You have found a

Bird leg ring complete with swivel, leg bones and Jess

 Jesses

Jesses are usually made from strips of thin leather, kangaroo leather has become more and more popular over the years, because it is thin, light and durable if properly cared for.

Jess size depends on the bird, but the width is usually in proportion to leg-length. A traditional jess is made from a single length of leather, and slits are placed along the jess to allow it to be looped through itself and around the ankle of the bird so that it fits comfortably but securely about and above the bird's 'ankle'. This can be seen in the picture 

Often only a ring is found and sometimes complete with a leg bone.  The numbers on the ring can identify the bird from which it came and often the owner can be traced. Most rings belong to racing pigeons. Your find is different. It belonged to a Kestrel.

                    Home                             

                                                             The ring you have found, once belonged to a Kestrel, hatched in 1986 and reported lost in 1990, unfortunately the owner could not be traced.