When your Parrot escapes..

When the warmer weather arrives, windows are open, doors are open too, remember you have a bird so please check and double check that doors and windows are closed before you let your beloved bird out……. BUT if your parrot escapes or you find one, what would you do? Well here’s a few things that you can do to help you find your bird or reunite a found bird.

Contact Parrot Alert at www.parrotalert.com. They have a national database for lost and found birds. Also make posters advertising your lost bird with a description, picture and contact information. Offer a REWARD. You do not need to advertise reward amounts, but keep in BOLD LARGE letters. Supply the posters to neighbours, pet stores, veterinarians, shelters etcetera as soon as possible. Hang them on telephone poles, Lamp posts at stop lights etcetera

Contact your local vets, pet shops, SSPCA, radio stations, local newspapers, local schools etcetera. You need to get the word out there that your bird is missing. Use social media and ask your friends to share your Facebook status regarding your bird, you’ll be surprised how many friends of friends will share for you and also keep their eyes and ears open for sightings.

Remember parrots will often fly up and away when spooked to hide in the safety of a tree and remain quiet as not to be seen. Many companion parrots do not have the flying skills to fly down to their owners even if they are spotted. Often, they are so scared and confused by their surroundings that they are unable to find their way home, even if they wanted to.

1. Remember the “One Mile/One Month Rule”:
When looking for a lost bird, during the first month following “escape,” a lost parrot usually stays within a one-mile radius of where it was lost.

2. When searching for your bird, look HIGH and LOW:
Often birds will hide under things or behind things, so search bushes and all low lying areas too. Put the cage outside, full of his favourite treat foods, and leave the door open. Canvas the neighbourhood. Take a recording of your bird if you have one and walk around playing it. Walk with a friend. Have them walk behind you, listening to a response from your bird, call your bird by name. Don’t be shy about calling attention to yourself. The more attention you receive, the more people know about your missing bird. Your bird will tend to be more vocal at dawn and dusk.

3. Talk to children:
They often speak the truth and will confess to a found bird or will know who to come to if one is found. Place an ad in the Lost & Found section of any newspapers in your area. Many local papers will run this ad for free. Contact Bird clubs in your area. They often have newsletters that are published monthly and will gladly run your lost ad. Sometimes radio stations will help by making a plea for you.

4. Most importantly
Be stubborn and dedicated about finding your bird. Your best chance for getting your bird back is if you are proactive! Don’t give up and don’t just do what I have mentioned once. Several rounds of fliers, ads and calls might be in order to get your baby home. If your parrot is microchipped then contact Petlog because they’ll send out an alert for you too. If you’ve found a bird then take it to your local vets, they can scan the bird to see if it’s microchipped and if it is then they can contact the owners.

More Links:

Lost parrots guide
http://www.parrotalert.com
http://www.theparrotsocietyuk.org
http://www.helpinglostpets.com
http://www.animalsearchuk.co.uk
The Found Sector: http://www.nationalpetregister.org
The Lost Sector: http://www.nationalpetregister.org