March Microchip Madness!

Did you know that birds can be microchipped? Or that microchipping isn’t limited to the larger parrots? We can even microchip Budgies and Lovebirds!

Microchips can be very beneficial if your bird has flown away. Unlike dogs and cats, birds can travel great distances when they escape. They are capable of flying at 60km/hr! One of our clients had their Princess Parrot escape from Nundah. He was found five days later north of Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast. There were a couple of people claiming to be the owner and it was only after he was taken into a local vet and scanned for a microchip that he was able to be returned to his true owners. Another remarkable case was the theft of a Sulphur Crested Cockatoo who was free to wonder around his yard. He disappeared and the owner carried out a identify drop around her area. When delivering the fliers, she heard her bird talking.  When she approached the occupants of the house that had her bird, they stated that it was actually their own bird and that they had owned him for years. It was only after the police were involved, that ownership was determined by scanning for a microchip. Another very relieved client. Determination of ownership is virtually impossible without some form of permanent identification.

Unlike dogs and cats that have their chips implanted subcutaneously, birds require microchips to be placed intramuscularly. Microchips are implanted into the pectoral muscle of the chest. If placed subcutaneously as in dogs, they are found by the bird whilst preening and either broken or removed completely. Due to this a short anaesthetic is required for microchip implantation in birds. Some people do get concerned about their bird having a general anaesthetic but we assure you that it is a very safe procedure for healthy birds.

You don’t have to wait until your bird’s next health check to have a microchip implanted! It is only a 5 minute procedure and can be performed while you wait. You are also welcome to watch the procedure should you wish. Otherwise, you can always have your bird dropped off in the morning and picked up in the afternoon if that is more convenient.

Our microchip procedure at Brisbane Bird Vet includes the anaesthetic, microchip, lifetime registration and an optional “M-CHIP” stainless steel leg band. The “M-CHIP” leg band helps to identify that your bird is microchipped should it be found by someone that does not know that birds are microchipped.

Please telephone the surgery on 3359 2233 if you are interested in getting your bird microchipped.  We recorded Indah the Sun Conure’s microchip procedure, you can see this is a short procedure that can greatly increase the odds of finding your bird if it is ever lost or stolen.  Please view our video below.