Northern Bobwhite with nose ring?! Help please.

[Aloft]

We live on an island in Washington State where the Northern Bobwhite isn't native.  While watching this little guy (who I guess from my bird books to be a Northern Bobwhite) eat chicken scratch put out for the local Wood Ducks, we noticed what appears to be a white plastic ring on his beak. Can anyone tell me if this is common for chicks that may have been shipped into our neighborhood?  I'm guessing that maybe some neighbor had at least two escapees.

If this is used for protection during shipping, should I try to catch the little guy and remove it, or does it just fall away....or what??  We've got enough obstacles for him to overcome in our yard with Bald Eagles, Red Tail Hawks and raccoons.  Thank you, thank you for whatever help you can give this bird lover.  I know absolutely nothing about quail, grouse, etc.  Help?!

[jimmurray3]

Never seen nothing like that before on a quail but my guess and this is only a guess is if you can catch him I would remove it thank ya Jim

[frank_lap_127]

Good luck if you can catch it, but I would tell the same thing, remove it. I personnally find that those noserings are made for two kind of specimens : Punk and overcrowded birds.

Frank

[Aloft]

Thank you, Jim and Frank!  I'll enlist my husband for a little quail-wrangling and try to remove the plastic.  I really appreciate your help.

It's kind of a mystery how this bird even came to be here, but I'd like to think he's made a break for freedom like the chickens in "Chicken Run".

Thanks again both of you!

[finnegan]

Hi the bird  has escaped from somewhere locally because he has been bitted this is to   stop the males beating the hens  up  jim

[Aloft]

Thanks, Jim.  Three of his buddies showed up in our yard today so I'll bet you're right - somebody on a neighboring acreage must have tried to start an operation and they made a run for it.

I've learned a lot from this forum, thanks for sharing your collective knowledge.  I can see how this could be an interesting hobby! 

Does the bit impact the bird's ability to eat at all?  I didn't have time to try to catch him today to remove it.

[wildergamebirds]

  Maybe they flew over from Scotland.  Surprising they all came to you.

[quailfarm7]

They dont harm the birds and they dont hinder them eating. They are bits used for quail to cut down on cannibalism. They are used alot for huns and can be removed easily. When catching huns for delivery you can keep birds in one hand and pop them off quickly with the other.

[Aloft]

  Maybe they flew over from Scotland.  Surprising they all came to you.

Well, my husband is from Liverpool....that's close!   

Thanks all!