or for rehabilitation or educational purposes, do one or more of the following activities subject to the conditions of the permit, if the activity is listed on the permit:

• Capture, kill, injure or harass a migratory bird
• Destroy, take or disturb an egg
• Damage, destroy, remove or disturb a nest
• Deposit bait in any place during the period referred to in subsection 6(1), in accordance with subsections 6(3) to (5)
• Exchange, give or have in their possession a migratory bird, egg or nest
• If they are authorized to capture and band a migratory bird, take birds that are killed as a result of normal banding operations or that are found dead

Activities that do not require a Scientific Permit include:

• The collection of feces or regurgitate from the environment (since no migratory birds or parts will be taken)
• Nest removal and/or destruction outside of the breeding season provided the species is not included in Schedule 1 of the MBR 2022
• Photography or observational studies, such as ground surveys, that are conducted from a distance where there is no disturbance to migratory birds, eggs or nests
• Nest searching provided that there is no handling and observations are conducted from a distance where there is no disturbance to migratory birds, eggs or nests
• Temporary possession for the purpose of transporting injured birds to a rehabilitation centre for treatment
• Laboratories accepting found dead birds for disease screening

Depending on which activities you are applying to conduct, you must fill out different parts of the Scientific Permit application form (Modules 3 through 7 that relate to your activities).

For the purpose of the application form, an applicant is the person responsible for filling out the application form and who intends to become the "Permit holder" pending the approval of the application form and issuance of a permit. An applicant may also be a current permit holder who is applying for permit renewal or amendment.

As an applicant you are required to demonstrate your ability to carry out the activities being applied for (as set out in the relevant part(s) of the application form) and demonstrate your competence with certain techniques.

Mandatory modules:

Module 1: Applicant and General Information (Mandatory)

• Mandatory for all Scientific Permit applications.

Module 2: Activity and Project/Program Information (Mandatory)

• Mandatory for all Scientific Permit applications.

Please complete the following sections in the Scientific Permit Application form IF:

Module 3: Capture and Band Birds

• You want to capture and/or band live birds, including marking with auxiliary markers, and to take birds that are found dead while undertaking banding activities or that are found dead.

Module 4: Capture, Kill, Injure and/or Harass Migratory Birds, Damage, Destroy, Remove and/or Disturb Nests and/or Destroy, Take and/or Disturb Eggs for Scientific or Educational Purposes

• You want to capture and/or harass migratory birds, nests, and/or eggs for scientific or educational purposes, including biological sample collection and performing other veterinary procedures.

Module 5: Possess Live Birds (Including Rehabilitation)

• You want to capture birds for scientific or educational purposes, or to temporarily possess migratory birds for rehabilitation purposes.

Module 6: Possess Dead Migratory Birds, Eggs and Nests

• You want to possess migratory birds, including whole specimens, or their parts, eggs and/or nests under a collection and you are not banding birds.

Module 7: Species at Risk

• You want to conduct activities that may affect species at risk listed as threatened or endangered under Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (Species at Risk Act (S.C. 2002, c. 29)) (SARA).

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is dedicated to upholding rigorous scientific, welfare, and data standards. This commitment to high standards is a shared value among ECCC, researchers, and the public. The safety and ethical treatment of individual birds under investigation, along with the accurate collection of data, are paramount in upholding the scientific validity of results and the credibility of the associated projects, which, in turn, influence conservation and management efforts. Individuals working with migratory birds in a scientific context are expected to be familiar with relevant guidelines, standards, and the scientific literature. The Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) assumes the responsibility of scrutinizing permit applications to verify the safe and appropriate utilization of birds in scientific research, with a focus on safeguarding bird populations in Canada.

Submitting your application

Complete the application form and attach all required documentation. Where you submit your completed application form for a new permit, amendment or renewal depends on your Scientific purposes(s) and location. If you are applying for:

• Scientific Banding and other Scientific purpose(s): submit the same application by email to the Bird Banding Office (BBO) and the relevant regional CWS office(s)
• A Scientific Banding Permit: submit your application by email to the BBO
• Scientific purpose(s) other than Banding: submit your application by email to the relevant regional CWS office(s)

Only one permit application is required for a single applicant.

Visit the webpage for the contact information for CWS permitting offices (Contact information for Canadian Wildlife Service offices (by region)).

