The Greenland Bird-Banding System

Abstract

Describes program of Ministeriet for Gronland and Universitetets Zoologiske Museum, Kobenhavn, initiated in 1946, with note of earlier banding by Dr. Bertelsen (reported in AB. No. 1475). Settlement and outpost managers (approx. 80) organize local banding on standard instructions in Eskimo and Danish (illus.) and forward records at end of season to the Museum. A total of 30,215 birds were ringed during 1946-1954, and 2,474 recovered, mostly shot and mostly (2,291) in Greenland. Data are tabulated for species (39), also recovery percentages for the more common forms. Migration routes disclosed are briefly discussed. An arctic tern, banded in Disko and recovered in Natal 18,000 km distant in less than three months, is signalized as the longest flight recorded by banding. Addendum offers further recovery data (abroad) and first results from East Greenland banding initiated in 1955.