COLOR MARKINGS
used in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway
Available at http://www.eaaflyway.net/coordination-of-marking.php

EVERY SINGLE RESIGHTING IS IMPORTANT. If you observed a marked bird, please report the following information as much as
possible to relevant organizations: species, date, locality (with coordinates), color marks (type, color, and inscription of the marks),
photographs, circumstances and other relevant details, etc. Domestic/local banding schemes as well as contact persons in the following
tables are best focal points. Your reports will benefit migration studies and identification of key routes and habitats of migratory birds.

Laridae (gulls and terns)

You may find relevant information on color-marked gulls and terns in Europe on the http://www.cr-birding.org/ or 'European Colour-ring Birding: Gulls
and Terns' page mainly managed by Dirk Raes.

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Black-tailed Gull (Larus crassirostris)
Type

Country

Color

ExampleNotes

Contact information

Rishiri Island in Hokkaido in 2001 and 2002
In 2001, black letter A and three digits were used (A001Hokkaido Institute of Environmental
A059).
BlueSciences
In 2002, only 2 digits (A00-A99) were printed in five
Yamashina Institute for Ornithology
different colors: white, lavender (light purple), yellow, green,and dark blue.

Wing tagJapan
Teuri Island in Hokkaido in 2001 and 2002
In 2001, black letter A and three digits were used (A001Hokkaido Institute of Environmental
A150).
RedSciences
In 2002, only 2 digits (A00-A99) were printed in five
Yamashina Institute for Ornithology
different colors: white, lavender (light purple), yellow, green,and dark blue.
Rishiri Island in Hokkaido since 1998
Hokkaido Institute of Environmental

Leg flagJapanOn left tarsus
RedCSciences
A: Born in 1998, B: Born in 1999, C: Born in 2000, D: Born
Yamashina Institute for Ornithology
in 2001, E: Born in 2002
Teuri Island in Hokkaido since 1998
Hokkaido Institute of Environmental
On left tarsus

YellowA

Sciences
A: Born in 1998, B: Born in 1999, C: Born in 2000, D: Born
Yamashina Institute for Ornithology
in 2001, E: Born in 20022

Esashi Island in Hokkaido since 1998
Hokkaido Institute of Environmental
On left tarsus
GreenDSciences
A: Born in 1998, B: Born in 1999, C: Born in 2000, D: Born
Yamashina Institute for Ornithology
in 2001, E: Born in 2002
Okushiri Island in Hokkaido since 1998
Hokkaido Institute of Environmental
On left tarsus

BlueBSciences
A: Born in 1998, B: Born in 1999, C: Born in 2000, D: Born
Yamashina Institute for Ornithology
in 2001, E: Born in 2002

JapanWhiteA
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Hokkaido Institute of Environmental
White rings with black letters (A**) were used on Rishiri Island inSciences
Hokkaido in 2002
Yamashina Institute for Ornithology
Young-Soo KWON
(National Park Research Institute)

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GreenLeg ring

Green rings with white three digits mainly on Hongdo Island in
Wee-Haeng HUR
Gyeongnam Province since 2003
(NationalInstituteSouthResources)

Korea

Young-Soo KWON

for

Biological(National Park Research Institute)

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RedRed rings with white three digits on Dokdo Island in Gyeongbuk

Wee-Haeng HUR

Province in 2010
(NationalResources)3

InstituteforBiologicalFor more information on color marked BTGs in Japan, please visit the following sites (ウミネコ 動
http://www.hokkaido-ies.go.jp/topics/umineko/umineko.PDF
http://kic.web.infoseek.co.jp/needs_seeds/BirdWatching/paper/marking/marking.htm

Black-tailed Gull with a RED wing tag
Banded on Teuri Island in Hokkaido, Japan in 2002.
Observed at Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk Province, Korea on 15 January 2005.
Photo by Chang-Yong CHOI

4のと; Japanese only).

Saunders’s Gull (Larus saundersi)
TypeCountry

ColorExample

3 4

Notes

Contact information

Shuangtai Estuary National Nature Reserve in Liaoning Province since1996 (continued to 2006 at least)

Guogang ZHANG

Red
Combinations of alphabets and numbers as well as plain (National Bird Banding Center of China)

J 9flags had been used.

