A small metal or plastic ring fitted to a chick's leg in the first few weeks of life, carrying a unique ID that proves the bird's age, breeder, and captive-bred origin.
A closed leg band is slipped over a chick's foot before the leg has grown to adult size — once fitted it cannot be removed without cutting it off. The band typically carries the breeder's identifier, the year of hatching, and a serial number.
Closed banding is one of the strongest single proofs that a bird was captive-bred and not wild-caught: a wild adult bird's leg is too thick for a closed band to fit. Reputable sellers band every chick they raise, and your purchase paperwork should record the band ID alongside the bird's name and species.
Open bands (a split ring) are also used but are less reliable as a provenance signal because they can be applied to any bird at any age.
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