Service Standard

The CWS service standard (Service standards and performance: permits for Migratory Birds Regulations) is to make 90% of permit decisions within 40 days after the completed application is received or 20 days before the permit is required, whichever is later. For authorizing an activity directly affecting listed wildlife species under the Species at Risk Act, a permit decision will be made within 90 days.

The service standard will be paused until all the required documents have been submitted. If you are applying to conduct activities in the territories, the CWS process works in conjunction with other processes and requirements, which can alter the decision time. Further consultation may be required in these regions which will also pause the service standard until the process is complete.

Your application must be completed in sufficient detail so that CWS can fully assess the proposed activities. Incomplete, unsigned, or illegible application forms cannot be processed and may result in a delay or refusal of your application. For permit renewals, an application is considered incomplete if a report for the preceding year is not submitted according to the terms of the permit. If a section is not applicable, please write or select N/A (not applicable).

Please note: In the instructions that follow, where the information requested under a section of the application form is self-explanatory, no description is provided in the instructions for that section (however, the section number is listed as a placeholder to follow the sequence of the application form).

Module 1: Applicant and General Information (Mandatory)

All Scientific Permit applicants must complete Module 1 for an application to be considered complete.

Section 1: General Information

1.1.1 Type of request

Please select one option accordingly.

• New permit application
  • If you have never previously held a MBR Scientific permit a MBR Scientific permit.
  • If you do not hold a permit presently.
  • If there have been substantial changes to your project/program.
  • If you are starting a new project/program or joining an existing project/program and/or activities since you have last held a valid MBR Scientific permit.
• Permit renewal
  • If you wish to continue the activities for which you are currently authorized to undertake, and your current permit has recently or will soon expire.
  • You may apply for a permit renewal if your permit has recently expired, and you have submitted your report form on time.
• Amendment to existing permit
  • If you wish to make changes to your existing permit. For example, change in permit holder, addition of nominees, applying for a new project/program under the same permit and changes to activities and species.

Administrative changes, such as a change to contact information for a permit holder or nominee, can be requested by emailing your regional office. Please submit all banding applications to the BBO, not to your regional CWS office. If you are currently a Banding permit holder, you can also perform some administrative tasks directly through the Bird Banding Program Portal (NABBP Bander Portal).

1.1.2 History

Please answer accordingly to provide CWS offices with an understanding of your history in relation with holding previous MBR permits.

Section 2: Applicant Information

1.2.1 Applicant contact information

The applicant is the individual who is applying to undertake the otherwise prohibited activities and to whom the permit would be issued. The applicant may wish to include prefixes/titles or pronouns.

1.2.2 Mailing address

The applicant must provide their mailing address.

1.2.3 Organization information (if applicable)

If applying on behalf of an organization, the applicant must state the organization name, as well as the organization’s mandate, website, and mailing address (if the address is different from the applicant’s address).

Please check the appropriate box to identify the type of organization from the list provided. If an accurate description of your organization is not provided, please select “Other” and provide a short description. Please only select one option. Environmental consultants should check the box that describes the organization that engaged their services for this activity.

1.2.4 Organization’s mailing address (if different from above)

Please complete this section if the organization’s mailing address is different from the applicant’s.

1.2.5 Nominees (not applicable to banding applicants)

Nominees are individuals who will be undertaking the permitted activities with, or on behalf, of the permit holder. If a permit is issued, the permit holder is responsible for the actions of the nominees under their supervision while conducting the activities authorized under the permit, and for ensuring that the nominees are properly qualified and instructed for the tasks they will be undertaking. Nominees have the capacity to act on behalf of the permit holder to engage in activities under section 75(2) of the MBR 2022.

Applicants must list the activities that nominees will be conducting, as well as their experience related to those activities. If it is expected that nominees will be gaining experience in the field under the supervision of the permit holder or other nominees, you can indicate in the last column of the table that this project will serve as training.

Please note that nominees cannot be added to Banding permits. If you are a Scientific Banding applicant, please refer to Module 3 for Collaborating permittees.

Considerations for Modules 5 and 6:

• For preserved collections, individuals taking specimens from the wild need to be listed on the permit as nominees.
• For live collections, only permanent staff in charge of the migratory birds and a veterinarian are required to be named on the permit. Unless they will be conducting permitted activities outside the facility, other support staff, assistants and volunteers do not need to be named individually as nominees and can be included in a list of nominees for that facility. List individual names in column 1 of the table in 1.2.5 or indicate “employees or volunteers”.

