Ring Sizes

RINGING OWLS

It is a legal requirement to individually identify European Owls and their sub-species to comply with the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, if they are to be used for monetary gain. It is also essential for trace-ability if captive populations of owls are to be managed successfully in the long term.

The most convenient, economic and readily available method of marking owls is to place a ring on the leg. For European species an individually identifiable closed ring must be fitted when the bird is young enough for the ring to be slipped over the toes and which cannot then be removed when the Owl becomes fully grown. Other species of owl can be rung using split rings that can be fitted when they are older; this avoids disturbing the breeding birds when the young are being brooded. At this stage some owls become very protective of their young, attacking any intruders, this may result in the keeper, the parent birds or the young being injured.

Whether a closed ring or a split ring is used it is important to ensure the correct size is fitted,

Not only as a legal requirement but also to prevent injury to the bird. If to big, it may become snagged, causing muscle strain or fractures, to small and it could constrict the circulation to the foot causing inflammation and the possibility of infection.

The list of ring sizes for the European species are the sizes that must be fitted to comply with the legislation. The others should be used for guidance only . From our own experience and from consultation with other breeders we have tried to obtain the most accurate estimates of ring sizes for the species listed, but there can be considerable variation within species and certainly between sexes. Always check rings after fitting to ensure freedom of movement