Pet birds are often seen wearing small bands around their legs. These bands serve an important purpose in identifying and tracking pet birds. There are several reasons why bird bands are used for pet birds.
Identification
One of the main reasons pet birds have leg bands is for identification. The bands have unique numbers or letters that allow the bird to be individually identified. This is useful for a few reasons:
- If a pet bird escapes or flies away, the band helps identify who the bird belongs to so it can be returned.
- Bands help track a bird’s history and ownership if it changes hands between breeders, pet stores, and owners.
- Leg bands allow pet bird competitions and shows to identify individual birds for judging and tracking purposes.
- Bands provide a form of permanent ID for the bird’s entire life since they do not fall off like ID clips can.
The band is typically put on when a bird is very young, even as a new hatchling in the breeder’s aviary. The breeder records which bird has which band number so its identity can be verified throughout its life.
Proof of Legal Purchase
In some areas, pet birds are required by law to have identification bands. This helps provide proof that the bird was legally obtained and not captured from the wild illegally. Wild-caught birds pose risks of spreading diseases, being improperly handled, and reducing conservation efforts for species. Legal captive breeding is better for bird welfare and controlling populations of exotic pet birds. A proper leg band helps demonstrate the bird was sourced legally.
Shows Bird’s Origins
Bird bands are also useful for determining the origins and history of a bird. The band numbers and letters can reveal details such as:
- The breeder or aviary where the bird was hatched.
- The year the bird was hatched.
- The region the bird is from.
- Details on whether the bird is a show bird or pet.
This helps new owners properly care for their bird knowing details of its background. It also helps breeders keep track of their breeding lines and family trees in their aviaries.
Indicates Rare and Valuable Birds
For rarer and more valuable bird species and breeds, the leg band indicates that a bird is a pedigree and purebred. Fancier breeders will place specialized bands on their show and breeding birds to designate them as higher value. The presence of a leg band from a top breeder helps prove the bird’s rarity and purity of breeding lines, increasing its value as a show or breeding bird. The band’s code indicates the bird’s value to those familiar with the breeder identification codes.
Different Types of Bird Bands
While all bird bands serve the same purpose of identification and tracking, there are a few different types of bands used:
Closed Leg Band
This is the most common type of bird band seen on pet birds. It is a ring or band that fully encircles the bird’s leg with no opening or break in the band. Once placed on the hatchling’s leg, it permanently stays on for the bird’s lifetime. These bands come in different materials like aluminum, stainless steel, and plastic.
Split Leg Band
A split leg band has a small gap or opening in the band so it can be opened up temporarily to be put on the bird’s leg. Once closed, it forms a circular band that stays on like a closed leg band. The advantage of a split band is it can be put on older birds and not just hatchlings. This allows tracking bands to be added to birds without bands when needed.
Plastic Jesses
Jesses are thin plastic strips or cords placed on a bird’s leg and serve similar identification and tracking purposes as bands. Jesses are most often seen on falcons and birds of prey used for hunting. The materials allow the jesses to be tied or fastened snuggly around scaled legs where a loose band could fall off. Jesses come in bright colors and patterns for high visibility.
Wing Bands
Though less common, some types of birds can be identified by bands placed around the wing or elsewhere on the body. These may be used for larger bird species where a leg band is not practical or visible enough. The purpose remains the same – unique coded identification for the bird.
How Bird Bands Are Put On
For most pet birds, the leg band is put on at just a few days old by the bird breeder. At this young age, the band can easily be slid over the small hatchling’s foot and onto the leg. It then stays on permanently as the bird grows up. Only a small gap allows the foot to initially slide through. The band might look loose on hatchlings but will fit snugly against the leg as the muscle and feathers develop.
Split bands allow placement when a bird is older but must go on loose enough to slide over the foot. A special pliers tool is used to open and close the split band after getting it around the leg. Once closed, the ends are flush with no edges sticking out. Getting bands on mature birds takes some practice but is a useful skill for avian keepers. Often two people work together to safely hold the bird and maneuver the band into place.
Ethical Concerns Around Bird Banding
While bird bands provide clear benefits for identification and tracking of birds, there are some ethical concerns to consider as well:
- The band should be loose and smooth enough not to rub or chafe the bird’s leg as it grows.
- Bands should not be so tight as to interfere with circulation or digging into the skin.
- There is a small chance bands could get caught on objects and create injury.
- Bands placed too young can potentially restrict proper development if sized wrong.
- Split bands should not be over-tightened to cause pain.
- Bands should be checked regularly and removed if causing issues.
Responsible breeders are very experienced at properly banding birds to avoid injury. But pet owners should still monitor their bird’s comfort and health with any leg band and have it removed by an avian vet if problems emerge.
Tracking Band Registry Databases
To allow bird bands to be effective at identifying lost birds and tracing their histories, the codes must be registered in databases that permit looking up the band data. There are a few main bird band registries used:
National Banding Scheme
The National Banding Scheme, managed by the United States Geological Survey oversees an extensive database of wild bird banding and tracking across the country. While focused on wild species, they may also contain records on some captive exotic birds. Checking this registry is useful if a pet bird escapes or is found as a stray.
Avian Species Breeder Directories
Many bird breeding associations and clubs maintain their own databases listing breeders and the band codes they use. Those involved in particular species like parrots, finches, or poultry can track birds within their niche community this way. Common breed registries include the National Cockatiel Society, National Finch & Softbill Society, and others.
Individual Breeder Records
Responsible breeders always keep their own records of the band numbers they place on birds and the hatchling details. This allows tracking birds they have bred and sold. Vet clinics and pet stores may also keep microchip or band records of birds that pass through their facilities. Checking with each of these sources can help trace a bird’s history from its band.
Registering Newly Banded Birds
When getting a newly banded bird, it is smart for the owner to register it themselves in databases they have access to. Adding the bird and its new location to registries increases the chance of it being identified if it gets separated from the owner. Some options include:
- Vet clinic records
- Pet store/breeder records
- Local lost pet groups
- City license and microchip registrations
- Exotic bird clubs
- Social media lost pet pages
The more widely the bird is registered, the better its chances of finding its way back home if it ever gets lost. Responsible owners should keep the bird’s band details handy and stored securely so they can provide the information easily if needed.
Reasons to Remove a Bird’s Band
In most cases, bird bands are designed to stay on the entirety of a pet bird’s life after being put on in the breeder’s aviary. However, there are some circumstances when a band may need to be removed:
- If the band is irritating the skin or impairing circulation.
- If the band gets damaged and has sharp edges.
- To replace it with a microchip form of identification.
- If the bird overgrooms the band area, at risk of ingesting it.
- To trim feathers or treat injuries around the band area.
- If the bird gets the band caught frequently and poses injury risk.
Band removal should always be done by an experienced avian vet using proper tools and technique to avoid injuring the bird’s leg. In most cases, a new band is put on after treating any skin issues. This maintains the bird’s permanent identification.
Conclusion
Identification bands serve an important role in keeping pet birds safe and providing insight into their origins. The main reasons birds have leg bands are for visual identification if they become lost, to show legal sourcing, and to track their breeding history. Bands help reunite lost birds with owners, assist in cases of theft, and allow tracking of an individual bird’s background. When properly sized and monitored, bands present little risk to a bird and offer significant benefits. Responsible bird owners should understand the purpose of bands and ensure their bird’s unique band code is registered in as many places as possible.