Please complete table in 1.2.5 if you intend to have nominees.

Section 3: Checklist of Completed Parts and Attached Documentation

This section lists documents you may attach to your Scientific Permit application depending on which Modules are being submitted. Your application is considered complete when all relevant documentation is received. Attach additional relevant documentation such as your research proposal, recent publications, standard operating procedures, etc. Note that not all documents listed for each Module are required for each application. You will be notified if your application is incomplete or if additional documentation is required.

Section 4: Signature of Applicant

The name in this section must match the name of the applicant in Module 1.2.1 of the application.

The signature binds the applicant to the statement of certification. Please ensure that all information is correct and that you read the statement before signing and dating the application. If you do not sign the application, the application cannot be processed.

A digital signature can be applied.

Module 2: Activity and Project/Program Information (Mandatory)

All permit applicants must complete this section. This part provides the justification for the need for a Scientific permit. The purpose of the project/program must be related to studies and systematic investigations that are aimed at developing scientific knowledge, including migratory bird conservation and management. Please note that only one project or program should be described in Module 2. Complete a separate Module 2 for each project or program for which you are applying (e.g., If you intend to work on three projects or programs, fill in and submit three copies of Module 2).

Section 1: Project/Program Duration (Anticipated)

These dates may be estimated if your project/program length is uncertain. For long-term monitoring projects/programs where the intent is to continue indefinitely, write “indefinitely” in the end date field.

Section 2: Activity Information

Select all applicable activities for which you are applying as listed in section 75(2) of the MBR 2022. The activities should reflect the project/program description to be explained in 2.4.3 and 2.4.4.

Section 3: SARA-Listed Species

Please check the box “Yes” if any migratory bird that is also a federally listed species at risk (extirpated, endangered, or threatened) may be affected by the activities to be conducted under the permit. Module 7 is required if species protected by both the Migratory Bird Convention Act (MBCA) and SARA are affected. If SARA species will not be impacted, please check the box “No” and provide a justification of why no Species at Risk will be affected.

Module 7 is not required for species listed as “special concern”.

Section 4: Project/Program Information

A project/program is the basis for your need for a MBR Scientific permit.

• For research purposes, this could include a research project, university thesis or collaboration with other members of the scientific community.
• For rehabilitation, this would describe your work with migratory birds.
• For possession of specimens such as those archived in or on display at a museum, this would describe the intent of how specimens will be used for scientific or educational purposes.

Please select one option accordingly.

• New project/program – This project/program has not yet been reviewed by CWS permitting staff.
• Continuing project/program –This project/program has been previously reviewed by permitting staff.

Please select one option accordingly.

• Principle Investigator – you are leading this project/program or are the sole individual engaged in this project/program.
• Collaborator – you are working with partners on this project/program and are not the project/program lead.

2.4.1 Project/Program title

2.4.2 Objectives

Please demonstrate the value of the project/program by outlining its objectives.

2.4.3 Summary

Please provide a plain language summary of the project/program. CWS may use this information to respond to enquiries from the public.

2.4.4 Description

Briefly describe how you will achieve the project/program’s objectives. Refer to any specific techniques that will be used.

2.4.5 Justification

In addition to the justification for the need to use migratory birds, please describe the conservation value of your project/program or its contribution to scientific understanding or practice, including all alternative measures considered to achieve your project/program objective and why the proposed project/program is the best option.

2.4.6 Applicant qualifications (or resume or CV attached)

Please provide a description of your qualifications as it relates with the purpose and activities for which you are requesting authorization. A resume or curriculum vitae (CV) may be attached instead of a description if it details your experience and qualifications in relation to the activities outlined in your project/program summary. Please check the box if a resume or CV is attached.

For Scientific Banding applicants: Describe your experience capturing, handling, and banding birds. Include information about your technical qualifications, academic qualifications, and experiences with species or species groups. When describing your banding experience, include information about your hands-on experience with techniques, trainers, internships, courses, workshops, certifications, and any other relevant experience with approximate dates, as well as with species and species groups. Also, include information about trainers and mentors, courses and workshops you have attended, certifications you have obtained, internships you have participated in, and any other relevant experience. Applicants must already be trained in the techniques for which they are applying.

