Horrible Mothers Day! My bird excaped...

[isabird]

I decided that I wanted to spend the morning cleaning out the aviary and small cages. I am getting ready to sell a few of the young and add a couple more finches that have been in quarantine to the aviary. I was also planning on adding my female sea-green parrot finch to the aviary to be with the lonely male. As I opened the door all the birds began to fly around and from the corner of my eye I could see one fly out! It was my male parrot finch. I am so sad as he is my only one. Is there any chance of catching him? Any ideas out there? I don't see him but maybe he will come back?
I know it is unlikely but I'm so sad.

[KoacNation]

Sorry about your Mother's Day being ruined. I wish I had something to say to help you out.

[L in Ontario]

Awww I'm so sorry to hear of your bird escaping, Natalie. The only thing I've heard of is to put a cage outside by the aviary with his favourite food inside - millet spray, dish of water, etc. Good luck.

[Sally]

So sorry to hear this, Natalie. All I can suggest is to do as Liz suggested and put out some tempting food for him. Since he is used to being in the aviary, perhaps he will stay close.

[isabird]

I placed a cage with an open door by the avairy with some millit in it. Hopefully he will come back. So far I caught the wild bird that hangs around and eats the seeds that falls from the avairy. I have not seen my parrot finch yet though

[albert]

Oh sorry for the escape Natalie, hope he's still around and comes back since yours are outdoor aviary.

I got my pair of Peale PF fly away lately, yes... it's a pair, the male got out and then the female followed about 2 months after.

I did not give up and hope you are not too,

[isabird]

My husband actually saw him today flying around our yard he actually got within feet from him with no luck catching him ( I was not home). The little guy is so quick I can't imagine a net working. Hopefully the cage will work

[lovemyfinch]

I am sending good vibes your way Nathalie, in hopes that he returns home.

[Chris103]

So sorry to hear about your little guy
The open cage with food is a good idea....I have caught several escapees that way....but I do it a bit different. I put another finch in a smaller cage inside of the bigger open cage with food and water...(does that make sense.. ..a cage inside a cage). That way the escapee is more likely to see the other bird eating and enter the cage. I then spend the whole day outside to keep an eye out. Most of the time they wont stray too far from the area....especially since he's been in an outdoor aviary and he can hear the other finches. I Dont know how your aviary is set up so this may not be an option but.....if you see him on or around the aviary but not going in the trap cage...you could try and catch all the birds in the aviary and put them in one cage...leaving the aviary door open. If you do that, make sure you keep a close eye out for any predators. Cats and hawks are a big problem in my area. I had to do that once for a Saffron finch, it was a pain but I got him! The only other suggestion I have is to try and find out where he is roosting at night. If you see him go to roost somewhere in the afternoon wait until it is totally dark and try to sneak up on him.
Best of luck catching this guy, and keep us updated!

[L in Ontario]

Good luck Natalie - don't give up.

[isabird]

Thanks Everyone,
Maybe when I get home from work today I will add my female parrot finch to the cage. It is a split cage so I can put her on one side and open the door on the other side for him to come in. I'm not too hopeful but it is worth a try.

[Domenic]

The fact that you are seeing him around your yard is fantastic! I expected you to never see him again. I know you can do this, just keep trying.

[CandoAviary]

Just saw this post...I would leave plenty of food out for him and the female parrot finch is probably the best bate to catch him with
I had a friend one time had a zebra live in the yard all summer before she was finally able to catch him. She and I built a covered perch that hung on the side of the aviary. Basically it was a wooded box (12" square) with the wire of the aviary on one side and opened on the outside. The perch was attached to the box frame. She kept a bowl of water and a seed cup there. Also placed it up high away from predators. The bird soon began to hag out on this perch all day with the company of his friends through the wire. He also began to roost in it. One night after dark my frind snuck out and netted the sleeping bird without incidence..... He was thrilled to be back in the aviary...she then built a security area and door.
Best of luck.

[the.puppeteer]

Contact animal rescue organizations in your area. I know it sounds crazy but a LOT of stray birds end up at the shelter I work at. We currently have two stray budgies and a couple weeks ago we had two stray canaries come in on different days with matching leg bands! We do get stray finches in from time to time as well so it's definitely worth a shot!

-Julie

[monotwine]

Oh gosh what a terrible thing to happen on Mothers day or any day for that matter. Everyone has good suggestions and I agree the fact that you have seen your finch about is a very optimistic sign. Any escapees from my aviary have never been seen again.

My friend recently got home and his aviary door had somehow opened. nearly all his birds had flown out. He spent the weekend with cages / cage doors propped open and tied to string with himself on the end. Put seed inside. As soon as he had birds inside he sprung the trap and managed to catch at least 25 or so birds this way.

Keeping fingers crossed you can get him back.