Tips For Finding Your Lost Parrot   AROUND HOME:     ·        Search for your bird in your neighbourhood.  During the first month birds tend to stay within a mile radius of home.  Spread the word to neighbours and neighbourhood children that your bird has escaped and let them know what your bird looks like.  While searching bring along a favourite toy or treat. Make familiar sounds.   ·        Put your bird’s cage outside so if he’s nearby 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 favourite 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.   AROUND YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD:    ·        Keep in touch with your neighbours.  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, 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.   AROUND YOUR AREA:    ·        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 (ie. PetsMart, PetCetera, SPCA, etc.).   ·        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.   ·        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.   ·        If you do recover your lost bird, make sure to let your neighbours 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.   Preventative Steps:   ·        If your birds are non-flighted make sure you have their wings clipped properly and regularly.  Inspect your bird’s wings weekly so you can make a wing clip appointment if necessary.  Sometimes the wing feathers can grow in rapidly (approx. 6-8 weeks).  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.   ·        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.   ·        Leg bands can be used for identification of your lost bird/s but are   fairly easily removed.  Consider having your birds microchipped. A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and is inserted into your bird’s breast-muscle where it will stay for life.  These chips can be scanned for their ID number, which will tell the pet owner’s name and contact information. This provides proof of ownership as well.  There are many Veterinarians and humane organizations already using microchip scanners.  If your Vet’s office doesn’t do microchipping yet, ask if they will consider it.  Some microchipping companies will give the scanner to a Vet’s office for free, with the agreement that they will encourage pet owners to do microchipping.   BACK