China
Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve in Shandong Province Guogang ZHANG
Green6 5since 2001 (continued to 2007 at least)(NBBCC)

Yancheng National Nature Reserve in Jiangsu Province since 1999 Guogang ZHANG

Leg flag

Blue

C B

(continued to 2008 at least)

Kisup LEE (Korea Waterbird Nework)

A 4SouthWhite

Jin-han KIM (NIBR)
Songdo reclaimed area in Incheon in 2003 and 2004

Korea

Kiyoaki OZAKI (YIO)

F 7
Japan

(NBBCC)

Yellow

3 7

Yamashina Institute for Ornithology

Northern Kyushu since 2007

Kiyoaki OZAKI (YIO)

Some birds may carry PTTs (satellite transmitters).

Yamashina Institute for Ornithology

5Relict Gull (Larus relictus)
TypeCountryColorLeg flag

China

OrangeExampleNotes

Contact information

4 6

Hongjianniao Lake in Yulin, Shaanxi Province since 2008

Guogang ZHANG(NBBCC)

Mongolian Gull (Larus mongolicus)
Formerly also known as Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)
TypeCountryColor

ExampleNotes

Contact information

Since 2004 in NE Mongolia and Russia (Dauria and Baikal)
Mongolia
Wing tag& Russia

On both wings, white wing tags with black four-characterWhiteAB
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Andreas Buchheim
code (upper row: two capital letters, lower row: two-digit
number)Please visit the following site to read a general introduction of the tagging program and recent resighting records of the tagged Mongolian Gulls.
http://www.birdskorea.org/Birds/Flagging/BK-FL-Watch-for-Mongulls-2004.shtml

One recent publication entitled ‘Taimyr Gulls: evidence for Pacific winter range, with notes on morphology and breeding (Klaas van Dijk et al. 2011)
contains a figure indicating Mongolian Gulls’ migration records from Baikal in Russia.

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Mongolian Gull (WHITE wing tags engraved 'AC38')
Banded at Airchan Nuur in Mongolia on 18 May 2005
Observed at Hongdo Island in South Korea on 13 Dec 2005
Photo by Jong-Gil PARK

Saunders’s Gull (RED flag engraved ‘34’)
Banded at Shuangtai Estuary NNR in Liaoning Province, China probably in 2001
Observed at Jongdal-ri, Jeju Province, Korea on 12 November 2003
Photo by Heu-man KANG

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Taimyr Gull (Larus taimyrensis)
Also known as Heuglin’s Gull (Larus heuglini), or formerly named Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)
TypeCountry

Color

ExampleNotes

Contact information

In 2001-02, a total of 32 adults was marked at Medusa bay,
Sergei Kharitonov (BRC Russia)
Wing tag

RussiaTaimyr, central Russia. This project consists of orange wing tags

OrangeBird Ringing Centre of Russia
with 2 black digits.
Red color rings engraved four digits were used at Mys Vostochny,Taimyr, central Russia

K015

Red

Bird Ringing Centre of Russia

15 adults marked in 1995 with the red color-rings(K001-K015).

Leg ring

Two adults ringed in 2005 with an engraved color-ring on eachRussia
Yellow

9leg.
Bird Ringing Centre of Russia
Yellow [3 horizontal bars] & Yellow [9]Yellow [Y] & Yellow [9]Similar or different kinds of engraved color-rings may be used (at least, for 12 adults in 2008),
Bird Ringing Centre of Russiabut details are not currently available.

For more information on this species (sometimes regarded as subspecies), please refer the recent article entitled ‘Taimyr Gulls: evidence for Pacific winterrange, with notes on morphology and breeding (Klaas van Dijk et al. 2011; available on the Gull Research Organisation (GRO) webpage)’.

