Steve Hutchings Budgie Site

BIRD IDENTIFICATION

There are a variety of ways to identify birds as individuals. This is important to prevent theft, one common route used is to apply leg bands, " rings" \these can be applied when the birds are very young and serve as a unique record. However there are no set national records and so a ring is only of use to the individual owner.

These can, however, be easily removed. They can also lead to medical problems and need to be cut off. A trapped ring is one of the most common causes of a fractured leg.

Microchipping is currently the best option and in some species this is now a legal requirement. These chips are given by injection into the birds muscle under its right wing. when placed here it is not clinically detectable, thus preventing removal. Some  fractious birds may require anesthesia for this. I would strongly recommend the indentichiping of all larger Parrots and Raptors. In these there is good economic sense in doing so.

Each bird is given a unique number and all rescue centers posses the scanners required to read the microchips. once implanted this gives a computerised record for life. This record can be changed when a bird changes home.

The cost is £25.91 per bird and includes the lifelong registration. Because of the recent legislation we are prepared to reduce the price if a number of birds are implanted at the same time.

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