Closed Band No Markings?

Hi,

New here and have a question. This may have already been discussed but I have been searching the forum for about 2 hours. I used the search term band.

I have a CAG who is banded on the left leg. Band appears to be aluminum. There are no visible markings on the band. She is supposed to be only 8 years old.

Has anyone seen a band worn so much that the information that should be there is rubbed completely away?

Are bird thieves known to grind or polish the bands to remove info?

I have been searching for reports of stolen or lost CAGs in my state and haven't come across anything that seems plausible.

Next visit to the vet I will make sure and have her checked for a microchip.

If this as already been discussed then I apologize and beg forgiveness.

If you have any suggestions of places to for lost or stolen birds I would appreciate that information also.

Two types of bands, split ring and solid ring. Solid ring can only be place on the leg as a young chick. Split rings can be added at anytime.

Markings (numbers /letters) rarely rub off, if it happens it is commonly only a single mark, possible two. Most markings are three to six long.

Those who flip or sell and sell simply remove the band as it common for Parrots not to have bands.

Parrots that are micro chipped, commonly have the bands removed once the chip is set. This because bands common get caught and damage the leg.

You have been very thin on how this Parrot came to you, how long you have had s/he and why tied with it being a lost or stolen Parrot.

I am concerned about her being possibly lost or stolen because the woman I got her from told me a multitude of her likes and dislikes. So far everything she said has turned out to be wrong or a lie.

Claimed she lost her papers in a move.

Claimed reason for placing with a new home was because a family member who moved in was allergic.

Originally said that her band had been cut off by the vet. But when I got her she was banded. Woman claimed that she had gotten her mixed up with a cockatiel.

Had to meet at a convenience store to make the transaction.

Would not give me a real phone number or email address. Texts were done using a Google number.

I had her sign a bill of sale. I'm fairly certain her name isn't Ricki Tibadeux.

Wanted me to give her updates on how the bird was doing. This went fine until I asked if I could get a copy of her medical records. Stone cold silence since then.

Some of the above may be plausible. But too many things she told me the bird has
proven a lie.

It is a closed band as stated in the title. Yes I know about bands but have never seen one "worn" off like this.

We met on the far west side of San Antonio.

I have had Gracie for 3 weeks

BTW within 2 days I was able to feel the keel area without restraining. She felt seriously skinny to me. At the vet two days later the vet agreed.

Any other questions?

If I know the answer I will be happy to give it to you!

I will post a pic of the band tomorrow. Her Highness has already bedded down for the night.

Having her checked for a microchip isn't a bad idea.

I will say, I find it highly implausible the the band was filed down. I find it much more plausible that the breeder used generic bands and only put it on chicks to prove they were born in captivity. Not all breeders have historically kept records and laws in the past were a lot more lax regarding paperwork and proof of ownership on parrots.

This lady was most likely a "flipper". A flipper buys or gets for free birds being sold/rehomed for a low price then flips them for a profit. I'm sure such disgusting 'types' do occasionally come into the possession of a lost or stolen bird, but it's not usually their preferred means of obtaining birds. It is also fairly uncommon for parrots to be stolen. Not only would the thief have to capture a aggressive bird, but would also have to provide bare bones care to the bird until they could find a buyer (a dead bird is worth nothing) and on top of all that, people are far more emotionally attached to a pet than other high value items like TVs, laptops, cell phones, jewelry etc... From a thiefs perspective- it is unlikely someone who's electronics gets stolen will be searching much for them and will probably just file a police report/make a claim on insurance and buy new ones. It is less likely to get them caught. People who have lost their beloved pet will often go to the ends of the earth to try to get them back, making it far more likely the thief will be caught when they try to sell.

Kiwibird,
You made some excellent points. I appreciate them because they made me feel better. Haven't been sleeping much between this and her weight. To say that she has won everyone in the families hearts would be an understatment (except maybe the hound).

BTW I think today we started to make a little progress on the weight issue.

Thank You Again,
Dave

It is quite possible for the numbers and letters to get worn off from beak wear.


If there's any possibility that she was stolen, it could be difficult tracking down the owner.

Here is the pic I promised. The ring is thin on the edges and thick in the middle. It looks the same all the way around.

http://www.parrotforums.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=2963&catid=searchresults&searchid=577