Massachusetts

Last updated April 2023

Contact

Bob Arini
MA Department of Fisheries, Wildlife & Law Enforcement
251 Causeway Street, Suite 400
Boston, MA 02114-2151
Phone (617) 626-1575

Is a state permit required for banding?

Yes. The regulation states:
(4) Categories of Permits. Permits which may be issued pursuant to G.L. c. 131, Sec. 4(2) may   include, but not be limited to, bird-banding, salvage, and scientific collecting permits, or letter permits incorporating specialized authorizations.

Permit application forms

  • Application Form for scientific collecting
  • Banding: not available online; contact the agency
  • Renewal; not available online; contact the agency
  • Threatened and Endangered – same application form
  • Salvage – not available online; contact the agency

Prior notice

Check permit conditions. Even if not expressly required to do so, you should always contact the manager of that particular state land unit or with the owner of private land before your arrival. You want to be aware of the hunting seasons, and, of course want to be sure that your activities will not interfere with the activities of that park, wildlife management area, or other state land unit, and that your activities will not adversely affect public use of the land or with the activities of private landowners.

Policies

321 Code of Massachusetts Regulations 2.02: Permits to Take or Possess

Threatened and Endangered Species

10.04: Taking and Possession of Species on State and Federal Lists

Listed bird species

E = endangered
T = threatened
SC = special concern

Grasshopper Sparrow

Ammodramus savannarum

T

Saltmarsh Sparrow

Ammospiza caudacuta

SC

Eastern Whip-poor-will

Antrostomus vociferus

SC

Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeus

E

Long-eared Owl

Asio otus

SC

Upland Sandpiper

Bartramia longicauda

E

American Bittern

Botaurus lentiginosus

E

Red Knot

Calidris canutus

T

Piping Plover

Charadrius melodus

T

Northern Harrier

Circus hudsonius

T

Sedge Wren

Cistothorus platensis

E

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

SC

Common Gallinule

Gallinula galeata

SC

Common Loon

Gavia immer

SC

Mourning Warbler

Geothlypis philadelphia

SC

Bald Eagle

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

SC

Least Bittern

Ixobrychus exilis

E

Leach’s Storm-petrel

Oceanodroma leucorhoa

E

Pied-billed Grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

E

Vesper Sparrow

Pooecetes gramineus

T

King Rail

Rallus elegans

T

Northern Parula

Setophaga americana

T

Blackpoll Warbler

Setophaga striata

SC

Roseate Tern

Sterna dougallii

E

Common Tern

Sterna hirundo

SC

Arctic Tern

Sterna paradisaea

SC

Least Tern

Sternula antillarum

SC

Eastern Meadowlark

Sturnella magna

SC

Barn Owl

Tyto alba

SC

Golden-winged Warbler

Vermivora chrysoptera

E