Ringing Budgerigar Chicks

Ringing a budgerigar chick involves placing a small, numbered or coded ring, supplied through a Club, around the bird’s leg. Typically, this is done when the bird is between 7 to 10 days old. At this age, its leg is thin enough to fit the ring comfortably. These rings have a unique code or number combination that is specific to each bird, and tracks back to a specific breeder. The use of coded rings is important in bird breeding programs and exhibitions, as it allows breeders and judges to easily identify individual birds and keep track of their lineage, age, and other important information. It also assists the ANBC, BCSA, as well as its member bodies, to determine the year a bird is bred, and its eligibility to be shown as a Young Bird.

BCSA Ring Policy

Steps to Ringing a Budgerigar Chick

  1. Source the appropriate ring for your budgerigar. Each State or Zone issues rings that are approximately 4.5 mm in diameter. Rings are ordered for the following year between July and August. Fanciers receive their rings on or around December 15th, depending on the individual arrangements of each club.
  2. Hold the bird gently but firmly. You can either hold the bird in your hand or place it on a flat surface, such as a table, with its back facing up.
  3. Hold the bird’s leg with one hand. Use your thumb and forefinger to gently hold the leg just above the ankle joint.
  4. Slip the ring onto the bird’s leg. Use your other hand to gently slip the ring onto the bird’s leg, just above the ankle joint. Make sure the ring is securely in place and can’t slip off.
  5. Check the ring’s position. Make sure the ring is not too tight or too loose. It should be snug enough to stay in place but not so tight that it cuts off circulation.

Ringing a budgerigar chick is a simple process, but it’s important to do it correctly. If the ring is too loose, it is too soon to apply. As a result, it will fall off in the nest. Conversely, if it’s too tight, it can cause injury or even cut off circulation to the leg. In this case, you might have left it too late to ring the bird.

Visual Description of How to Ring a Budgerigar Chick

Ringing Budgerigar Chicks
Step 1 – Hold the leg, pointing three toes forward, and one toe back
Ringing Budgerigar Chicks
Step 2 – Pull three toes forward and gently place the ring over the toes
Step 3 – Slide the ring down to the knuckle, past the three toes
Ringing Budgerigar Chicks
Step 4 – Slide the ring past the knuckle, and the last toe
Step 5 – Unclip the back toe from the ring