Banding birds

hfentj · Post by **hfentj** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:11 am

I have read about open bands that you can buy in the jewelery making section in stores???

Post by **Hilary** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 4:54 pm

I band right before or right after they fledge - I wouldn't wait until 5 months (too fast by then). I do different colored bands on each of my firefinch girls so I can tell them apart - it's easy and effective.

hfentj · Post by **hfentj** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 5:34 pm

These are three owls I bought as young siblings. Thxs for the info.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 3:52 am

Split rings are cheap enough...and you can guarantee the correct size.

hfentj · Post by **hfentj** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 9:18 am

I have come to that conclusion and I'm sure I will need the extra somewhere down this adventure of finches. Thxs Heidi

jamezyboo21 · Post by **jamezyboo21** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 2:54 pm

I wanted to band all my finches certain colors so i could tell who had babies but some of my finches already came banded so i think i will just band all the adults and band babies that i decide to keep.

Post by **Sally** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 11:26 pm

Hi, Heidi - you can only do closed banded either before they fledge or immediately after, like the same day--after that, they grow so fast you can't get the proper size band over their toes. I use split plastic bands to mark families, like all members of one family will wear green bands, another family red, etc. I also use pink and blue bands to mark the sex on birds that all look alike. When I see one singing, then I can band it with a blue band, so I know it is a male.

Those bands from the jewelry section of craft stores are OK for the larger finches, but will come off the smaller waxbills. Worse, they will slip down over the toes and get stuck there, till you notice and get it off. I have used them on Owls without problem, but I prefer smaller bands. I get my split bands from the National Finch & Softbill Society. You have to be a member to buy closed bands, but anyone can buy split plastic bands, and they are quite small. There are lots of places online that sell the plastic bands, let me know if you need some sources.

hfentj · Post by **hfentj** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 9:07 am

Welcome back and thank you for all the information. I have finally been able to see the numbers on my three sibling Owls bands and I know now which one is the male. So at this point I think I have two girls and one boy along with a pair from another source.