South Carolina

Last updated April 2023

Contacts

For land birds:
Amy Tegeler
SCDNR – Bird Conservation Coordinator

For sea and shore birds:
Felicia Sanders
SCDNR – Sea and Shorebird Project Leader

For wading birds:
Christy Hand
SCDNR – Wading Bird Biologist

Is a state permit needed for banding?

Yes. See definition of ‘take’ in 50-11-1180.
SECTION 50-11-1180. Authority of department to issue permits to collect protected wildlife for scientific or propagating purposes; penalties.

For purposes of this section:

(a) “Take” means to harass, hunt, capture, or kill.

b) “Protected wildlife” means any wildlife, part, product, egg, offspring nest, dead body, or part thereof which is managed or protected or the taking of which is specifically regulated by the department.

Permit application forms

State lands

Indicate on application form

Prior notice

On every permit: This permit does not authorize collection on any property, public or private, without the consent of the owner or custodian thereof. This permit, neither directly nor by implication, grants the right of trespass.  Permittee must carry a legible copy of permit when engaging in the authorized activities. A report on the activities conducted under this permit must be submitted to SCDNR following the expiration of this permit, and before another permit will be issued.

Policies

South Carolina Code of Regulations Chapter 123. Department of Natural Resources ARTICLE 5. NON-GAME AND ENDANGERED SPECIES 123-150.3. Scientific Collecting Permit Required.

South Carolina state endangered species law

South Carolina Code of Regulations Chapter 123. Department of Natural Resources, Article 5. Non-game and Endangered species Section 123-150.2 2.

State-listed endangered bird species.

Bachman’s Warbler (Vermivora bachmanii)
Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii)
Eskimo Curlew (Numenius borealis)
Kirtland’s Warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii)
Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)
Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis)
Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus)
Wood Stork (Mycteria americana)

State-listed threatened bird species

American Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrines anatum)
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) [sic]
Common Ground Dove (Columbina passerina)
Least Tern (Sterna albifrons)
Wilson’s Plover (Charadrius wilsonia)