Decoding a Bird Band

[mick56]

I found this bird band a while ago, haven't been able to decode it.

MC 89 (sideways) 1881

 

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[taz42o]

The only part I know is the year (sideways 89=1989)

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I think you can eliminate pigeon. Jeff of Pa listed some good pigeon sites here but none match MC. http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,385795.0.html


In some import birding codes the first letter is for the state. M may be for Michigan. http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,308642.0.html

But there are all kinds of birds banded it will take some searching. Closed bands are found on birds which have been banded as babies. This usually means that they are captive bred. They are slipped over the feet when young. The bands are permanent.

Search "bird band" here in the what is it forum to look at others found. http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php?action=search2

 

[ScrugneysGunDogs]

There is some more info here http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/homepage/btypes.htm

This is where you go to report banded waterfowl. http://www.reportband.gov/ I'll bet you can report that one there as well.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

This is a good infomative link. It says pigeon bands are all plastic coated metal.
http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/homepage/otherbnd.htm

It sounds like a captive bred cage bird. The small permanent band was slipped over the feet when young.


Cage Bird Bands
Cage birds often wear bands. If these bands are solid, seamless bands they indicate that the bird is captive bred. Parrots that go through US quarantine wear a metal importation band made of heavy wire. Each type of cage bird (parakeet, cockatiel, finch, etc) has at least one group that issues bands to members for their use. Some regional bird clubs also issue bands to their members. These bands are metal with either the organization or breeders initials, a two-digit year, and a number. Check with local bird breeders or pet shops for information on cage bird bands. The Bird Banding Laboratory does not take reports of these bands.

 

[mick56]

This band is seamless aluminum. So, it must have been for a captive born bird.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

This band is seamless aluminum. So, it must have been for a captive born bird.

It looks like it. According to the link, MC would be the organization or breeders initials, 1989 the date.

 

[truckinbutch]

To me this is as interesting as tracking down a lost gold treasure . Hope we get to read some answers .

 

[Solarabyss]

I need help with a bird tag too

I found this bird band a while ago, haven't been able to decode it.

MC 89 (sideways) 1881

I found one with a polish flag so what that means?

 

[Anduril]

I found one with a polish flag so what that means?

I don't know, but if it were the flag of England, then it might be a Cornish game hen. (Groan...)

 

[Trezurehunter]

89 is the year. The 1881 number, is the birds ID number. If it's a Pigeon band, the MC stands for the Homing Pigeon club the birds owner belonged to. If he didn't belong to a club, then the MC are usually the bird owners initials. Since you are from Wisconsin, you can research Pigeon clubs in your state, and look for one with the MC initials. The info will tell you what city the club is in, and may even give you the bird owners name. I have actually notified owners of some of the pigeon bands I have found, just to let them know that their bird was no longer around. I have never had an owner ask to send the band back to them. They just like to know, and thank me for taking the time to notify them. Good luck on your research.