RING A BIRD

[CHIRP]

Is it a pretty standard procedure to ring all new birds you get? or is it illegal or must I be registered or what?

This is why I ask......

When ( if lucky) and I get young ones, I don't want to wait to long and then maybe find now I don't know my original pair....... I very much doubt it as I know their ways now.

So, if I ring the new ones I will know, is this legal or unethical or what?

I am new to this bird dynamic thing so am just asking advise.

Thanks.

[Smurf]

Generally i put a differently coloured plastic split ring on each of the adult birds as a means of quickly identifying them. Closed rings can only be placed on chicks in nest, both these can be purchased from various suppliers such as

http://www.achughes.com/

and

http://www.avianid.co.uk/index

Here in Ireland ringing the chicks is optional and rings can either simply have the breeders initials or a membership number from a society. An exception to this is all native species which must legally have a closed ring as proof they are captive bred.

[DanteD716]

CHIRP I'm not sure how it is over there but here ringing birds (commonly called banding) is very common and I think it's great if you choose to. I use colored split bands to determine gender/Paris/families and a closed band from NFSS and band the young ones with these

[finchmix22]

I agree, closed banding in the nest is a really good idea. It helps identify the age and parentage if you keep a record of band numbers. I don't know if it's legal or illegal in South Africa. I assume that native species have to be captive bred and not exported etc. Check with the state/country wildlife or agricultural department.

[CHIRP]

Thanks you say its a good idea, now for another question, if I remove the chicks from the nest will the female not then reject them then? I don't want to mess with any new borns, or is it safe? thanks.

[DanteD716]

CHIRP now this is the tough part. Normally babies aren't large enough to be close banded until 8+ days depending on species. If you are using split bands wait until they fledge. If they are good parents most birds will go right back into the nest, but if you notice they are flighty and nervous sitters I wouldn't risk it

[CHIRP]

DanteD716 ok, you see now you have scared me

I will rather not chance anything as this is my very first time at this bird dynamic, so I rather chicken out and not take a chance I want to make this first attempt go well, I will separate them when the time is close that I see it is getting hard to tell them apart. Thank you all for the replies.

[DanteD716]

CHIRP no no I didn't mean to scare you! If it is the birds first time and you are nervous though, you can always bands them once they leave the nest

[CHIRP]

Ha ha no I understand, was just thinking out aloud, I was just wanting to ring them in case I wait to long and I cannot tell them from my original pair, thanks.