Need support. My pet is missing

[Thumperina]

Its not a bunny who is missing but I still wanted to post here. One of my cockatiel birds today somehow managed to open the cage when they were having outdoor time. At least I think this is what happened. My husband says I might forget the close the door but I think the probability of this is really slim. They were in the cage on the porch, we were inside.
When we looked out, the door was open halfway and one bird was missing. We can open the door halfway or the full way.
We have been looking for him all day today. I personally looked through at least ten surrounding backyards and we handed out flyers to all immediate neighbors. We put posters on the street lights. We walked everywhere and we had another bird on the porch all day long in hope Chipper would come to his companion's voice.
It's dark now, getting windy and there is a chance of thunderstorm. He is domesticated bird. He could fly pretty well in the house. He is 3 yo and very outgoing. He maintained a great contact with people.
I feel really bad.

 

[Azerane]

I'm so sorry, I really hope you find him soon!!

 

[pani]

ray: I hope your cockatiel comes home soon!!

My family found a domestic cockatiel a few years ago. She was sitting happily on our pool fence and came indoors easily, and we kept our eyes peeled for 'lost' posters. I hope a similar situation happens in your case.

 

[lovelops]

I had a friend lose his bird the same way. Good luck and I hope you find your baby soon.


Vanessa

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

Keep looking. Call vets in the area, and any exotics vets. Also file a missing pet report with the spca. Posing online helps too, not everyone sees lost pet flyers.

You might set up a safe space for him if he does come back. Leave the cage door open with food and water. He might come back to the area he knows.

 

[Aushi]

ray:

 

[mariethomas]

I know it's not the same but, my friend had a cat that ran away. He amazingly came back months later. I hope your bird comes back soon. Good luck.

 

[MILU]

Maybe you should post a pic that people could also share on facebook.. if it goes viral in your area, you might find your birdie pretty soon.

 

[Watermelons]

do you own other animals?
or can you leave the remaining bird in its cage right in a door opening and leave the door open. its usually suggested to leave a cage with food and water outside and any other birds you own that the missing ones used to hearing outside as well. but i find their easier to catch if you can at least get them into the house.

 

[ChocoClover]

My old piano teacher had a parrot that she lost the same way.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

ray: The only addition I have is that if you have a spare cage put it out with the other one and keep an eye out and hopefully your bird will return. We have a lovebird that has been in our back yard trees lately but won't let you near.

 

[kmaben]

If you can put the cage out remember to put it in a spot that is clear of trees so the bird looking down can see it. I read one article that recommended putting it on top of a car or the top of your house. They tend to stick in the area until startled but can fly pretty far. Like towns or counties over.

http://www.cockatielcottage.net/lost.html

The link has several numbers that are bird specific lost and found numbers. I really hope you find your bird.

 

[Thumperina]

Thanks folks for all your support and the information! We eventually are acting not the correct way I didn't expect them to be able to fly so well and far (honestly, I didn't expect him to survive long in the wild without food or water or basic skills). I do not have a spare cage but I will get one and put it on top of the house (its awfully hot out there. Not a problem?)
I was really concentrating on the nearby area. Now I think that advertising with the radio may be a good idea.
We also have a "high power voltage - stay out" electricity generating station nearby, I was concerned about it. I wonder how they survive thunderstorms. We had one bad yesterday.

Yes, I checked shelter, the Humane society, 2 vet clinics, 2 zoos and some pet stores that sell birds (left posters everywhere). No sign of Chipper so far.

 

[pani]

ray:

 

[Watermelons]

They can do fairly well out there sometimes.
I ended up with a budgie that used to be somebody elses pet that escaped. Never did find the owners. He was flying loose in the neighbourhood for awhile, and when he was close to one of our neighbours houses, I grabbed 2 of my budgies, stuck them in a travel cage and brought that over to our neighbours house. We put them right at a window and opened the window, sure enough the loose bird heard my guys chirp and flew right in the window.
So if your missing bird can hear your other bird their likely to come to the sound. Just make sure you don't leave the cage in direct sunlight or allow it to get too hot which is why leaving a window or door open but keeping the current bird inside out of the sun is nice.
But you will want to cover a very large area as far as advertising the missing bird. Hit up craigslist and other online classifieds, vet clinics, shelters, pet stores, basicly everything in your county or neighbouring one if youre near the edge... or further if youd like.

 

[Thumperina]

I would say that people could catch him (etc) if they care - like you described you put some effort to catch the loose budgie. If somebody never dealt with birds, they more likely wouldn't even pay attention. He doesn't have any bright colors - just grey and white (he is a white-headed cockatiel). Most people would scream if a bird lands at your head and just shake it off. I hope he got around some caring people.
The weather is not the best now. Its getting pretty hot and also windy. Expecting some thunderstorms that can be severe. At least its been warm at nights.
We hope for the best.
We have another cockatiel that we bring to the porch (it has a roof). its not easy to spot from top but easy to hear. plus a huge tree by front porch where lots of wild birds live. A problem is that if something is in the shade, its hard to spot. All clearly visible spots would be at the open sun.

 

[Thumperina]

Where do they get energy to fly far?

 

[Thumperina]

Also, how long shelters would keep the bird? We have only one in town and its covered. I haven't been to any other shelters in other towns (we basically have a metro-area that have nothing around. he'd better stay in town)
I was told that in the whole city people would bring the bird to the only shelter (Humane society) which is good

 

[Thumperina]

Today was a very stressful day: people were texting and calling us saying that a cockatiel was found not very far away. They saw info on the Facebook (which I don't really use). The bird was sent to the bird store (where I dropped my poster yesterday) but people from the store told me over the phone he was not mine. So frustrating and heartbreaking!!!

 

[whiskylollipop]

I'm sorry you haven't found your bird. You should send the shelter a pic of him if you haven't already, so that if someone brings him in they'll recognise him and call you. Praying he comes home soon! *hugs*