Bands - Advantages/Disadvantages?

[going_birdy]

I have two Cockatiels...one came with a leg band that I kept on. The other does not have a band.
I know some people remove the leg band due to fear of getting it caught and injuring the leg.
I opted to keep the band on just in case my bird ever got out of the house. It would probably be the only way to indentify him.
I would like to know who keeps legbands on and who doesn't? And what are your reasons?
Also is it possible to band my bird now (the one who is bandless)? Where would I get one of these bands?

[lcbrink]

Originally Posted by going_birdy

I have two Cockatiels...one came with a leg band that I kept on. The other does not have a band.
I know some people remove the leg band due to fear of getting it caught and injuring the leg.

My cockatiel has lived for 10 years with his band with no ill effects. I would find it suprising that a band put on properly would cause problems.

Also keep in mind that some states (Eg: New York) require that all pet birds have the band. It's proof that the bird was bred domestically.

Originally Posted by going_birdy

Also is it possible to band my bird now (the one who is bandless)? Where would I get one of these bands?

Not really. It's the breeder that's supposed to band the bird, and have the breeder's info on it. It's not something the owner could do after the fact (AFAIK).

[The Outlaw]

About half of my flock is banded and all fit properly. I think its still the best solution to tracking your birds. I would not remove any band UNLESS there were some medical reason to do so. I was able to track my favorite bird, The Fabulous Margarita, to a breeder in Florida. It helped me to learn her exact age and who her clutch mates were in the event I decided to breed her someday. I certainly didn't want to pair her with a too-closely related partner.

THE OUTLAW

[Gemmy]

I, too, think that bands are extremely important. If there's a danger that the band can get caught on something, remove the item that is a possible danger - not the band. I've even heard of some vets doing it without the owner's consent. That is totally unethical.

--Denise

[birdyland]

Neither of my parrots is banded. My finches are, however, I've only had them 3 days!

I am highly against bands. Please read the following to see my reasons (two long birdboard posts with the band/microchip discussion):

http://www.birdboard.com/forum/thread6314.html

http://www.birdboard.com/forum/thread6533.html

[oslund]

I have all my bird's bands removed. I don't know what it is, but all my birds seem to be a bit clutzy :icon_mrgr . On top of that they are always hanging from things upside down and going crazy. My amazon will hang upside down from a toy with one leg and then all of a sudden fall. I would hate for him to get caught by a leg band like that one day, so I had it removed.

[Monica]

Currently, only one of my birds is banded. The band has brought me nothing in regards to him, though its a great way to find the bird incase he/she is lost. There are open bands that can be put on adult birds, however, open bands are more likely to get caught on things (as there is a slit after you close it over the birds leg).

[The Outlaw]

Well, I still prefer them to be banded. Here's why:

If your bird does turn up missing and is discovered by someone they have two choices: look for the owner or keep the bird. If its banded, they certainly know that its POSSIBLE to trace the bird. In that case, it seems it would make more sense to try to find an owner.

THE OUTLAW

[kp_in_scott]

Angel(CAG) is my only banded bird. That's how she came to us. The others are not banded but if they had had bands I would not remove them. Angel has never had band related problems. Seymour(E2) is micro-chipped.

[sweetie&meli]

my jardine is not banded but microchipped so im pretty safe i geusse:)