Library

The USFWS' Migratory Bird Program administers annual reports that present hunter activity and harvest estimates from Harvest Information Program surveys.  Reference materials for migratory game bird and wing ID are also included.

Notice - Updated on August 29, 2025 - Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are currently experiencing a low inventory of waterfowl envelopes and are awaiting delivery of additional envelopes. As such, there will be a delay in fulfilling waterfowl envelope requests. If you are a past participant and have remaining envelopes from past seasons, please use those envelopes until we are able to ship your new order. If you do not have any envelopes, please keep your tails or wings until your envelopes arrive making sure to record the date and location of harvest. We apologize for the delay and inconvenience.

Featured

Band-tailed pigeon wings
A Day in the Life of a Speciator
So what exactly is a speciator you might ask? The Parts Collection Survey, commonly referred to as the Wing Survey, asks a sample of hunters across the country to provide a wing from each duck and specified feathers from every goose they harvest during the upcoming season. These “parts� are used to...
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Migratory Species
Species, Age and Sex Identification of Ducks Using Wing Plumage
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Species, Age and Sex Identification of Ducks Using Wing Plumage

This publication contains procedures used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine the species, sex and age composition of the harvest of North American ducks using detached wings contributed by hunters.

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American Woodcock Sex and Age Techniques Poster
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American Woodcock Sex and Age Techniques Poster

Learn how to age and sex American woodcock with just a wing.  The Michigan Department of Natural Resources compiled known resources into one poster as a training tool for biologists in the field banding woodcock and for use in wingbees. 

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Identification Tips and Range Maps for Dove and Pigeon Species in the Migratory Bird Hunter/Harvest Survey
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Identification Tips and Range Maps for Dove and Pigeon Species in the Migratory Bird Hunter/Harvest Survey

Provides identification tips and range maps for dove and pigeon species in the Migratory Bird Hunter/Harvest Survey.  Species included: mourning dove, white-winged dove, band-tailed pigeon, and European collared‐dove.

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