If applying for a modification to your permit, describe your training and skill level for any new species group or authorization requested.

2.4.7 Geographic scope

Fill in the subsection(s) relevant to your project/program.

2.4.7.1 Location identification for scientific banding permit applicants

Select the provinces or territories where you intend to conduct your activities. This subsection should only be filled out by scientific banding permit applicants.

2.4.7.2 Location of activities for all other scientific applicants

Provide an address(es) for the location of activities. When the address of the location(s) is not a street address: Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates, latitude and longitude coordinates, a parcel identification number or a legal land description is required. Some applications, such as banding, may not have specific locations to list.

2.4.7.3 Protected areas

If the applicant proposes to work in a protected area, other permits or permissions may be required. It is your responsibility to obtain the necessary permits, and to ensure that you have landowner permission to access public or private land.

Section 5: Disposal, Disposition, and Intended Use

2.5.1 Final disposition of live migratory birds

Please check all that may apply for the planned disposition of any live migratory birds. To use any location as a release site, it is your responsibility to ensure you have received the landowner’s permission, whether the land is public or private, and that you are in compliance with any other applicable regulations.

2.5.2 Final disposal or disposition of carcass, parts, samples, eggs, and/or nests

Provide a description of the planned disposition or intended use of any dead migratory birds; whether they will be disposed of or kept for a further scientific or educational purpose (e.g., incinerated on site, transported to a landfill or off-site disposal, transferred to another permit holder, donated to an institution for educational purposes, preserved and held for future scientific studies etc.). Carcasses must be disposed of in a sanitary manner in accordance with local regulations.

2.5.3 Euthanasia methods

A permit holder may euthanize the migratory bird to prevent further suffering if it cannot be rehabilitated or released. Permit holders should know how to determine when euthanasia is necessary, and they should be trained in appropriate methodologies including how to confirm death and how to safely dispose of dead birds in a sanitary manner. See the CCAC's guidelines (General guidelines) on the care and use of wildlife for methods for wildlife in general (CCAC guidelines: Wildlife) and specifically for birds. If applicable, the applicant may also attach additional documentation such as the organization’s euthanasia policy, protocol or SOP and indicate it as an “Other” document in any additional module submitted.

If euthanasia is not required, check the box indicating the section does not need to be filled in.

Module 3 – Capture and Band Birds

Section 1: Permit Type and Master or Station Responsible Individual (RI) Signature

3.1.1 Permit type

If applying for a new permit to capture and band, please indicate the type for which you are applying. The BBO website (Types of permits) has more information on the three types of Bird banding permits.

3.1.2 Permit number and signature of master or station RI (if applicable)

If applying for or requesting an amendment for a sub-permit, please provide the permit number of the master bander or station permit under which you will be working. You must include a signature from the master permit holder or the responsible individual of the station permit indicating that they support this application. A digital signature or a separate attached statement of consent on behalf of the master permit holder or station permit responsible individual is acceptable.

Section 2: Capture and Band Birds

3.2.1 Banding experience

This subsection addresses your banding experience in a broad context and discusses your familiarity with concepts all permit holders should know. Applicants for permits to capture and band must submit testimonials in the form of Report on Applicant Qualifications (RAQ) (Report on Applicant Qualifications):

• First-time applicants should submit at least 2 RAQ
• Current permit holders should submit at least 1 RAQ when requesting a new species group or technique not previously authorized

A foreign banding permit or North American Banding Council (NABC) certification (trainer or bander level) may be submitted in place of up to 1 RAQ.

Applicants and permit holders should be familiar with the banding program guidelines, Bander’s code of ethics (Banders’ Code of Ethics), The North American Banding Council’s manuals (North American Banding Counc), the Ornithological Council’s Guidelines to the Use of Wild Birds in Research (Guidelines to the use of wild birds in research) and the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) Guidelines on: wildlife (CCAC guidelines: Wildlife), the CCAC species-specific recommendations on: birds (Guidelines and policies) and the migratory birds in research animal user training module (Migratory birds in research). The CCAC also provides Guidelines on euthanasia of animals used in science (CCAC guidelines on: euthanasia of animals used in science).

