Help! Finch on the loose!

Pugwinkle · Post by **Pugwinkle** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 11:11 am

I was moving my female zebra finch to a cage of her own and she managed to get free. She is flying around in our unfinished basement with an unfinished ceiling. I have spent the last couple of hours trying to catch but her it appears futile since there are so many places she can go to get away from me.

I would appreciate some advice on how to get this bird back into a cage?!?!?!?!?

Post by **Sally** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 11:31 am

Do you have a long-handled net? These are very handy, since you can catch the bird without having to get so close to it. In such a large space, you could place an empty cage with door propped open and something like spray millet, or whatever her favorite is, inside. Can you turn the lights dim to the point of being almost dark in the basement? The birds are more likely to sit still long enough to catch. Another way to slow them down is to spray them with water--once they get very wet, it is harder for them to fly, so easier to catch--the problem in your basement will be getting close enough to spray her!

Good luck!

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 11:39 am

I think Sally has listed all the best ways to catch a loose bird -

-long handled net
-empty cage with bait / favourite food
-dim the lights
-spray with water

Good luck and let us know when you catch her. She will get tired of flying in a big open space after a while.

kittani79 · Post by **kittani79** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 4:37 pm

Best method by far if possible.... get your long handled net.... stand in the middle of the room.... get the bird in flight, then turn off the lights. Bird flutters to the ground, you listen where, then use a flashlight or flick lights on/off to verify visually, and poof....bird in a net.

Pugwinkle · Post by **Pugwinkle** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 5:56 pm

Thanks everyone! I did finally catch her. She ended up upstairs and she went into the bathroom so I closed the door. It was a much smaller area so a bit easier. Finally she went into the sink, I threw a small towel on her and was able to get her that way. Whew! What a day!

James · Post by **James** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 6:05 pm

Take an empty cage put food and water in cage with door proped open, put a desk lamp on top of cage. turn all lights off except the desk lamp. after a while she will go in the cage. With water and food she will stay there. when you come back you will be in the dark till you get close to the cage and she will not see you till you close the door on her.

James