Ideas for finding a lost bird

Sadly it seems one of the most common forms of presumed parrot death is "escape." Since it comes up so often relatively, I thought I'd list a bunch of things to try if your bird ever escapes, and I'd love for others to add their ideas as well. Some of these ideas also work for if you find an escapee and wish to advertise about it. If you're posting about your lost bird, I suggest you be highly descriptive and offer a reward; if you're posting about a found bird I recommend give only a color and size (not even species name unless cockatiel or budgie) and require the claimant to describe the bird.

1. Post online for free at / Search online "found pet" postings at
1. 911 Parrot Alert webpage / Yahoo group
2. Petfinder post for free and search their found pets
3. Your local Craig's List
4. Bird Hotline - "found" page not regularly updated.
5. Birdmart found ads
6. Flealess Lost/Found Pets
7. Lost and Found - page not currently up
8. You may wish to use a "disposable" email address for these and other ads, since spammers WILL find you.
2. Post a classified in your local paper (sometimes their online classifieds are free, but a paper version will reach more people), and read the found pet classifieds too.
3. Post physical signs at
1. Telephone poles, bus shelters, maybe mailboxes within 5 miles (increasing by 1 mile per day)
2. Parks and places with trees/grass
3. Grocery stores, gas stations, highway exit/entrance ramps
4. Around schools and other places children hang out (kids are often more observant than adults)
5. Pet stores, vets' offices, and other places you might see pet lovers
6. Guide to making signs
4. Call and inquire/give info to
1. Vets
2. Animal control services
3. Pet stores
4. Wildlife Rescues/Rehabilitation Centers
5. Bird rescues
5. Have you tried?
1. Leaving the cage out at night and during the day with treats inside?
2. Walking around the neighborhood whistling, yelling, or ringing a favorite bell toy (saves your voice)?
3. Taking a flock member outside (in a well-sealed cage or on a harness)?
4. Talking to neighbors, especially kids
6. More Links / Tips from others
1. Tips from Petfinder
2. Foster Parrots' Tips
3. Tips from Tailfeathers
4. Links from Sunny's "Parront"
7. If you get a call that a bird's been spotted...
1. 'Immediately' rush to the scene with the items below - birds can move fast, so make sure you have these things ready before you get the call. Also keep in mind there's a chance it's a *different* bird than yours.
2. Bring cage, treats and toys to lure your bird
3. Bring a towel and a pillow case for catching your bird (even a tame bird may be panicked)
4. If it's cold also chemical handwarmer packages to heat your bird.
5. If someone calls with a ransom, be sure to see the bird before she paying out to make sure it's the same bird, and that the bird actually exists. Last thing you want in this time of crisis is to be handing out money to cheats, or buy someone else's unwanted bird off of them.
8. If/when you get your bird back home safely
1. Quarantine from any other birds in the house for 30 days, just as if it's a new bird - you never know what s/he's picked up during his/her adventure.
2. Provide an excess of water, treats, and food - your bird is likely dehydrated and underfed, in addition to terrified.
3. Get a vet checkup within a day or two, including a stool sample at a minimum, and a throat culture is highly desirable as well.