Consult Article I of the MBCA for a list of birds federally protected in Canada. The Bird Banding Program includes both federally protected and non-federally protected species. Although part of the North American Bird Banding Program (NABBP), some birds such as owls, hawks, falcons, eagles, cormorants, pelicans, crows, jays, kingfishers, and some species of blackbirds are not protected federally. Provinces and territories have their own statutes protecting birds and other wildlife. Please contact provincial and territorial authorities where you intend to capture or disturb wildlife to ensure you have all necessary permits in place.

For species that are not federally protected, and for the purposes of participation in the NABBP, the federal banding permit is considered an agreement for the marking of provincially protected species with federal bird bands. The following statement can be found on the permit in French and English: “If the authorizations include any species that are not protected under the MBCA, this document represents an agreement between Environment Canada and the holder for the use of federal bird bands on those species. All conditions listed on the back of this document apply”.

Some species that are not native to North America such as House Sparrow, European Starling and Garganey Teal have well-established breeding populations in North America and are part of the banding program.

When describing your banding experience, include information about your hands-on experience with techniques and species or species groups. Also, include information about trainers and mentors, courses, and workshops you have attended, certifications you have obtained, internships you have participated in, and any other relevant experience. Applicants must already be trained in the techniques for which they are applying.

If applying for an amendment to your permit, describe your training and skill level for any new species group or authorization requested.

Prior field experience in euthanasia of birds is not required to obtain a permit, however applicants are expected to be familiar with the emergency protocols and be ready to implement them if required.

3.2.2 Collaborating permittees

Scientific Banding permits do not have the option to list nominees. List any collaborating permit holders who are qualified to work on the project/program and activities. Provide the names, bird banding permit numbers, and a list of authorizations required by any collaborators who will be undertaking project/program activities without supervision. Authorizations are listed in Table 3.IS.1 below. Add additional rows as required. If authorizations for collaborators are being requested for the first time (have not been listed on their permits previously), describe their training and experience with the species group or technique.

3.2.3 Species

Important: Fill in Module 7 of the application if you will affect a migratory bird species that is protected by the MBCA and is also listed on Schedule 1 of the federal Species at Risk Act as extirpated, endangered, or threatened.

Contact your regional CWS office for more information about banding SAR species not protected by the MBCA, on federal lands. Contact your local provincial/territorial authority to ensure you have the appropriate permits to affect SARA-listed species not protected by the MBCA.

3.2.3.1 Target species/group species request and banding experience

In the first column, check the boxes for the species groups or bird species you are requesting authorization to capture and band. In the second and third columns, list the number of species and individuals you have banded for all species groups even if you are not requesting authorization for them so that we can better evaluate your overall banding experience. If you are requesting to band a single or a few target species only, write them in the “specific species” section. Please visit the U.S Geological Survey (USGS) website for a complete list of species in the banding program (Species Table and Recommended Band Sizes).

If you are requesting authorization to band hummingbirds, fill in the two last questions to demonstrate that only properly formed bands will be placed on hummingbirds. You must have the required tools and be trained in the proper techniques to prepare these bands or inform us of who will prepare the bands for your project/program.

3.2.3.2 Non-target species

Non-target species refer to bird species that are not directly targeted but may be impacted indirectly as a result of the activities. If these species are unintentionally captured, they must be handled and released according to your protocol and permit.

3.2.4 Capture methods and additional authorizations

Check the boxes for the capture methods and additional authorizations you are requesting. See Table 3.IS.1 and Table 3.IS.2 at the end of this document for a list of authorizations and auxiliary markers. For auxiliary markers, complete Module 3, Section 2 and for biological sampling, complete Module 4.

Describe your experience with all capture methods requested. Authorization for the use of cannon, rocket nets, capture using drugs or capture using dogs requires a letter written by your trainer attesting to your training and competency for using the method safely. Include a detailed protocol or standard operating procedure (SOP) on the use of cannon or rocket nets with your application. The authorizations for banding captive birds at release require the relevant additional Scientific Permit number issued by a CWS permit office. See the guidelines document: Banding Captive Birds at Release (Banding Captive Birds at Release) on the topic.

3.2.5 Data management

Describe your experience and competency with data collection, record keeping, report submission and whether or not you are familiar with the Bander Portal and its data codes (Understanding BBL Codes). Information about accessing the Portal will be provided to you at permit issuance. It is your responsibility to submit your data to the banding program using the Bander Portal and ensure high data quality.

