Bird Trying to Pry Off Leg Band

[Axel]

My parakeet, Doodle, recently has been biting at his leg band. He has broken it open a little bit, and it seems fairly close to coming off. I first noticed this today. It does not seem too tight around his leg, so I am unsure of why this behavior started.

Any advice/tips on what to do or ideas on why this started?

 

[noodles123]

What type of metal is it? Does there appear to be any sort of irritation under it? Does he mess with his ankle or just the loop?
Is it possible he snagged it on an object and it hurt his leg a bit--you know, kind of like when you are walking and someone steps on your untied shoe-laces or something? If it is open, it could easily catch on threads or other objects, and if he pulls away, that would hurt I am sure.
It could be obnoxious to wear and fun to play with.

 

[Laurasea]

I would have the vet remove the leg band. He doesn't need it, and they have a tool that can safely cut it off.

 

[charmedbyekkie]

Just to quickly check (since I don't know where in the world you live), the leg band hasn't been hooked onto anything, right?

Background:
Where I live, chaining birds via their legs is very common. My own ekkie used to have an s-hook which he started yanking at and biting his leg over when the chain prevented him from flying and got him tangled up. We got it removed as soon as the vet could do it.

But if his leg band is now open, it could be a risk for catching onto toys and whatnot. So that might be consideration regarding keeping it on or taking it off.

As for what started this, it could be as Noodles mentioned - it got caught (maybe between the bars of his cage or between some toys) or it is now a new fun toy. Alternatively, it might be an allergy that just popped up (but since you did mentioned his leg looking different, maybe not).

 

[Flboy]

Remember, birds are masters at OCD!

 

[Kiwibird]

Many parrots do not like their leg band. I know I'd be irritated if I had a bangle on my ankle all the time. I'd suggest taking a photo of the band, with the number while on his leg still as proof it was once attached to him and then have the vet cut it off (or if it's plastic and you have a super steady hand, some of those smaller bands might be able to be CAREFULLY snipped off with a nail clippers).

 

[ChristaNL]

Get it off, but keep the band.


Picture first is a brilliant idea, (and/) or get a note from the vet that is *had* to be removed.
With most species it is no big deal, but if you have a CITES-bird you could end up in a heap of trouble if you have a bird without a legband.
As always: better safe than sorry