Leg band

[Pomlover2586]

Wondering how many of you have removed your birds leg band and if so why? Also what are your bands made of?

Iago doesn't seem bothered by his band, but I am considering removing it to prevent accidents.

[marie83]

I haven't ever removed them from my birds as they are the only identification they have. Mine are too small for microchips.

As long as you choose and safety check all furniture (perches, toys) in the cage carefully the risks are fairly low.

When I was new to bird keeping I stupidly left the cardboard labels on attatched with those plastic tags on new toys because someone told me they always did, they were safe and the birds loved ripping them off. Ok birds do love ripping them off but those plastic tag things, that hold the card labels on, slipped in between the leg and a ring on one of my birds and got stuck. I was home thank god and cut the tag of straight away, no harm was done apart from a bit of a fright. I have never ever left them on since.
That was the only incident I've ever had with them and that was only because I was careless.

[Polarn]

First off over here your not allowed to keep cites A listed birds without legband and proper documention or atleat not trade with them. non of my birds are listed though so thats not a reason for me to keep the bands. And only Polarn my amazon currently has a legband and that is his identification, even though big enough to get a microchip I still consider the legband being the better option as of now, for two reasons 1. most people doesnt have a reader at hand at home to scan for the number and then make a search in the registry to see who the owner is and his/hers contact info.
2. most people would probably not even think about the bird might being tagged with a microchip just yet, it is common practice on cats and dogs nowdays so that when you find a dog you either know someone who has a scanner or you viti the vet or olice station to get it scanned. while with a bid most has a ring or are unmarked so the first instinct when not finding id isnt to scan them (with dogs / cats etc the equivalent of the band would most likely be a tatoo).

The Galah I just brought home I am considering buying a band for and put it on. just for her to have her identity and my contact info listed with it. as for smaller birds I've never had one with a band but it seems as if they might be more bothered with it since it still has to be big enough to be readable, but will definitly look into it , but ive never really seen a cockatiel och budgie with a band so do wanna look at it first upclose in person.

What might make me consider changing my mind, when the standard practice is to use microchips to identify birds, when it is as with most dogs here being marked with a microchip before they go home to their new owners, a change like that would change the instincts of the general population to actually check the bird for a chip, hence i would feel more contible having one chipped than I would right now, today.

[Polarn]

oh, I might add that I actually have thought about adding a chip if their ever in for something else where they have to be sleeping anyways, but thats mostly paranoia about someone not trying to return the bird to me incase of an escape or robbery. but still wouldnt remove the band TBH

[liz]

I took Rambo's band off. He has an ongoing foot problem and he would preen the skin around it until it bled.

I was thinking about a little silver band with my cell phone number on it. I have had the same cell number for 20 years now and will probably always have it.

Myrtle did not have a band but she is vain and would probably like a shiny one.

[Polarn]

ofc I would too remove the band if it in any way caused problem. but not because I dont like the look of it.

[marie83]

I took Rambo's band off. He has an ongoing foot problem and he would preen the skin around it until it bled.

I was thinking about a little silver band with my cell phone number on it. I have had the same cell number for 20 years now and will probably always have it.

Myrtle did not have a band but she is vain and would probably like a shiny one.

Good idea about the cell number but bare in mind the split rings are easily removed with no special tools if he ever got out/stolen and someone decided to keep him. It will still offer a better chance of recovery though.

[Fportilla77]

My parrotlet has a leg band and im not removing it because it doesn't bother my bird at all. It just likes to play with it sometimes.

[Grey_Moon]

I can't answer as to whether or not Jacko ever had a band---but she didn't when she came to me.
I've debated getting her microchipped but the thought of having to anesthetize her scares me (theoretically she's big enough to just poke it in according to some vets---but she gets stressed when being towelled to the point where she'll regurgitate if her crop is full so I'd rather they put her under for something like that) and she already plucks. I'm paranoid she'll try to dig it out and end up killing herself.

Unfortunately, I do not think that either is really a piece of mind. Its rare enough for people to check stray/lost cats/dogs etc for microchips--let alone parrots. Nevermind that from what I understand they are not universal---so if your bird has A but the scanner is type B...you're out of luck.

Leg bands are hard enough to trace to the breeder--let alone who bought the bird from there. They're also easy to cut off or to fake as 'im the breeder' in cases of people re-selling these birds on the black market.

Its a sad fact that we do not have adequate means to identify lost birds.

[machme]

Wondering how many of you have removed your birds leg band and if so why? Also what are your bands made of?

I took one of Christian leg band of about 7 years ago as he got he toes stuck in it but now i cant find the band and i know it must have information on it and to this day dont know what it says

Iago doesn't seem bothered by his band, but I am considering removing it to prevent accidents.