Leg Banding (using closed bands) Closed leg bands can be used to identify specific birds. Their main purpose, however, is to ensure that a bird is captive raised and of known age. They must be applied when the chick is still in the nestbox so that the leg will grow wider as the baby grows. One can assume that a bird wearing a closed dated band was banded while a nestling. The NFSS provides leg bands with the year, size, and a unique i.d. number on each band. Go to www.nfss.org to find out more.
The size to use is determined by the species and its leg diameter. This information is contained in the NFSS bulletin. When buying birds from someone you don't know very well it is a good idea to check the band size to see if it is correct. It is fairly easy to slip an oversized band onto an adult bird and deceive the buyer into thinking the bird is younger than it is. Buying birds with NFSS closed bands of correct size is the best way to assure you are getting a bird with a known birth date. In addition, breeders who have the time to close band birds generally take better care of their birds than those that don't have the time or willingness to band them. The procedure for close banding is discussed and pictured on the next several pages. 
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