Escaped Parrot Help

What to do if your parrot gets away

The best way to keep this from ever happening is to have your bird's wings clipped. This will ensure an accident won't happen. Have your larger parrot's primary flight feathers clipped and through the secondaries on smaller birds. You want to keep them from gaining altitude. Smaller birds are able to go a long way, even with a wing trim. They should never be outside without a carrier or cage. It's very easy for a parrot to climb a tree and be out of reach.

If your bird does get out, keep calm. Try to keep your bird in sight. If possible, have a friend get supplies and a cell phone. Don't yell and go crazy for your bird. Don't attract a crowd. Your bird will be too afraid to come to you. This is when it is good if your bird is stick trained. If your bird perches, slowly approach him, speaking softly, extending the stick toward him.

If your bird lands high in a tree, try and entice him down. Don't climb the tree. He will most likely fly to another tree. Place a cage with treats and water on top below the tree. If they have a cage mate or buddy, bring them in a carrier and make a fuss over them. The bird may come down over jealousy. Play a recording of a bird. Remove any animals in the area.

If your bird is roosted and it gets dark, don't try and get him down. He may fly, and you'd lose sight of him. If possible stay there over night, or go back at dawn. Hunger should help you in the morning. Call softly, saying "step up". Try to use things your bird loves.

Get the word out! Call your local animal shelter, police, vets, pet stores, bird club, nature center, local University, or your local bird adoption agency. Call any place people may call or turn in a bird. Place ads in your local papers. Hang posters with a picture of your bird. Birds have been recovered months after getting out. Don't limit yourself to your area. Remember a scared bird with flight can go a long distance in a very short while.