What to do if you have lost a bird

Your bird has been lost

• Search for your bird in your neighborhood. During the first month birds tend to stay within a mile radius of home.
• Spread the word to neighbors and neighborhood children that your bird has escaped and let them know what your bird looks like. You could give all the children in the neighborhood a buck and tell them there is more if they can locate your bird. Kids tell on people that are hiding them also. Police will often not help you retrieve a bird from someone else's home. You have to plan that one very carefully if they decide they want to keep your bird.
• While searching bring along a favorite toy or treat. Make familiar sounds. Play a recording of him intermittently as you look for him.
• Put your bird’s cage outside so if he’s near-by he/she can see it. Many times, your bird may be near but too scared to even vocalize to let you know it. The cage and familiar toys will help to entice him/her.
• If your bird has a favorite feathered friend, bring him/her outside (in his/her cage). You’ll only want to do this if you are home to watch over things to insure the safety of your bird’s friend and his/her cage.
• If you have any outside pets your bird doesn’t like or fears, be sure to bring them in so they won’t scare your bird away.
• Keep in touch with your neighbors. Make sure they know how to contact you if they even THINK they’ve heard or seen him/her.
• It’s quite possible that once your bird gets hungry (usually around Day 3), he/she will go to any human. Make sure you post signs (at least in a one mile radius near where your parrot escaped) describing your bird and giving contact information.
• Post signs in local veterinarian’s offices, pet stores, apartment bulletin boards (usually near the mailboxes areas). Have your kids post signs on the school’s bulletin board. Anywhere you think the signs will be noticed. If you really get the word out there, it increases the chances that your bird may be returned.
• Contact your area animal rescue/shelters and have them put your bird on file so they can look out for it. Make sure they have a way to contact you. Call them every few days to make sure you keep it fresh on their minds. Be sure to ask how long they keep a lost animal on file and be sure to call back and re-list your bird if you’re still looking for him/her.
• Also, contact any local bird breeders and let them know about your lost bird. Speak with managers at your local pet stores and let them know when you post the lost bird poster on their bulletin board. Let them know to be on the lookout. Sometimes people ‘find’ parrots and try to sell them to pet shops for quick cash.
• If possible contact organizations 50 miles away. Sometimes people find them while traveling and go home with them. Birds can also get that far just flying.
• Place a LOST ad in your area newspaper. If you offer a reward it may increase the chances that your bird will be returned. On all posters, ads, etc. make sure you mention how your lost bird is ‘family’ to you (and your children perhaps). Stress how much you care for your bird and it may help to persuade someone who may not initially intend on returning a ‘found’ bird.
• Place lost ads and check the found sections on online lost parrot listings such as 911ParrotAlert and birdhotline.
• Throw food on rooftops. Place a small cage on the roof of your house, or anyone's where the Bird has been seen.
• Have someone watch the bird at all times if he is spotted and you need to go for help.
• If you do recover your lost bird, make sure to let your neighbors know and thank them for any help. Make sure you remove all the posters you put up and contact anyone you called to be on the lookout and let them know.

Prevention

• Photos: Keep photos that clearly show any identifying features.
• A list of words: If your bird is a talker, make a list of the words spoken most often. Have a recording of your bird when he is playing and having the most fun.
• Proof of purchase: If your bird is banded, make a note of the information on the band.
• When you travel with your bird, use a bird harness or a travel carrier. Even with clipped wings, a gust of wind or something frightening them will allow them to take flight.
• If your birds are non-flighted make sure you have their wings clipped properly and regularly. Inspect your birds wings weekly so you can make a wingclip appointment if necessary. Sometimes the wingfeathers can grow in rapidly.
• If your birds are flighted, provide them with a safe area to fly in where people will not be opening and closing doors/windows frequently.(designated bird room or flight aviary). Make sure the birds can’t escape those designated areas and check on them regularly.

Microchipping

• See the article on Winged Wisdom explaining microchipping.
• For tips on legal identification of stolen birds, see the UK Parrot Society site.
• See the AVID PETTRAC site for a specific brand of microchipping.

Birds can get STOLEN!

• Don't place your birds in windows where they can be seen from the street or sidewalk. Avoid temptation.
• Watch what you say when you are in a pet store or other place where bird thieves may be listening. If you brag about your beautiful, intelligent macaw, a potential thief can follow you and find out where that beautiful bird lives.