Microchipping and new leg rings?

[JaydeParrot]

I have questions about two open ring senegals, they were bought second hand and the leg rings were put on by the last owner meaning that if they ever got lost and someone tried to give them back, they would be sent back to the original owners.

Would it be in my best interest to buy new open rings from a parrot society and get them new IDs or is there a different way to do this.

Also, I was thinking of getting them both microchipped so no matter what they will always be identifiable. Was wondering how intrusive microchipping is for a Senegal, if you would recommend it and what the pros and cons are of microchipping?

Thanks.

[marie83]

Ok, I've looked into this myself for small birds and whilst it can be done I decided against it for the reasons listed below. If things change in the future regarding vets/rescues etc routinely scanning new animals to their surgeries then I may reconsider...

In the meantime get a load of photos, some with you in if possible, particuarly of any distinctive/unusual marks and make notes of any unusual behavioural quirks, tricks and talking. All this will help build some sort of profile. Of course behaviours change over time so what a bird may do with you may be different in a new place but its still a good idea. Split rings can be good but remember they can be removed by people with less than good intentions so still relies alot on their finder being a decent human being.

Pros of microchipping-

You will always be able to prove the birds are yours should they get lost/stolen and ownership is up for debate.

Cons of microchipping-

-Even the newer mini microchips are still pretty damn large for such a small animal.
-Need anasthetic to put them in.
-Relies on someone finding the bird AND being willing to tell the rescues/vets they have found the bird and ask for it to be scanned, not many people know you can chip birds.
-Vets and shelters rarely scan birds routinely, hell the vets dont even scan new dogs/cats of new clients as routine to see if they have been reported stolen so pretty slim chance of it ever being returned to you if someone was trying to pass the bird off as their own.
-Its usually more expensive to microchip a bird than a dog- because of the need to anethatise and the fact someone with a ton of experience in chipping birds needs to do it.
- Microchips can move and I've head horror stories of birds mutilating themselves to pick the chips out (unlikely if done by someone experienced but still a risk) I'm not sure how true these stories are but I do know what birds are capable of if something is causing discomfort.

[Eric&Rebecca]

I've also heard that even with a fully grown bird the motions of flying can cause the chip to move around and cause untold damage and infections.

[JaydeParrot]

Cool, thanks for the info one the microchipping but what does everyone think about new leg rings, I was thinking of get an unusual colour like pink so they would be able to be described better in a missing advert.

[Eric&Rebecca]

Leg rings can work but if the bird doesn't like it they can seriously hurt themselves but pecking at it and causing open wounds. Also there's the risk that the ring could get caught on something. Luckily our birds are pretty distinctive but the ring may be a better plan

[janetafloat]

I just had exactly this conversation with my specialist avian vet. He said that he happily microchips any bird over 50g. On the other hand, this would only be of use if the bird is found by someone who actively looks for the owner and without any visible sign of ownership I agree with Marie83 that no-one may think to scan the bird for a microchip. My specialist vet charges £80 to microchip. With regards the horror stories though, I think you need to have a vet you trust and go by what they say. There's always horror stories, but it may well be that they're not true, or exaggerated, or the result of someone less than qualified doing it, etc etc.

On the other hand, split rings are very visible though of course can be removed if the bird is stolen or lost and the finder decides to keep it. There's always the risk that it can catch on something in the bird's environment. Or that the bird may chew at it, and itself, in the process if it's not used to wearing a ring - though your birds are already wearing rings so that may not be a problem. In your case, I would at least replace them with rings that are registered to you, if you decide to stay with rings.

[JaydeParrot]

Thanks for all the replies, I always figured that if I got the bird microchipped it would be forever identifiable- If I saw a bird and was convinced it was mine I could prove it.

The internet doesn't seem to have much on tattooing, does anyone know anything about ID tattooing for parrots/How dangerous is it?

I want to replace the leg rings on my parrots but am not sure on how to do it- I take it I don't remove and replace leg rings myself but who could I get to do that for me? Both aren't too fond of being handled...