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Lost & Found Pet
Birds
Guidelines for posting to this page:
1. Greater Capital Region missing pet birds only.
2. Notices will be displayed for one year or until the bird is found,
whichever comes first.
3. Notices will be posted in reverse date order (most recent first).
4. Poster must provide local contact info (first name & phone),
description of bird, date lost, where lost, and any special
characteristics of the bird that might help to identify it.
5. E-mail lost bird notices to: harp@nycap.rr.com
Note: Because birds can fly, lost birds may be found miles from where
the owner reported them lost. Please keep this in mind should you sight
a bird that meets the description of any of the birds posted on this
page. If you have contacted the lost bird hotline by phone, but do not
see your notice, please call Linda at 518-346-1143!
***No current
listings***
Lost Bird Article
"Don’t Let Your Bird Go Missing!"
By Linda LaDuke
President
Capital District Cage Bird Club
Just another day: no, not really. Another very upset person has called
to report their bird has escaped. The phone has become my enemy. I hate
to hear it ring. I have been the sole volunteer for the "Lost and Found
Hotline" for the Capital District Cage Bird Club. Last year I received
over 100 calls reporting lost or found birds. I am sure that there are
even more, but I don’t get all of the calls. In article to follow I
will tell some “tails” of these birds.
Today, however, I would like to tell you the steps you should take if
your precious pet bird escapes. I say escapes because we all know that
birds should never be outdoors. Pet birds should only be taken outside
when going to the vet or to get their wings and nails professionally
clipped. These birds should be in a safe carrier and, of course, never
left in the hot car or in the sun in the car. Even if your bird is
clipped, it still can fly. Never go outside with the bird on your
shoulder or arm. It can be spooked by a noise or a hawk, crow, or other
small animal can attack it. Don’t put them outside in a cage. The cage
can be tipped over by cats or other small animals.
Even if you are
sitting with them, it is not safe. The West Nile Virus is a real threat
to you and your bird. Only very fine netting around the cage can
protect them, but this does not protect them from all other threats of
being outdoors.
If you lose your bird, try to follow it. In this way, you may to talk
it down, or if you have to leave it, you know where it was last seen.
Call all vets, pet stores and animal shelters in your area; give them
your name, phone number and description of the bird. Also, put up
flyers and go to your neighbors; ask them to watch for your bird. They
may see your bird and not know what it is.
When you go looking for your
bird, bring a towel, sheet or pillowcase with you. Even though they are
friendly, they are very scared and if you get near them they may fly
away from you. You would use the towel, for example, to throw gently
over them. You can put their cage outside; the cage is farmiliar to
them. DON’T PUT ANOTHER BIRD OUTSIDE TO MAKE THEM COME HOME. You are
putting that bird at risk.
Call the Hotline and put an ad in the
newspaper. Don’t give up. In the spring, summer and fall, birds can
find shelter and food. Parakeets are “taken under the wing” of small
wild birds. In the winter, however, you must act first. In either case,
you must take a found bird to the vet immediately.
If you find a bird, put an ad in the newspaper, such as “found small or
large pet bird” with your phone number. Let the caller describe the
bird. MAKE SURE YOU GIVE IT WATER AND FOOD RIGHT AWAY. If you do not
have bird food, give them bread, dry unsweetened cereal, pieces of
apples, bananas, oranges, corn (not canned), bocccolli, green beans.
Whatever is healthy for you is healthy for the bird.
If you don’t have
a cage, you can use a cat carrier. Never put a bird in a box (not
enough air). You can also use a large plastic container with a screen
for a cover. Do not put the bird in the garage, as the fumes within can
kill the bird. If you have cats, put the bird in a room with a door to
protect him from the cats. If you have other birds, you must quarantine
the newly found bird from your flock. The found bird will be very
tired; this is normal. Try to let it sleep in a quiet place.
I will tell you one “tail” from the hotline. Three friends were walking
to their other friend’s home. They heard a voice yelling to them. Being
they were close to his house, they called him and said, “why are you
yelling at us?” He said, “what are you talking about?” They told him
that they heard his voice. The boy was so excited that he ran outside
and asked where the voice had come from. They said "up there." The boy
ran to a tree and looked up. His mother’s blue and gold macaw had been
out for three days. The boy was bird sitting and the bird got out. He
didn’t know how he was going to tell his mother. He went and got a
ladder and the bird got on his shoulder and came down the tree. (This
is very unusual.) Most birds are too afraid. The four young people took
the bird into the house where he ate and drank for the next half hour.
Some stories have good endings, but most do not. Some birds find homes
with new families and some are found and do get returned to their
owners. If you lose or find a pet bird, please call me. I will try to
help. If you find a bird and cannot keep it, I will try to find a
foster home for it. If you are an angel and choose to keep it, I will
help you with the care of a bird! Please do not hesitate to call with
any questions. Please leave a message and I will call you back in the
evening. 518-346-1143.
bravenet.com