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Taimyr Gull (ORANGE wing tags engraved '63')
Banded at Medusa bay in Russia on 25 June 2001
Photo by Leon Peters

Taimyr Gull (YELLOW leg rings engraved by black)
Banded at Mys Vostochny in Russia on 7 July 2005
Photo by Raymond Klaassen

9Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus)
TypeCountryRussia

Leg ringJapan

ColorExample

NotesRedX
M

Since 1993 in Kamchatka

GreenG9Since 1993 around Kyoto

Yellow

AVSince 1993 around Kyoto

Blue52Since 1993 around Kyoto

Contact information
Bird Ringing Centre of Russia
Nickolay GERASIMOVYamashina Institute for Ornithology
Hisashi SUGAWA

Yamashina Institute for Ornithology
Takeshi WADA

Yamashina Institute for Ornithology
Takeshi WADA

For more information on color marked BHGs in Japan, please visit the following site (Japanese only).
http://www3.alpha-net.ne.jp/users/jbbajbba/YURICRENG.htm
http://www.mus-nh.city.osaka.jp/wada/OBSG/Lr-rings.html

You may see a short movie clip on how to apply a color-ring to European BHGs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdSfmp49bSM

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Other terns (some Sterna spp. and Chlidonias spp.)
Little Tern (Sterna albifrons), Common Tern (Sterna hirundo), White-winged Black Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus), Whiskered Tern (Chlidoniashybridus), Crested Tern (Sterna bergii), Lesser Crested Tern (Sterna bengalensis), Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia), Bridled Tern (Sterna anaethetus)
TypeCountry

Color

ExampleNotes

Contact information

Though there is no flyway-level protocol for these species, many terns have been color-flagged in Australia and other areas as per the EAAF shorebird protocols(http://www.eaaflyway.net/documents/wg/eaaf_shorebird_flag_2011.pdf).

ABBBS
OrangeVictoria(Australian Bird and Bat BandingScheme)

Leg flagAustralia
ABBBS
Yellow

NW Australia(Australian Bird and Bat BandingScheme)

Carrie MA and Winnie KWOK
ChinaWhite(HongoverKong)

Yellow(Agriculture,For Bridled Terns in Hong KongandConservation Department, Hong KongSAR)
Yat-tung YU11Fisheries(Hong Kong Birdwatching Society)Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii)
TypeCountryColorJapanBlue

ExampleNotes

Contact information

Breeding grounds in Okinawa (i.e. Yagaji Islands and Minna Island)

Yamashina Institute for Ornithology
Coral islands in the Swain Reefs, southern Great Barrier Reef.

Australia

GreenLeg flag

•
White

Paul O’Neill

Roseate Terns (and Black-naped Terns Sterna sumatrana)(Dept. of the Environment, Water,

have been marked with a single, dark green leg flag on non-Heritage and the Arts)

breeding grounds (i.e. Gannet Cay, Frigate Cay, Bylund Cay,ABBBS

Bacchi Cay, Price Cay, Thomas Cay), captured during the(Australian Bird and Bat Banding

Austral winter only.

Scheme)Coral islands in the Swain Reefs, southern Great Barrier Reef

Australia

Kiyoaki OZAKI (YIO)

Paul O’Neill

Roseate Terns (and Black-naped Terns Sterna sumatrana) (Dept. of the Environment, Water,
have been marked with a single, white leg flag on non-Heritage and the Arts)

breeding grounds (i.e. Gannet Cay, Frigate Cay, Bylund Cay,ABBBS

Bacchi Cay, Price Cay, Thomas Cay), captured during the(Australian Bird and Bat Banding

12Austral summer only.

Scheme)Ciconiidae (storks)

Oriental White Stork (Ciconia boyciana)
Type

Country

Color

ExampleNotes

Contact information

Leg ring

RussiaYellow

032

Khinganski Nature Reserve

Bird Ringing Centre of Russia

Ardeidae (egrets and herons)

Swinhoe’s Egrets (Egreta eulophotes)
Type

Country

Color

ExampleNotes

Contact information

13

Leg ringSouth Korea

Yellow,
Red,Green,White,Orange,Blue,and
Light
Blue

The combinations of plain color rings (not engraved) were applied toleft, right, or both tibia(e) in 2002-2004 and in 2008.
Main color used: Yellow, Red, Green, White, Orange, Blue,Bo-Yeon HWANG

and Light Blue

(Kyunghee University)
More than 450 individuals in 10 breeding colonies along thewest coast of Korea (Changguyeop Islet, Seomeobyeol Islet,Hwangseo Islet, etc).

There is no flyway-level marking scheme for the threatened Swinhoe’s Egrets. The other color markings could be used for some local researches, though
no information is currently available. In example, a total of 381 chicks were color-banded on Sin-do (Shin-do) in South Korea in 1990-1991, and one wassighted again in Singapore in October 1992 (Mundkur 1993, BirdLife International 2001).

