The biological staff and volunteers of the Mid-Columbia River Refuges Complex have participated in the banding of migratory songbirds and ducks for five years.  The duck banding program at McNary Wildlife Refuge provides invormation on life history, population numbers and migration routes.  Ducks are generally banded in August when they are in eclipse plumage.  Ducks molt their feathers and are briefly flightless while they grow new feathers.  The information taken goes into a data base for use in determining hunting regulations and species protection.

The metal band placed around the duck's leg has a number specific to that bird.  The bander visually takes information on species, sex and approximate age.  All the U.S. banding information is sent to a Maryland laboratory.  When a hunter harvests a banded bird, he/she calls the 1-800 number on the band and reports the band number along with information on where and when the bird was taken.  In return, the hunter is sent a card telling where and when the bird was banded.  Birds banded at McNary Wildlife Refuge have been harvested as far away as Texas, Mexico and even Russia.

The Ducks Unlimited organization, McNary staff and Friends cosponsor the annual event.