Leg bands

[audkat]

Hey there, I got my first conure baby about 6-8 months ago. I bought him from a local pet shop that specializes in birds, however when I received him he did not have a leg band. I was just curious how common these really were. I was told by another conure owner that if they don't have the band, that generally means they have been illegally imported and that it can be difficult to move out of state without that band to verify that the bird was bred legally in captivity. I honestly have no idea and when I asked the pet store about it, they just told me that it is not a common practice anymore. What are your thoughts? Thanks!

 

[andielane87]

I just got my first GCC this weekend and were told NOT to remove the leg band because it would be difficult if we were to ever move out of state. We (my bf and I) don't like the bands personally because we feel that they are annoying, I know I wouldn't want one on lol. I'd check your state rules!

 

[getwozzy]

There could be other reasons he didn't come with a leg band on- either they didn't put it on in the first place, or it had already been removed. It doesn't necessarily mean he's illegal.

A lot of parronts have them removed by an avian vet anyways because they can catch on things, the bird messes with it, etc. My galah came from the breeders without a leg band and I've never thought twice about it because I would've had it removed anyways

 

[Terry57]

Some of my birds had bands, and some didn't. Since your conure is so young, it is unlikely that he was smuggled in. I know a lot of people have a vet remove their bands and just keep them in case they are ever needed.

 

[Kalidasa]

Conures are bred successfully in every state, it's almost 100% assured your bird was not illegally brought in. Bands can cause injury so many breeders don't use them anymore. Alot of people microchip now if you're looking for an accurate way to have him I.D.'d

 

[lquan]

I bought my conure from a local breeder. He didn't put leg band on my Lily. However, he put leg bands on more expensive conures like Turquoises. I am glad that he didn't put leg band on Lily. I would have cut them off myself. When I was 8 years old and had a Lilac Amazon. He was getting bruises at the leg band area. I remember my mom and I took him all over the bird trading area to find someone with the tool to remove his leg band. Last summer I flew with my Lily to NC. No one at the airports cared if she has a leg band or not. No one cared if I had medical checkup document for her, which I didn't. They were more interested if I had a ticket for her.

 

[MikeyTN]

I'm not a fan of leg bands due to me having to amputate one of my bird's legs because of the leg band.

 

[Buttons]

My adopted conure doesn't have a leg band either.

 

[JennyB]

Mikey, I've been worrying/wondering about this. None of my birds in the past have been banded. Our newest is, and she's also a spitfire, getting into everything, not afraid of anything, constantly on the go, etc.! I'm worried she'll get it hung or stuck on something, or even something stuck/poking inside (seed, hay, etc.) which I might not notice, but irritating to her.

Should a vet remove the band, or is this something I could do myself? I actually found an avian vet much closer to us than I thought, & was considering making a "well" visit this week anyway. Thank you!

 

[lquan]

I have cut plastic leg bands off from finches before. My friend, the finches' owner, held them while I cut them off with a pair of electronic wire cutter. I had to snip the band bit by bit until I have 2 cuts all the way through. I had to cut the band in half. There is no way to make just 1 cut and split open the band without having it accidentally snap back while taking it off the bird's leg. If you are half way out and the band snap back, it will surely pinch the bird's leg hard. I assume you have to do the same thing for aluminum leg band. If it is aluminum, I'd rather have the vet do it. I hate those leg bands!

 

[JennyB]

That's what I figured/was afraid of... Then I'd beat myself up for not calling the vet in the first place! Think I'll call now, and save myself the headache later!!! Thank you!

 

[lisa6373]

My Mango didn't have a leg band either. I must admit I thought it was unusual because the store bought budgies we've had in the past had them so I thought it was customary. I didn't get Mango from a breeder but from an aviary and they had to check to see if she had one before I bought her..so idk??