Also called banding. Birds may be marked to allow recognition as individuals or members of a particular (limited) group to study behaviour, migration, etc. Three techniques are used: 1) split ringing: little bands of metal are fixed round tarsus or tibia of the bird, and wing clips or little safety-pin like gadgets that are passed through the patagium and secured, 2) colour ringing: colour rings are usually made out of celluloid (also aluminium or plastic) and have a specific colour code that for instance allows recognition of an individual in the field, and 3) close ringing: contrary to split rings, where the ring is folded around the birds leg, the closed ring is applied to young birds where the feet are still small enough to slip the ring on. Once the foot is fully grown the ring can not be taken off. This technique is used by pigeon keepers to establish ownership.

Alternative forms for ring : ringed, ringing, rings.