Ringed birds

The Ringing Centre at Finnish Museum of Natural History Luomus coordinates bird ringing activities in Finland. The centre is responsible for, among other things, the maintenance of databases, the selection and training of ringers, as well as the quality control of their work.
Live ringed bird

If for some reason you get your hands on a live ringed bird or manage to read the ring of a bird with a coloured or numbered ring: Carefully write down the text inscribed on the ring, leave the ring on the bird’s leg, release the bird and submit a ring recovery report to the Finnish Ringing Centre using this online form. Also note the colour and the location of the ring (which foot and in which order).
Dead ringed bird

If you have photos of a bird found dead, you may send them using an online form or by email to rengastustoimisto@helsinki.fi. Photos where the code on the ring can be seen are particularly important (e.g., photos of rings removed from a bird and unbent). However, the details of ringed birds found dead should be reported even if it is not possible to photograph the ring. A letter with information about the bird will be sent to the finder.

Remember to remove the ring from the leg of the dead bird. Remember to always wash your hands thoroughly after touching an animal you have found dead. Straighten the ring and attach it with tape to a sheet of paper; if left unstraightened, the ring can break the envelope and fall out. You will have to acquire the envelope or other packaging material yourself. Write the following information in the letter:

  • The text inscribed on the ring in its entirety: country, ringing centre, letter symbol and number series
  • Recovery date
  • Place of recovery as accurately as possible
  • Estimation of the manner and time of the bird’s death
  • Your name and an address where the Ringing Centre can send information about the bird you found

Mail the letter to the Ringing Centre as soon as possible.

You can send the letter without a postage fee when you fill in the following contract information on the envelope:

Customer return
Agreement 127167
Invoicing code 606422
Finnish Museum of Natural History Luomus
PO Box 17
00014 University of Helsinki

Also ringed birds found dead that are in good condition can be brought or sent to the Finnish Museum of Natural History Luomus. 

Remember to always wash your hands thoroughly after touching an animal you have found dead. You will have to acquire the envelope or other packaging material yourself. Write the following information in the letter:

  • The text inscribed on the ring in its entirety: Land, ringing centre, letter symbol and number series
  • Recovery date
  • Place of recovery as accurately as possible
  • Estimate of the manner and time of the bird’s death
  • Your name and address where the Ringing Centre can report the information about the bird you found

Mail the letter to the Ringing Centre as soon as possible.

You can send the letter without a postage fee when you fill in the following contract information on the envelope:

Customer return
Agreement 127167
Invoicing code 606422
Conservation/Finnish Museum of Natural History Luomus
PO Box 17
00014 University of Helsinki