Random question about the leg bands

[Ijistcantsayno]

Does anyone know if you can legally have the band on a birds leg removed? It just seems like it’s a bit of hazard that could get caught on something in a moment of panic. Maybe I’m overthinking this but I’m still curious as to what you all think.


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[charmedbyekkie]

Oooh, various facets to this.

Leg bands have two main types in the US - open and closed. Open bands do run a bit of a risk of catching on something. Closed bands run the risk of, if a bird leg swells for any reason, getting stuck and making the situation worse. (Some people have experienced closed bands getting caught as well, but not as common as an open band.) So yes, some people do cut off leg bands in the name of safety.


All that aside, what are leg bands for?

Most are for identification with numbers and letters meaningful to only the breeder themselves, but at least, the breeder would be able to track hatch date and ancestry. Other times, leg bands are put on when going through immigration.

So consider that they are for identification. Ideally unique identification. If your bird gets lost, you might have a case for proof of ownership via that unique number (this is typically in the case of a closed leg band, which is only put on when they're babies). If you had a larger bird, an alternative to proof of ownership would be a microchip, which is a bit too big for a budgie to have. This ability to prove ownership is crucial if you have to bring the case to the police - sometimes people keep lost birds ("finders keepers" and all) and you might have found him but the finder might be unwillingly to return him to you. Without concrete proof of ownership, the police can do very little because it does turn into a "he said, she said" situation.

FYI, If you ever migrate out of the US, you would need either a closed leg band or microchip normally.


Now, going back to the proof of ownership, some people do keep lost birds and cut off leg rings to deny proof of ownership. Alternatively, kind people who want to return lost birds have no clue what to do with a unique identification number.

We have an ekkie, so I had him microchipped. He does have a leg ring (not a type found in the US, though), but it has my phone number on it. That way, if some kind soul finds him, should he be lost, they can just call me directly. Then I can prove ownership through the microchip.

 

[Ijistcantsayno]

Oooh, various facets to this.

Leg bands have two main types in the US - open and closed. Open bands do run a bit of a risk of catching on something. Closed bands run the risk of, if a bird leg swells for any reason, getting stuck and making the situation worse. (Some people have experienced closed bands getting caught as well, but not as common as an open band.) So yes, some people do cut off leg bands in the name of safety.


All that aside, what are leg bands for?

Most are for identification with numbers and letters meaningful to only the breeder themselves, but at least, the breeder would be able to track hatch date and ancestry. Other times, leg bands are put on when going through immigration.

So consider that they are for identification. Ideally unique identification. If your bird gets lost, you might have a case for proof of ownership via that unique number (this is typically in the case of a closed leg band, which is only put on when they're babies). If you had a larger bird, an alternative to proof of ownership would be a microchip, which is a bit too big for a budgie to have. This ability to prove ownership is crucial if you have to bring the case to the police - sometimes people keep lost birds ("finders keepers" and all) and you might have found him but the finder might be unwillingly to return him to you. Without concrete proof of ownership, the police can do very little because it does turn into a "he said, she said" situation.

FYI, If you ever migrate out of the US, you would need either a closed leg band or microchip normally.


Now, going back to the proof of ownership, some people do keep lost birds and cut off leg rings to deny proof of ownership. Alternatively, kind people who want to return lost birds have no clue what to do with a unique identification number.

We have an ekkie, so I had him microchipped. He does have a leg ring (not a type found in the US, though), but it has my phone number on it. That way, if some kind soul finds him, should he be lost, they can just call me directly. Then I can prove ownership through the microchip.

The identification part I understand. The store had to write down his band ID when we brought him home. How do I know if it’s an open or closed band? I’m going to have to try and get a good look at it. It has 4 letters and 3 numbers on it, but I couldn’t say what they are without looking at the paperwork he came home with.


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[charmedbyekkie]

The identification part I understand. The store had to write down his band ID when we brought him home. How do I know if it’s an open or closed band? I’m going to have to try and get a good look at it. It has 4 letters and 3 numbers on it, but I couldn’t say what they are without looking at the paperwork he came home with.


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Think of rings that you might wear on your finger.

An adjustable one a child might wear would have an opening for you to squeeze to adjust size - that would be an open band.

Typically people will try to squeeze the band closed as possible, but there might still be a slight gap. Also, because the material is more likely to be a softer metal like aluminium, a strong parrot beak could easily bend it open.



A typical wedding band is what would be a closed band.

These also could be aluminium or stainless steel, but you won't see any possibility of opening it.

Do note that both closed and open bands can come in different colors as well.

 

[charmedbyekkie]

I'm reading now that some states require banding for more restricted types of birds - quakers, irns, and others. I highly doubt budgies would be included, but do check with your state laws as well as any state you might consider moving to.

 

[Jasmine333]

I too had a question about the band when I got Oliver, so as stated before it's for ID and tracking purposes. I don't have anything small enough to cut it off, so perhaps a vet could do it. I'm afraid if I did it Oliver would associate me with the trauma involved and he might never trust me then.

 

[SailBoat]

I too had a question about the band when I got Oliver, so as stated before it's for ID and tracking purposes. I don't have anything small enough to cut it off, so perhaps a vet could do it. I'm afraid if I did it Oliver would associate me with the trauma involved and he might never trust me then.

Removal of Leg Bans should only be done at a Avian Professional's Clinic! Why: 1: They have the proper tools! 2. They are practiced at the process! and 3: If something goes wrong or seriously wrong, they have the training, skill, equipment and medications at hand!

 

[SailBoat]

Ijistcantsayno: You are receiving truly excellent advice above!!!

 

[Ijistcantsayno]

Ijistcantsayno: You are receiving truly excellent advice above!!!

This is why I joined the forum. It’s such an awesome community and who better to ask than the people who live with these amazing little creatures. I’m totally new at this and the advice I’ve been given has helped so much already.


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[SailBoat]

Ijistcantsayno: You are receiving truly excellent advice above!!!

This is why I joined the forum. It’s such an awesome community and who better to ask than the people who live with these amazing little creatures. I’m totally new at this and the advice I’ve been given has helped so much already.

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With a bit of time, you will learn that we are living with them!

FYI: Take the time to Read the Thread near the top of the Amazon Forum, highlighted in light blue, Titled: I Love Amazons -... Within this huge Thread you will find information on living with Parrots. With the exception of diet percentages every else will be helpful!

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Being Owned by a Parrot!!!
Enjoy!

 

[Ijistcantsayno]

Ijistcantsayno: You are receiving truly excellent advice above!!!

This is why I joined the forum. It’s such an awesome community and who better to ask than the people who live with these amazing little creatures. I’m totally new at this and the advice I’ve been given has helped so much already.



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With a bit of time, you will learn that we are living with them!



FYI: Take the time to Read the Thread near the top of the Amazon Forum, highlighted in light blue, Titled: I Love Amazons -... Within this huge Thread you will find information on living with Parrots. With the exception of diet percentages every else will be helpful!



Welcome to the Wonderful World of Being Owned by a Parrot!!!

Enjoy!

Thank you. I did take the time to read the first few bits. And boy did some of that hit home. I’m an animal lover through and through. I’ve been in shelters with animals scared out of their minds, that are so broken and shut down. I’ve been bitten more times than I can count. Both in rehabilitating wildlife and working with dogs or cats that have been anandoned/traumatized. Seeing all the “bad” has definitely left me more sensitive to making sure I provide the best I can for my fur (and feathered) babies.


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