Metal ring around ankle

[wiresoma]

I think that means wild caught. Most of the time before she eats something which she holds with that foot, she will bite at the ring. I can't tell if this is just some ritual developed or if the thing bothers her. Anyone ever remove one of these? Are we 'allowed' to? It would take some strength though.

 

[wenz2712]

I know alot of people that have had them removed! but thats here in the UK, I think there are different laws for different states in the USA.

 

[Rio Mom]

If it seems to be bothering her it can be removed. It should ONLY be removed by a qualified avian veterinarian though, to be sure she doesn't get her leg broken.

 

[paulhanlon]

Here in the UK breeder rings can be removed as in the USA the rings need to be on as it is a crime to buy a unringed bird at least I think I'm right about that lol but yes it will take some force to remove the rings if they are stainless steel I can't be to sure about the laws of ringing in the USA but here in the UK your bird can or can't have a ring on sorry I couldn't help more

 

[wenz2712]

No it isn't law in the USA... I think some only have to have them if they are moving through different states!

 

[paulhanlon]

I was close lol I'm right about the UK ringing law tho I think

 

[wenz2712]

Yes, your right there Paul.. It is not Law in the UK.. Some breeders use them and some dont

 

[WharfRat]

Here (in Tx anyway) it's also a way to identify a lost bird and/or proof of ownership. All our birds came from the same breeder & are "banded" & we have the serial #'s recorded here at home as does the breeder.

 

[friedsoup]

I means breeder bred not wild caught as wild caught is against the law in the usa since 1972 but one of the problems is there is no goverment registery or online so we can find information about our fids (ok I'll get off the soapbox now.)

 

[henpecked]

hey wiresoma, basically there are 2 band types used here in the US. Open band ( has a "joint" in the band) and a closed ring (with no joint) .Closed ring can only be placed on a bird when it is less than about 12 days old. Open rings can be put on by anyone at any time. MOST open bands used here in the US where used by the USFWS to band imported birds that had survived USFWS 90 day Quarantine. This bands have USDA and a code on them. The code tells you what Quarantine station they passed thru (survived). Some have a usable date but you can get no other info from USDA/USFWS other than the year and what quarantine station. I dare you to get on the phone and try to get some info from Uncle Sam about your birds import band. Enough. Open bands mean very little and are proof of very little. If it's bothering your bird have it removed. I think you said your bird was about 5 yrs old, a immature zon, they still play a lot at that age and just "beaking" a closed ring type band wouldn't worry me. UNLESS it was too tight (like your zon is getting fat?). Closed Ring, I'd leave, Open Band ,i'd tend to cut off, mirco-chip instead.

 

[paulhanlon]

I knew I was right lol good job too I hate being wrong twice

 

[lene1949]

I think most breeders here in Australia ring their birds, so they themselves can identify them...

I personally hate rings on birds legs... Max is losing feathers, because he keeps on worrying the ring... I'm going to take him to get it cut off... He might be allergic to the metal...

 

[wenz2712]

I dont like rings either! They do seem to get very bothered by them!

 

[Alisana]

I think most breeders here in Australia ring their birds, so they themselves can identify them...

I personally hate rings on birds legs... Max is losing feathers, because he keeps on worrying the ring... I'm going to take him to get it cut off... He might be allergic to the metal...

lene - there are quite a few owners here in Australia that remove the ring, due to safety hazards (caught on toys, self injury, self mutilation, etc), so there isn't anything wrong with wanting to remove it.

When you go to remove it, take Max to an Avian vet and when they cut the band off, get him microchipped and you should be able to save the serial # to the chip. (Depends on database I think) Register with both Central Animal Registry and Australasian Animal Registry; they're the among the two biggest Australian registries. I would suggest keeping the band on hand just incase there are any issues regarding his "legality".