Please indicate how you intend to manage additional data collected under your banding permit. When submitting banding data through the Bander Portal, there are several required fields (Band Number, Disposition, Species, Age, Sex, Banding Date, Bird Status, and Banding Location). All other information collected during banding operations is considered additional data and some can be submitted to the BBO/BBL database as additional pre-defined fields (for example weight, tarsus length, wing chord, biological samples, veterinary techniques etc.) or user-defined fields. Additional data can also be sent to other data repositories, such as the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network (Canadian Migration Monitoring Network), Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (Bird Pop), Avian Knowledge Network (Avian Knowledge), etc.

The BBO requires that all tracking data collected under your permit using an electronic device attached to a bird be submitted to a suitable long-term data repository where it can be safely archived for future analysis. We strongly recommend that you also make the data publicly available to maximize the value of the data for conservation and science. Examples of repositories for tracking data include Movebank (Movebank ), Motus Wildlife Tracking System (Motus Wildlife Tracking System), Seabird Tracking Database (Seabird Tracking Database - Tracking Ocean Wanderers) and other government repositories.

Section 3: Marking – Banding and Auxiliary Markers (Visual and Electronic)

An auxiliary marker is any marker or device placed on a bird that is not the standard federal band. Please indicate if you require permission to use auxiliary markers (visual and electronic) by checking the appropriate box.

3.3.1 Procedures

Describe your proposed methods for all procedures for attaching auxiliary markers (visual and/or electronic) or attach relevant protocols, SOPs or AUPs.

3.3.2 Training and experience

Describe your training and experience with auxiliary markers methods. Provide as much detail as possible (e.g., names of trainers, locations, projects, number of individuals of each species on which you placed markers, etc.)

3.3.3 Colour marking scheme

If you will apply colour bands, please include the colour combinations and positions on the leg that you would like to use. Be sure to indicate where you will be placing the federal metal band as well. Your request will be taken into consideration, but already existing project/programs have priority. The BBO coordinates colour-banding to reduce the chance of overlap in marking schemes. Due to higher hatch-year mortality in most species, please consider cohort banding when colour-banding nestlings at nest sites to reduce the need for individual colour combinations. For example, band all nestlings with the same colour each year (for example, one red band for 2024 on upper right leg, one blue band for 2025 on upper right leg), adding a second individualized band once these nestlings return the next year (for example black over red for bird one and blue over red for bird two, etc.). See the Canadian Bird Banding Manual for more information.

3.3.4 Authorization description table

Please list all auxiliary markers you plan to attach, using the codes provided in Table 3.IS.2 below. For each auxiliary marker type, include an estimate of how many markers will be used. Include the make and model number of any electronic devices you intend to attach, and their mass (g). The standard metal federal band is not an auxiliary marker and does not need to be listed here, unless using an anodized (00B) or painted (00C) version.

Module 4: Capture, Kill, Injure and/or Harass Migratory Birds, Damage, Destroy, Remove and/or Disturb Nests and/or Destroy, Take and/or Disturb Eggs for Scientific or Educational Purposes

Section 1: Activities

4.1.1 Proposed activity

Please check all boxes that may apply.

An activity that harasses a living member of a protected species is one that disrupts its normal behaviour in a manner that adversely affects the ability of the member to carry out one or more of its life processes.

4.1.2 Procedures

Applicants are expected to provide sufficient detail to allow an evaluation of the methodologies and appropriateness of the proposed techniques for the species and life stage of the study subjects (insufficient detail will delay permit assessment). Details such as handling time, calculations for volume of blood, needle gauge and end points should be included.

Check the box if additional documents have been included in the application. Please list document name(s).

4.1.3 Training and experience

Provide as much detail as possible.

Check the box if additional documents have been included in the application. Please list document name(s).

Section 2: Alternatives and Mitigation

4.2.1 Considerations of alternatives

Demonstrate that you have considered whether there are less invasive alternatives that would provide similar results, e.g., a survey could answer the study question, the study minimizes the number of individuals disturbed, etc. Detail alternative methods to the proposed activity, such as not undertaking the proposed activity. Provide a rationale as to why the proposed activity is preferred.

Please refer to the CCAC’s Three Rs and avian ethics (Canadian Council on Animal Care) to ensure you have sufficiently considered options for replacement, reduction, and refinement.

