General question

[brittani299]

Are birds that you buy from a breeder suppose to be banded? The breeder I bought my green cheek from doesn't band any of her birds. I understand that a band can help you if you lose your bird but is it illegal not to have them banded? I saw a few posts about people saying birds without bands are probably illegal, wild caught, or were breed by horrible breeders. I just want to know what people think

Thanks,
Brittani

 

[JamesC]

I don't know of any laws requiring you to have your birds banded in the US. None of my three currently sport a band. Though my older blue crown had one when I adopted her. It was the open type that was clamped around the leg. The avian vet that I went to about 10 years ago immediately removed it the first time he saw her. I do not know her full history but she might have been a wild caught bird. Through the number on the band I was able to trace her to an import station in Miami. Beyond that there is no more information. All I know from her history is that she had 2 or 3 homes before my brother cared for her for 8 years then she came to me where she has remained for around 15.

 

[SoCalWendy]

Neither of my birds are banded.

 

[Kalidasa]

Not all breeders use bands, and some just use temps to ID each bird until it leaves. It's not illegal, and there is actually no database for bird bands, so it probably wouldn't help if he got lost unless you knew the band no# and someone found him and posted somewhere they found a bird with the same band no#. There have been more than a few injuries as a result of bands, so your breeder was doing the right thing

 

[Megapixel]

I don't know of any laws requiring you to have your birds banded in the US.

In the US:
Colorado requires all parrots be banded.
Vermont requires all psittacine birds to be banded, microchipped, or have other approved id that id's the breeder.
New York requires parrots be banded to be sold at retail or boarded at a pet shop.
At least one state (Virginia) requires that Quaker Parakeets be close-banded.

Based on 2.5 year old information found on this website regarding the legality of Quakers
State Laws for Quaker Parakeets

 

[Echo]

Birds born in captivity should be banded. I believe that is the responsible thing to do as a breeder. If the band is PROPERLY fitted, the risk of injury is very minimal. However, if the new owner wishes to have it removed, I suggest to have the vet do it and record the info on a certificate and keep the band. Some states require that information to cross their line.

 

[brittani299]

Thanks everyone