Banding Lilo's leg?

[kq_fan]

Hello all! Hope your week has been going good! Anyways, Lilo didn't come with a leg band. No one knows her past, someone found her in a tree in their yard. I know that when they get lost it is easier to know if their yours or not. Also I will know the id number and confirm she is indeed mine! So what do you guys think? Could I get one from a breeder, vet, or parrot shop maybe? I know it can get caught on things but I feel a little better if she were. Its like a dog name tag!

 

[weco]

As you probably know, there are pros & cons about banding, but be that as it may, if I wanted my birds banded and they weren't, I think I would buys some open bands and band them.....

Good luck.....

 

[RavensGryf]

Many vets like to cut them off because they do pose a hazard. Vets have seen too many times, bands getting caught on something and causing injury.

None of mine have bands. The ones that came with bands got cut off. If you're concerned that you might lose Lilo (I hope that's never the case) look into getting a microchip from the vet.

 

[kq_fan]

RavensGryf, I didn't know you can microchip them! Would that help on Craigslist though? Because if I did see an add for found conure and it had a blue band and Lilo had a blue band it would be easy! But will people know to check for a microchip?

 

[weco]

When a bird with a microchip is reported missing/stolen, the police notify veterinarians, animal control agencies and animal shelters with bird description & embedded chip data.....somebody could always remove a band, but you have to have a chip reader to even be able to tell if an animal has a microchip...you can't see them.....

 

[SilverSage]

The kind of band you would need is a split band, meaning there is a real in it and it was squeezed shut around her leg. This is not only dangerous because of catching, but unlike closed bands LILO could squeeze it and cut herself badly or cut off the circulation to her leg. She is too old for a closed band. Also, the band could easily be removed if she was stolen so it wouldn't help much. If she gets lost, simply answer every ad you see. The convenience of the extra detail, a blue band, is not worth the risk in my opinion. You know your bird and will be able to identify her if it comes down to that.