How many bands can a finch hold?

steph · Post by **steph** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 11:56 am

Is it possible to put two bands on one leg or have bands on both legs? When I was a wildlife intern we were banding Florida scrub-jays and we would put two bands on each leg...just wondering if this can be done for finches as well.

ac12 · Post by **ac12** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 5:32 pm

One of mine has a band on each leg, one mine (est year of birth) and one probably from the breeder.

The leg is long enough for 2 bands, so that is possible.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 6:53 pm

Yes I've seen finches with two bands on 1 leg and one of my finches came with a band on each leg.

summert85 · Post by **summert85** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 10:14 am

Me too. I seen breeder used two bands on one foot. :=) so as long as it's small size. they should be okay with it.

ac12 · Post by **ac12** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 3:48 pm

Oh my plan is to band on both legs
Left leg = year of birth, or estimated year of birth for purchased birds
green = 2008 (or prior), yellow = 2009
Right leg = family tree, so I don't interbreed. However, I can see that after a bit this will be very difficult to manage with the MANY different combinations possible. So I will ultimately have to go to numbered bands and a paper/computer map of who is related to whom

nixity · Post by **nixity** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:14 am

Gary - why not just get the NFSS closed bands or split plastic bands with the year if you are not comfortable close banding?

For anyone who ever intends on showing their birds, most rule books for sanctioned shows say that the bird can only have one band present.
I have had secretaries recommend I remove split plastic family bands because some judges will disqualify birds for this.
Some of them are more lenient, as I'm sure they understand that the plastic bands are usually some sort of record keeping mechanism and not just "there to be there."

Personally, I'm turned off when I see a bird that has 500 different bands and bangles.
Try to keep it simple - why do you need multiple bands on both legs?
There are dual colored split plastic bands if you need two colors..

CandoAviary · Post by **CandoAviary** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 12:01 pm

Hey there.... planning on banding those soon to hatch eggs already

I use 1 band on one leg, though I have bought birds with both legs banded... Every time you band you run the risk of a band getting caught, slipping out of place, etc. I try not to double or triple the risk.....
I keep track by alternating legs or using 2 colored bands, alternating the top and bottom positions.
How are the pair doing with their nesting duties?

ac12 · Post by **ac12** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 12:57 pm

Tiffany
After receiving the split plastic bands from NFSS and finding that they were not numbered, I had to rethink how to band. My scheme for the interim was simply to use 2 bands
- left leg = year of birth, or estimated birth for purchased birds
- right leg = family

I plan to get numbered split plastic bands in colors, that way I can get down to 1 band with the following logic (similar to the NFSS closed band logic)
- color for the year (ie yellow = 2009)
- number will let me ID the specific bird.
I found RedBird has numbered plastic bands and will be ordering some.
http://www.redbirdproducts.com/legbands.htm

I figure it will take me a while until I feel I can do a closed band on a nestling. I need to get a clutch that I can practice on, next one will be w a new couple, so I'm not going to mess w the nest.
It may end up easier than I think it will be...I hope.

nixity · Post by **nixity** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 12:59 pm

Oh I see :)
Makes sense..
I will have to check out Red Bird - but also L&M Leg Bands has numbered plastic bands and I believe they are in CA.

ac12 · Post by **ac12** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:43 pm

Cool
I found the L&M site