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Swinhoe’s Egret (LIGHT BLUE and YELLOW rings on its right tibia)

Swinhoe’s Egret (LIGHT BLUE and YELLOW rings on its right tibia)

Banded on Hwangseo Islet in South Korea on 19 June 2008

Banded on Hwangseo Islet in South Korea on 19 June 2008

Observed on Hwangseo Islet in South Korea on 8 August 2008

Observed on Baeknyeong Island in South Korea on 9 September 2008

Photo by Bo-Yeon HWANG

Photo by Jong-in CHOE

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Threskiornithidae (spoonbills and ibises)

Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor)
TypeCountryColor

ExampleNotes

Contact information
Bird Ringing Centre of Russia

Furugelm Island in South Primorye since 2009
BSCN

RU16White

RU** (since 2009) have been used.
(Black-faced Spoonbill Conservation
In 2006 and 2007, plain color rings were used.
Network)
Breeding islets mainly in Incheon since 2002

RedE38South Korea

K51

Kisup LEE

K31-K99 and K00 were used from 2002 to 2010

(Korea Waterbird Network)

E** have been used since 2010

BSCN

Some birds may carry plain color rings, PTTs and(Black-faced Spoonbill Conservation

radio transmitters.

Network)
Kiyoaki OZAKI (YIO)
Yamashina Institute for Ornithology

Japan

Yellow

J12Leg flag

RussiaNaha in Okinawa since 2004
BSCN
Some birds may carry plain color rings, and PTTs.
(Black-faced Spoonbill Conservation
Network)16

Yat-tung YU
Mai Po, Hong Kong since 1998
Green(Hong Kong)

A31

China

(Hong Kong Birdwatching Society)

Some birds may carry plain color rings, PTTs andBSCN

radio transmitters.

(Black-faced Spoonbill Conservation
Network)
Shih-hung WU

T37

Blue

Tainan since 1998

(Kaohsiung Wild Bird Society)

Some birds may carry plain color rings and PTTs.

BSCN(BFS Conservation Network)
Shih-hung WUTaiwanBlackT
20

Tainan in 2003
(Kaohsiung Wild Bird Society)Two rings (T20-T21) were used for birds recovered
BSCN
from the Botulism outbreak.
(BFS Conservation Network)
Shih-hung WU
Tainan in 2003

ChestnutT
34(Kaohsiung Wild Bird Society)
T22-T36 were used for birds recovered from theBSCN
Botulism outbreak.
(BFS Conservation Network)

Most of the Black-faced Spoonbills may carry plain color rings as well as engraved rings; however, some may have only color rings without engravedrings (i.e. ringed in North Korea). More detailed information on color-ringed Black-faced Spoonbill are available on the 'Color-banded Black-faced
Spoonbill Information System (http://bfsn.bfsa.org.tw/index.php)' managed by the Black-faced Spoonbill Conservation Network. You can report yourobservations online through this website.

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Black-faced Spoonbill (YELLOW rings engraved ‘J01’)
Banded on Okinawa Island in Japan on 10 March 2004
Observed on Okinawa Island in Japan on 11 Jan 2008
Photo by Chang-Yong CHOIBlack-faced Spoonbill (RED ring engraved ‘E37’ and other color rings)
Banded on Gaksi-am Islet in South Korea on 1 July 2011
Photo by Chang-Yong CHOI18Phalacrocoracidae (cormorants)

Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
TypeCountry

Color

ExampleNotes

Contact information

There is no international protocol for this species in the EAA Flyway.
However, many Great Cormorants have been color-marked in Japan following the domestic protocol, and some may migrate to adjacent countries.

Diverse shapes and colors were used for Great Cormorant marking in Japan; more information is available from the following sites.
Japanese Bird Banding Association: http://www3.alpha-net.ne.jp/users/jbbajbba/KAWAUCRENG.htm
Color-ringed Great Cormorants (Japanese): http://www6.ocn.ne.jp/~cring973/colony.html

The ‘Colour-ringing Projects in Europe and Middle East’ for Great Cormorants is available from the following site.
http://web.tiscalinet.it/sv2001/co_rings/cormo_cr_project1.htm

Last update: 28 May 2013
For more information or for error correction, please contact Dr. Judit Szabo, the Science Officer of the EAAF Partnership Secretariat.

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