4.2.2 Minimizing risk and harm

Proposed procedures and techniques should minimize risk of harm to individuals and the environment. Researchers should strive to maximize knowledge gained from each individual. Placing auxiliary markers, taking biological samples, and performing veterinary procedures are additional techniques that have a higher chance to impact birds. Please indicate how you have considered animal welfare in your protocol by answering the questions. For further reading on harm mitigation and The Three Rs – replacement, reduction, and refinement - visit the CCAC website (https://ccac.ca/).

4.2.3 Injuries and mortalities

Depending on the circumstances, appropriate responses to a bird injury could include immediate release, applying first aid, temporary holding of an injured bird for up to 24 hours until recovery, transport to a licensed rehabilitator, euthanasia, etc.

A condition of scientific permits is if a bird is injured during the permitted activities and cannot be rehabilitated or released, the permit holder may euthanize the bird to prevent further suffering. Permit holders should know how to determine when euthanasia is necessary, and they should be trained in which method to use, how to confirm death and how to safely dispose of dead birds in a sanitary manner. See the CCAC's guidelines: wildlife in general (Canadian Council on Animal Care) and specifically for birds.

Use the checkboxes to indicate which of the services you are able to provide in case of an injury to a migratory bird.

4.2.4 Additional mitigation measures and risk management

Using the checkboxes, indicate which mitigation measures and/or precautions will be taken to minimize risk and disturbance to birds and the environment. If “Other” is selected, please provide a description of the mitigation measures. If you have supporting documentation that can provide additional information (for example: pre-existing plans) please check the “Supporting documentation attached” box to indicate you have done so.

Section 3: Tables

4.3.1 Authorization description tables

Please list all biological samples you plan to collect, or veterinary procedures you intend to perform by species. For each type of biological collection or veterinary procedure, include where on the bird the collection or procedure will be performed, the size/volume of an individual sample (biological collections only), and an estimate of how many birds will be sampled or have procedures performed on them. The final column is an estimate of the total number of birds of that species that will be sampled. For example, if an applicant intends to take feathers and a blood sample from 50 Dunlin, this number would be 50. However, if they intend to take feathers from 50 Dunlin and take a blood sample from 50 other Dunlin, this number will be 100.

Module 5: Possess Live Specimen (Live Specimen Collection and Rehabilitation Facilities)

Section 1: General Information

5.1.1 Species

If you will be taking specific species of migratory birds for rehabilitation, please indicate which ones. If you can accept all species, write “all”. If you will be admitting federally-listed migratory bird species at risk, you must fill out Module 7. For the estimated maximum number of birds that can be admitted, it is the facility capacity at a given time and not a yearly maximum.

5.1.2 Training

Indicate what hands-on experience you have with capturing and /or caring for live migratory birds and where or how you acquired them. Provide information on activities such as: capturing, handling, feeding and the types of treatment you will provide. You must have a minimum of 100 hours of hands-on experience gained over the course of at least one year (up to 20 hours can be obtained through courses or seminars).

Reference your CAZA accreditation here.

5.1.3 Procedures

Indicate the procedure(s) that you will be using for capturing and/or transporting birds from the wild.

5.1.4 Facility description (provide a written description or attach a floor plan and photographs)

Provide a description of the facilities and enclosures in which the migratory birds will be held. Provide photographs and drawings of the facility. Animal care facilities must be separate from human living and recreation areas.

The standards used by the CWS to assess the facilities are the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC) Minimum Standards for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (Standards In Wildlife Rehabilitation), therefore it is recommended that you use these as a guide when setting up and equipping the facility.

Note: You have to be a paying member to access the document.

Section 2: For Rehabilitation Facilities Only

5.2.1 Provincial, territorial inspection certificate, rehabilitation licence, permit number or other applicable certification

Please indicate the certification, licence or permit number if you select yes.

5.2.2 International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC) Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator

Please indicate whether the applicant or a permanent staff member is IWRC-certified.

5.2.3 Veterinarian

Indicate whether the applicant, a permanent staff member or another individual will be providing veterinary services (and their name). A consulting veterinarian is a veterinarian who has agreed to advise a rehabilitation facility on the care of a patient, such as providing information on a diagnosis, management of care or interpretation of test results. Affiliated or consulting veterinarians may be added as nominees (in instances where that individual is providing veterinary services, but they are not the applicant or permanent staff member); however, the individual’s current licence or licence number must also be attached.

