CITES

Bird Registration

• Schedule 4 Birds
• How to register
• Application Forms
• Guidance (Info Sheets)
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Charges

Other Areas

The purpose of a ring is simply to identify a bird. It does not necessarily mean that the bird was legally acquired or is legally registered. A small number of birds cannot wear rings for one reason or another, and for these the keeper must obtain a licence to keep the bird unringed. Residents of Scotland and Wales should direct their enquiries to the Scottish Executive and National Assembly for Wales respectively

Animal Health issue four main types of ring:

Close Ring
a continuous band of bronze-coloured metal stamped with a white four or five digit number, followed by the letters "DOE" and then a further letter which shows the size of the ring- e.g. 1234 DOE X;
Cable-tie
a black, flat plastic band, covered by a clear plastic sleeve, which is fixed together using a small cube-shaped locking box. The band is stamped "UK" followed by a five digit number- e.g. UK 98765
Split ring
an aluminium band which is bent to form a ring, marked with the letters "DOE" above a four digit number which is preceded either by a single letter A to F, or the letters "BB" or "CC"- e.g. DOE BB1234;
Hess or Swiss ring
a uniquely numbered split ring made of aluminium. The rings are fitted using a steel pin and crimped together using special pliers. Rings issued by us are prefixed with a size designation, a 5-digit number, and a "GB" suffix- e.g. H 00013 GB.

These are the only types of official Animal Health rings. Other types are not usually acceptable for registration purposes in England and Scotland, although imported birds can sometimes be registered under existing close rings or microchips. There is nothing to prevent a bird wearing its own breeder's ring as well as an Animal Health ring.

Ring requests

Telephone requests should be made as soon as the completed clutch of eggs has been laid unless you are already certain that all the eggs are infertile. When requesting rings the following details must be given:

• your name and keeper ID number;
• ring numbers of both the parent birds;
• number of eggs in clutch;
• date last egg was laid;
• your phone number;
• your address if you have moved since last contacting us;
• the Article 10 Certificate numbers for each parent bird (if applicable).

Once this information is received the appropriate close rings will normally be dispatched within 48 hours. Rings requested late on a Friday cannot be dispatched until the following Monday, however.
Completed ring request forms will need to be sent to the Bird Registration Section as soon as the full clutch of eggs has been laid.

Whichever method is used to request rings, the aim is to ensure that close rings will be available in time for chicks to be correctly ringed. Animal Health should be contacted by telephone if there is any delay in receiving rings. To avoid delay, please inform us of any special arrangements which you may have for the breeding season. You must particularly let us know if chicks are being kept at a different address.

It is the responsibility of the keeper to ensure that Schedule 4 birds are ringed and registered as required. We will not accept responsibility if rings cannot be fitted to chicks if the ring request form was received after the eggs had hatched.

The Wildlife Inspector's Role

Animal Health may witness the ringing of chicks. If your birds are among those chosen, the application form and appropriate rings will be issued to a Wildlife Inspector, who will contact you to arrange a convenient time to witness the ringing. Keepers are reminded that Inspectors are not able to assist with the ringing of birds. If such assistance is required, keepers should make their own arrangements to secure this.

Further information is available from the Wildlife Inspectorate.

Ring Sizes

A list of the ring sizes recommended for Schedule 4 birds is available on request. Ring sizes will normally be issued in accordance with the list. It is accepted, however, that certain birds produce chicks for which the recommended ring size is unsuitable and a smaller or larger ring is appropriate. In such cases, when a ring request is made, the keeper should give the reason for not requesting the recommended size.

Animal Health do not issue rings for birds which are not listed in Schedule 4.

For some species Animal Health recommend that different-sized rings be fitted one to each leg to take account of gender variation in leg (tarsus) size, since it is often impossible to sex chicks until some months after hatching. The wrong-sized ring can be removed once the sex is known. However, it is not compulsory for two rings to be fitted. If it becomes necessary to remove either ring this should be returned to Animal Health, with the bird registration document and an explanation as to the reason for removal. An amended registration document will then be issued.

Fitting Rings

Close-ringing of chicks normally takes place between the 4th and 14th day after hatching, depending on the species. All chicks in the same clutch must be ringed on the same day or shortly afterwards. It is the keepers responsibility to ensure that this is done at a time which is best suited to secure the humane fitting and effective ringing of the chicks concerned.

Close rings fitted at the correct time will be a snug fit after the bird's foot has passed through.

Undue force should be avoided and it may be helpful to apply a lubricating gel or soap to ease fitting.

Page last modified:13 March 2008
Page published: 13 March 2008

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