How to Find the Correct Leg Band Size for your Bird
Did you know, National Band & Tag manufacturers bands ranging in size from hummingbirds to swans? With so many band sizes to choose from, it may be confusing what size you need.
There are two different options for finding out which size leg band you should order:
Option 1: Find the diameter of your bird’s leg. The easiest way to do this is to use a piece of string. You might want to have one person hold the bird, while another holds the string and measures.
- Step 1: Place the tip of a string onto the bird’s leg and hold it in place. Wrap the string around the leg until the string reaches the tip on the end of the string you are holding in place.
- Step 2: Mark the point where the string touches the tip with a marker.
- Step 3: Stretch the string out across the length of the ruler and then locate the mark on the string. Read the measurement on the ruler. This tells you the circumference of the bird’s leg. For this example, let us say the measurement is 34.54 mm.
- Step 4: Divide your circumference measurement by 3.14. Given the example of a 34.54 circumference, the diameter of the leg is 11 mm. You can then take this diameter to our bird band page, and see that our Size 14 is 11.13 mm, and would be the best size for your bird.
Option 2: Check for your species of bird on the USGS’s Recommended Band Size chart. This is a guideline, and NB&T is not responsible for incorrect size bands being ordered. While the USGS’s list is reliable for most standard birds, your bird could be slightly different. For example, wild mallards usually wear a size 14 band, but farm-raised mallards tend to be a little fatter and may need to go up to a size 16 band.
Next Steps:
Now that you know the diameter of your bird’s leg, you can check out all our bird bands and find the band size that matches your bird’s leg. Don’t forget that each size band needs it’s matching applicator to properly seal it. If you are ordering multiple sizes of bands, you will also need multiple applicators.
Dear sir can you please tell me the leg band size for aras ( ara macao). Thank you in advance, regards , jan henzen
Hello! Here is a band sizing chart you can use to measure the leg size and find the right size band. There is also a recommended species chart on this page. We look forward to doing business with you!
https://www.nationalband.com/bird-chart-2/
Estimado señor, ¿podría decirme el tamaño de la banda para las piernas de Phoenicoparrus jamesi (diameter 13,2 x 8,2) y Phoenicoparrus chilensis (diameter 14,4 x 8,0)? Gracias de antemano, saludos, Pamela.
Dear sir can you please tell me the leg band size for Phoenicoparrus jamesi ( diameter 13,2 x 8,2) and Phoenicoparrus chilensis (diameter 14,4 x 8,0) . Thank you , Pamela
Hello Pamela! I will have a customer service representative email you.
This is a question from another spot on your website. I saw tags for the chickens neck, I have never heard of something like that. If I missed it please forgive me but I wish you had something similar to this on that area because I would think there are others like myself who would not understand that as well. Thanks for your time in advance. Also before I go do your wing bands come in brass and how many letters or numbers are you allowed when you order?
Hello,
You can see more information on neck tags here: https://www.nationalband.com/poultry-neck-tags. They are a one-size fits all product, unlike leg bands that can vary based on the size of the leg.
You can see our brass wing bands here: https://www.nationalband.com/jiffy-893/ Stamping limits, price, and everything you need to know for the style #893B is on that page.
If you have any additional questions. Please email us at tags@nationalband.com or call us at 859-261-2035.