Proving Legal Possession of Exotic Birds:

Documentation
The lists below provide a guide to the types of documentation that would be considered in proving the source of a bird.
Primary documentation:

• a standard Movement Transaction Record or Activity Record completed under the exotic bird record keeping scheme
• a live import permit issued under Australian environmental legislation
• National Exotic Bird Registration Scheme records identifying the source of the bird(s)
• verifiable documentation identifying the seller of the birds, including their name and address
• a receipt from the seller showing:
  
  [*]the name and address of seller
  [*]the name and address of buyer
  [*]individual identification of the bird, and
  [*]the signature of both the seller and buyer.​

Supporting documentation:

• individual identification of the bird (for example, sexing certificate with date)
• transaction details (for example, cheque butt, printed receipt from online banking transaction)
• a statutory declaration identifying the seller and the seller's details
• a copy of the original advertisement with the seller's contact details
• a statutory declaration identifying relevant National Exotic Bird Registration Scheme records or import permits
• state/ territory records relating to the keeping of specimens or transactions within Australia (for example, a state import or export permit).

Proving legal possession of exotic birds - Wildlife trade and conservation in Australia

Otherwise, you also have the record keeping scheme

Forms for high-interest exotic birds
High-interest forms are only available in hard copy (book form) and can only be sent to you through the post. To order high-interest forms you can either email your address to exoticbirds@environment.gov.au or call 1800 720 466.

Forms for low-interest exotic birds
Movement transaction record form for low-interest species exotic birds
Use this form when you sell, loan or give birds as gifts-for low-interest species only (see the 2007 Inventory of exotic (non-native) bird species known to be in Australia to find out the classification of your birds.
Movement transaction record form for low interest species (Class 2 and Class 3) exotic birds (PDF - 64 KB)
Low-interest bird activity record form
Use this form to record information about your birds-for low-interest species only (see the 2007 Inventory of exotic (non-native) bird species known to be in Australia to find out the classification of your birds.
Low interest bird activity record form (PDF - 64 KB)

And lastly:

Marking and individual identification of exotic birds for record–keeping purposes
[....]
The method used to mark and identify each bird is a personal choice for bird exotic keepers. Bird keepers should use a system best suited to the species they keep and their individual situation; for example, bands, microchips, DNA samples etc. For more information on marking your birds read marking and individual identification of exotic birds for record–keeping purposes. (Marking and individual identification of exotic birds for record keeping purposes - Wildlife trade and conservation publications)

Hope that helps

 

[Alisana]

I think that means wild caught. Most of the time before she eats something which she holds with that foot, she will bite at the ring. I can't tell if this is just some ritual developed or if the thing bothers her. Anyone ever remove one of these? Are we 'allowed' to? It would take some strength though.

Where about's are you from? If you're in Australia, see my previous post. If you're in the US/UK/elsewhere, you may be better contacting local wildlife authorities to check. It would also depend if it was close or open banded as well.

 

[wiresoma]

I'm in the USA and it's an open band.

 

[henpecked]

Does it say USDA ? If so i might could tell you Quarantine station and year. But little else other than he is a import ,usually wild caught.

 

[Alisana]

I'm in the USA and it's an open band.

Open band doesn't really prove much in that case, because they can slap that on any bird. If it was close-banded, I would be hesitant to remove it without advice from a legal channel, but being open-banded, there should be no issue.

Have you got your documents for how you obtained the bird? Receipts? Movement Transaction Advice? etc. Keep a hold of those then get your bird microchipped by an avian vet (don't allow a cat/dog vet to do this, they'll just terrorize your bird[1,2]) and they can record your details onto the chip, helping to prove ownership.

I'm curious as to why it's an open band though? If closed, could understand, but Open Band generally benefits the owner as the serial number can be used to track the owner down. Was that from the breeder, or from the original person that the previous owner got your parrot from?


[1] - I've heard of a horrible story where a non-avian tried to give a bird a needle (goes into the breast muscle) and the bird went into a state of panic; the vet made it worse by chasing the screaming bird around and forcing it into submission before putting it under. The bird was never the same again and became very aggressive around hands.
[2] - There have been reported cases where non-avian vets have OD'd a bird with a sedative or medication, which has resulted in their death.

 

[wiresoma]

I can't get close enough to her legs to see that close. But I'll keep trying. Unfortunately, I acquired Keelo from a neighbor who had her for fifteen years. They got it from someone else and there is absolutely no documentation whatsoever.

 

[henpecked]

My guess is she's an import. i have several myself. If you get the info, i'll be glad to help figure what we can from it.