parrot registratin in the uk

Question
Hi chrys,
mt problem lies with an orange winged amazon, given to me by a guy whose wife has asthma, so they can't keep it. They rescued it from a chap who bought it in a pet shop in the uk, and kept it cooped up in a caravan for about two years!
i am told it is about six years old
the parrot is a wonderful bird, very happy, eating well, and will take grapes and other tit bits from my hand with no problem. he has quickly become a proper member of the family, and even gets on well with my dog!
now comes the problem bit. he has a ring (a closed one) with what appears to be the number 120 on it. I must presume he is registered with some list somewhere in the uk,--but where?
I would like to reregister him to me, and acquire papers for him, but i don't know where to start!
I don't know if I am the only one with this problem, but if you can come up with an answer, i would be much abliged.
regards to you, and many thanks for "listening"
mary.

Answer
Hi, Mary.  Thanks for posting.

I don't know anything about parrot registration in the UK.  Can't be of help here, as I wouldn't have the slightest idea where to start either.  However, in the USA, parrots don't come with "papers" and don't have to be "registered."  Normally, a leg band, which is what is on your OWA's leg, identifies the original breeder of a bird, and might also contain the year of the bird's birth on the band.  I assume the number 120 is this bird's particular ID number with the original breeder.  The year of birth is usually sideways on a leg band.  Leg bands can be purchased from various companies/organizations that might exist.  For example, in the USA, there are organizations that cater specifically to cockatiels, some to lories, etc.  Some of these organizations offer leg bands for that species of parrot to breeders who breed that particular species of bird.  Then there are other organizations who just sell parrot leg bands to breeders who want to keep track of the parrots they breed and/or as a means of identifying them for other purposes.

Leg bands are a means of identifying a particular bird, not as a means of keeping track of them for issuance of papers or identifying their owners, at least in the USA.  Some leg bands carry the initials of these organizations or the initials of the breeder whom bred the bird.  Often times, a parrot's history can be traced using the information on the leg band, if a person would want to know the history behind a bird they just acquired.  Also, leg bands help to identify lost birds to their original owners.  

Does the leg band on your OWA have any other numbers or letters on it?  If so, you might be able to trace the history of your new parrot using this information.  I have no idea if the UK requires parrots to be registered, etc., so I can't be helpful to you in this regard.  Certainly there must be some type of information on the internet on this.  Perhaps you could contact a local parrot breeder or bird veterinarian to get more information on this aspect.

Sorry I can't help more.

Chrys