Why Buy From Us?

This is a business run by ornithologists, for ornithologists. When you purchase from the AFO, you will:

• Help Student Research: 100% of the profits from our sales are used to fund student research grants.
• Save Money: AFO members get a 10% discount.

	Products Available: Mist-nets Bags Calipers Magnifiers Pliers Banding tools Leg gauges Scales
VISIT OUR ONLINE STORE FOR YOUR BANDING SUPPLY NEEDS

About AFO Banding Supplies

The Association of Field Ornithologists sells the highest-quality Japanese mist nets and other supplies. Cheaper mist nets can be found, but they are of lower quality, and/or are manufactured to supply unethical bird traders. AFO sells nets only for scientific purposes and only to individuals and institutions that are licensed to use them.

Net Description

All nets are made of black nylon (except ATXs is made of sand-colored nylon and KTX is made of black polyester thread) and are tethered to prevent bunching in a breeze. In the specifications below, height is as designated by our manufacturer (users should allow slack in order to form shelf pockets). Mesh size figures are stretched netting, i.e. the longest possible distance. Denier indicates the weight of thread (lower is lighter and less visible to birds). All yarn is two-ply, except ETX (four ply).

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Choice of Mist Net Types

Net choice is partly a matter of personal preference, but here are some general guides. In general, use 12 meter types if you have the space, and 6 meter only where space is limited. The best mesh size depends on the species to be captured. No one size is efficient for all sizes of birds; outside the proper range of size, the net may be inefficient, become tangled, or birds may damage the net.

• 24 mm - Specialty size for kinglets and smallest wood warblers
  
• 30 mm -Recommended for wood warblers in general. The line of peak efficiency between this and 36mm falls between birds taking U.S. band size 1 or less (30mm) and those taking 1B or larger (36mm). (See Bird Banding 37:280-286.)
  
• 36 mm - General purpose size for small birds (see above).
  
• 61 mm - Doves, grackles, medium-sized shorebirds, the largest thrushes
  
• 121 mm - Grouse, large shorebirds, small to medium-sized ducks and hawks

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Prices and Shipping

Shipping costs are extra and can be provided at the time of your order. We make every effort to deliver by the desired date, but requests should consider the limitations of the postal or other carrier services. Note that we do not ship via freight forwarders or consolidators.

Please note that our prices may change when our costs change. If you need a firm price quote it would be best to check by contacting us shortly before placing your order. Massachusetts customers should add sales tax (currently 5%) unless exempt under law.

For Shipments Outside the U.S., the Purchaser Must:

1. arrange any import license or other formalities;
   
2. pay any customs duties or other charges levied by his or her country; and
   
3. send full payment in U.S. dollars for the nets with the order.

Postage costs will be billed later in a separate invoice. If you are a new customer from outside the U.S. or Canada, we also require a letter describing how the nets will be used. Your letter should identify the person responsible for use of the nets. We also require a copy of any permits required by your country for capturing wild birds. If no permits are required, then please provide us with the names, addresses, and telephone/fax numbers of 3 professional wildlife experts who are familiar with your work. If possible, please include one name of an ornithologist or person known by international conservation organizations.

Making Your Order

Please visit our online store at: http://catalog.manomet.org/catalog/cart.cgi

NOTE: All persons ordering nets must provide their permit number. Institutional purchasing agents should name the individual(s) responsible for use of the nets and provide their permit number. AFO sells nets only for scientific purposes, and only to individuals and institutions that appear qualified to use them. We will decline sales where qualifications appear inadequate or unproven. Nets will not be sold for purposes such as control of the numbers of birds, for commercial collection, or for resale.

For further information, contact:

AFO MIST NETS, Manomet, Inc.
P.O. Box 1770
Manomet, MA 02345, USA
Telephone: 508-224-6521
Fax: 508-224-9220
Email: AFOBAND@manomet.org