Register your bird
Free, and ready in a few minutes.
Any bird worth keeping safe is worth registering: parrots, finches, pigeons, poultry and everything in between, banded or not.
Before you start
What you’ll need
- Needed
A clear photo
Face, colours and any markings, in good light. You can add up to six.
- Needed
Species
Search by everyday name, like “budgie” or “galah”. Not listed? Describe it.
- Needed
Colours
Tick the main colours. Choosing a picture fills them in for you.
- If your bird has one
Bands, exactly as written
Letters, numbers and spaces as they appear, plus the band’s colour and leg.
- If your bird has one
Microchip number
Usually 15 digits, on your vet’s paperwork.
- If your bird has one
Hatch date, if you know it
Just the year is fine. Add the month and day to see its age.
A photo is optional, but it makes a match far more likely. Until you add one, BIRD shows a drawing of your bird’s species, marked “No photo yet”.
Recording a band
Copy the inscription exactly as it appears, including letters, spaces and any year. Turn the band slowly in good light, or take a close-up photo and zoom in. If a character is worn, write what you can read.
Add who issued it if you know (your club, society, breeder or the manufacturer), its colour, whether it’s a closed or open band, and which leg it’s on. BIRD accepts every format; there’s nothing to convert.
All of these are recorded as written.
After you register
- Your bird gets a BIRD registry number. It’s BIRD’s own reference, not a band number.
- If it ever goes missing, mark it lost or stolen from its page, and make a poster.
- If someone reports finding a bird that could be yours, you’ll get an email straight away.
- Choose what verified vets, rescues and shelters can see about you, in your account settings.
Common questions
My bird has no band or microchip. Is it worth registering?
Yes. BIRD matches found birds by description as well: species or size, colours, and where and when it went missing. Clear photos of distinguishing features make the biggest difference.
Does registering prove I own the bird?
No. A BIRD record shows who registered a bird and its history on BIRD. It isn’t a legal title, and it doesn’t replace receipts, permits or club records.
Can I register a bird that’s already missing?
Lost reports are for birds registered before they went missing. That stops anyone claiming a bird they’ve only seen. If your unregistered bird is missing, see My bird is missing for what you can still do.
Do I need a licence for my bird?
Some native species need a keeper’s licence in some states. BIRD doesn’t check or issue licences; ask your state’s wildlife authority if you’re not sure.
I breed birds. Is there anything extra?
Yes: parentage, family lines, and transfers to buyers. See For breeders.
Ready when you are.
Create a free account with your email address, then add your first bird.