5.2.4 Service area or scope of response service

Indicate the catchment area for your services (radius of the facility).

Section 3: Risk Management (Not Applicable to Rehabilitation)

5.3.1 Risk to live migratory birds

Describe the potential for the spread of disease, or injury to the migratory birds, as well as how these risks will be addressed. Proposed procedures and techniques should minimize risk of harm to individuals and the environment. Researchers should strive to maximize knowledge gained from each individual.

Module 6: Possess dead migratory birds, eggs and nests

Section 1: General Collection Information

6.1.1 Collection information

A collection can be a single specimen or multiple specimens. Please check the box that applies to your collection.

6.1.2 Possess migratory birds, their parts, eggs, and/or nests under a collection

Please check the appropriate box(es) listing the desired addition(s) to your collection.

6.1.3 Preserving or storing migratory birds, their parts, eggs and/or nests as part of a collection

Please check the appropriate box(es) that apply to your collection(s).

Module 7 – Species at Risk

Section 1: SARA Information

This module must be completed if any migratory bird that is also a federally listed species at risk (extirpated, endangered or threatened) may be affected by the activities to be conducted under the permit.

Note: Your federal banding permit will NOT be SARA compliant for species of provincial/territorial jurisdiction (e.g., Burrowing Owl). Visit the SARA E-Permitting website (Species at Risk Act Permit System) for more information about banding SARA-listed species not protected by the MBCA on federal lands and to apply for a permit. If you plan to collect biological samples from species of provincial/territorial jurisdiction, contact your local authority to ensure you have the appropriate permits. Biological samples are listed on the federal permit to track activities conducted on all species and facilitate reporting of these important data to the NABBP.

Consult the SARA Public Registry (Birds protected by the Migratory Birds Convention Act and protected under SARA Schedule 1) for an up-to-date list of federally-listed species at risk. BBO can issue scientific permits to capture and band (including marking and biological sample collection as appropriate) MBCA-protected migratory birds listed as threatened, endangered or extirpated on SARA. Species listed as special concern do not require a SARA permit. For species not protected by the MBCA, and if you are working off federal lands, contact your provincial authority. If working with SARA-listed species other than those protected by the MBCA, and on federal lands, contact your Regional CWS Office. If you are not targeting Species at Risk (SAR), you must do everything possible to avoid capturing a SAR.

Authorization to capture and band SARA-listed species requires the completion of Module 7 for each project/program that may affect a SAR. Module 7 information is also required each time the permit has expired, and you are requesting renewal. List the possible species at risk that could be captured during banding operations for a project/program and indicate whether the project/program will specifically target a SAR for capture or if it will be captured as part of a bird community study (e.g., migration monitoring). If you intend to capture and band federally protected species at risk (SAR), your activities and the SAR species must be authorized on your SARA-compliant scientific banding permit.

In accordance with regulatory requirements, certain information such as the permit number, permit duration and a description of the activities will be posted on the Species at Risk Public Registry (Birds protected by the Migratory Birds Convention Act and protected under SARA Schedule 1).

7.1.1 Purpose of project/program activities involving SAR (as per SARA Section 73 (2))

Under section 73(2) of the SARA, a permit may be issued only for one or more of the reasons listed. Please select the appropriate purpose(s). Briefly describe how your project/program fulfills the criterion.

7.1.2 Alternatives

Demonstrate that you have considered all reasonable alternatives. One of the alternatives to the activity that must be considered is the option of not undertaking the activity.

7.1.3 Mitigation measures

Provide thorough description of all feasible mitigation measures that will be taken. Attach any relevant documents.

7.1.4 Effect on survival or recovery

Include as much information as possible. Your assessment of whether the activity will not jeopardize the survival or recovery of the species should include considerations for the population and distribution objectives as described in the SARA recovery strategy.

Section 2: SARA-Listed Species

Check the appropriate box(es) to indicate if you request authorization to affect SARA-listed species or it is possible that you might affect SARA-listed species.

If you checked the first box, indicate the SARA-listed species you are requesting authorization for, the number of individuals, and the proposed activity.

If you checked the second box, indicate the SARA-listed species you are requesting authorization for and the proposed activity.

To see which species are listed in your area, visit the SARA registry (Birds protected by the Migratory Birds Convention Act and protected under SARA Schedule 1).