Checklist for Recovering a Lost Bird

I found "Sky" (my first bird - it's a Budgie) in a parking lot earlier this month and consequently spent many hours searching the web for sites to post about finding this bird, and trying to locate a report of the loss of this <ahem> parrot. I have written the article printed below as a result of my experience. I feel strongly that the information in this article should be distributed to The Real Macaw Parrot Club members and others who own birds.

We care for our birds on a daily basis by meeting all of their needs and offering them a safe, secure environment. Yet, if given a chance they would fly right out our doors. What would you do if this happened to you? Following is a list of items you need to have handy, and a series of tasks to perform, when you lose sight of your bird.

A. Before your bird disappears, assemble the following items:

1. Color Photograph of your Bird - a full-body shot of your bird with something indicating your bird's size displayed against a light background would work best. If you have a computer with a color printer have your photograph pre-scanned into your computer;
2. Staples and Staple Gun(s) - for attaching posters to utility poles. A box of 4,000 staples will allow you to post approximately 1,000 posters;
3. Scotch Tape - for attaching posters to glass;
4. Duct Tape - for attaching posters to brick;
5. Maps of your Surrounding Area and City - when responding to sightings you will use your maps to work your way into areas you aren't familiar with. Maps should be detailed and show street names, and where possible property addresses to assist you in arriving quickly at the location at which your bird is sighted (these types of maps are often found in book form and may also be available via computer programs, such as Rand-McNallys Street Finder). A less detailed fold-out map can be marked with sightings to show if sightings of your bird are occurring in a predictable pattern;
6. Telephone Answering Machine - when your bird is lost leave a message on your answering machine telling callers that you will check your machine every hour for messages concerning your lost bird. Some finders may turn a found bird loose if they can't get a quick response from its owner; and...
7. Telephone Number Directories - a computer program, Select Phone, enables its user to print out all the phone numbers in a given area. This would enable you to call all the people in the area where your bird is sighted. Telephoning 50 residences can get the word out faster about your lost bird than door-to-door contact.

B. As soon as your bird disappears do the following:

1. Put your bird's cage outside in plain view. Make sure food is in the bowls and place larger foods on the top of the cage. Leave your cage outside until your bird is found;
2. Recruit people you know who can begin to search your neighborhood and surrounding area immediately. Do not wait to see if your bird will return on its own; the sooner you begin your search the greater the chance that your bird will be returned. Using a bicycle can help searchers cover a larger area. Searchers should keep in mind that a scared bird will not make frequent sounds; searchers should retrace their steps many times and listen for your bird to call out. If your bird is seen, it shouldn't be chased, as people are more likely to get tired before your bird does, rather your bird should be enticed to come to your searchers with some of its favorite food or toys; and...
3. Notify each of your neighbors that your bird is missing.

C. If you haven't seen your bird after an hour of searching do the following:

1. Telephone the local pet stores, veterinarian clinics, police stations, and humane societies to inform them of the disappearance of your bird;
2. Place notices of the disappearance of your bird in the lost and found sections of your local papers -- specify bold print;
3. Notify the Editors of your local papers of the disappearance of your bird. One may choose to write a feature article of your bird, which would provide you with wider exposure;
4. Make a poster for distribution. Since most people will not be able to identify the weight, sex, breed, or age of your bird, a good description of color, markings, feather length, and type is essential. Your poster should contain the following information: the picture of your bird, a description of your bird, any information that would help someone entice your bird to come to them (i.e., your birds favorite treats, sayings, or games), your name, your telephone nwnber and an alternative telephone number (in case your first number is busy or otherwise unavailable), the location where your bird disappeared, and the word 'REWARD'. Do not specify the amount of the reward in your poster. If your birds picture is scanned into your computer and you have a color printer, you can quickly print out your posters yourself An alternative is to tape your photograph onto a piece of paper containing the necessary information and taking your completed poster to a copy shop to be duplicated in color. Color copies on white paper will make the best use of your photo. When creating your poster, remember that when exposed to sun and rain Black ink often remains readable the longest, so the important information on your poster should be printed in Black. Expect your bird's photo and other information printed in color ink to wash away over time;
5. Make several hundred copies of your poster; and...
6. Put your posters on phone poles at every intersection in your town, inside of grocery stores, libraries, pet stores, vets, and any other public place that will allow you to hang them. Give a poster to your mail carrier, newspaper delivery person, gardener, and others who may spot your bird as they spend time outside. Go door-to-door leaving posters with your near and distant neighbors. After you have posted throughout your town, cover a wider area less intensively leaving posters at stores, intersections, and veterinarian offices.

D. After your bird has been missing for one day, do the following:

1. Contact a local youth organization, such as the Boy Scouts or Key Club, and request their assistance searching your neighbor or posting posters; and...
2. Visit the local humane societies so that you can look for your bird among those they are harboring. Leave a poster at the shelters and plan to return at least once a week and call at least twice weekly to inquire as to the recovery of your bird.

E. As long as your bird is missing, do the following:

1. Be prepared to receive prank calls. Also expect to receive calls about other found birds;
2. Don't give up too soon. Keep looking for your bird for at least a month, as birds have been recovered long after that period of time has passed;
3. Have a cage immediately available to the searchers you recruit in which they may house your bird after it is found; and...
4. Get the word out about your lost bird to as many people as possible to ensure they will keep their eyes out for your bird, and will recognize your bird should they come in contact with it. They will also know how to contact you if they see your bird, and may feel more comfortable catching it if they know that it belongs to someone, and a reward is involved.

Remember that taking preventative measures will minimize your chances of having a lost bird. When your bird is outdoors, consider placing a harness on your bird or clipping your feathered friend's wings. Recovering your bird can be made easier if you have a record of your bird's leg band, have a microchip inserted under your birds skin, have your bird tattooed, or invest in DNA fingerprinting.