Free Tool

Closed Leg Band Size Calculator

The right closed-band ID and the safe apply-age window for every common species — finches, small and large parrots, gamebirds, pigeons. Searchable, no signup.

Closed Leg Band Size Finder

Find the right closed-band ID and the safe age window to apply it for any common avicultural species.

SpeciesBand IDApply at ageCategory
Canary2.5 mm58 daysfinch
Zebra Finch2.5 mm69 daysfinch
Gouldian Finch2.5 mm710 daysfinch
Society Finch2.5 mm69 daysfinch
Java Sparrow3.0 mm710 daysfinch
Budgerigar / Parakeet4.0 mm710 dayssmall parrot
Parrotlet (Pacific)4.0 mm1014 dayssmall parrot
Lovebird (Fischer's / Masked)4.0 mm1014 dayssmall parrot
Lovebird (Peach-faced)4.5 mm1014 dayssmall parrot
Cockatiel5.0 mm913 daysmedium parrot
Conure (Green-cheek)5.0 mm1216 daysmedium parrot
Conure (Sun / Jenday)6.5 mm1418 daysmedium parrot
Indian Ringneck6.0 mm1418 daysmedium parrot
Quaker / Monk6.0 mm1216 daysmedium parrot
Senegal8.0 mm1621 daysmedium parrot
Galah / Rose-breasted Cockatoo9.5 mm1824 daysmedium parrot
African Grey (Congo)11.0 mm2128 dayslarge parrot
Amazon (Blue-front, Yellow-naped)11.0 mm2128 dayslarge parrot
Cockatoo (Umbrella, Moluccan)11.0 mm2128 dayslarge parrot
Eclectus11.0 mm2128 dayslarge parrot
Mini Macaw (Hahn's, Severe)9.0 mm1824 dayslarge parrot
Macaw (Blue-and-Gold, Scarlet)14.0 mm2535 dayslarge parrot
Macaw (Hyacinth)16.0 mm2838 dayslarge parrot
Pigeon / Dove8.0 mm69 dayspigeon
Coturnix Quail6.0 mm1014 daysgamebird

Sizes are starting points based on common breeder-association recommendations. Always test fit on the chick's tarsus before banding — band should slide on with mild resistance and not move past the ankle joint once applied.

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Why band size matters

Closed bands are how serious breeders prove provenance. A closed band can only be slipped over the foot during a tight window — once the joint enlarges, the band cannot come on or off. That permanence is exactly why a club-issued, year-coded closed band is treated as proof of captive breeding worldwide.

Get the size wrong by even half a millimetre and you cause real harm. Bands that are too tight cut circulation and can cost the chick a foot. Bands that are too loose slip off and you lose the identity. The species sizes above are starting points used by most breeder associations — always check fit on the individual chick before committing.

Apply a closed band by gently folding the chick's longest two toes forward and the shortest two backward, slide the band over the closed bundle past the ankle joint, then let the toes return to position. The whole motion takes seconds — practise on an older chick that already has its band before working on a fresh hatch.

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