To my JoJo

[sundancekid]

I lost one of my finches, JoJo, this morning. I was changing the paper in their cage on the front porch, which I do all the time. Well, I'm about 4 months pregnant and "placenta brain" has been a very, very real thing for me. I did something super stupid.... I slid the tray out to dump a bunch of hulls and didn't notice JoJo was on the bottom perch. She flew right out the bottom. I chased her around the yard with a towel and my net for about 2 hours. Of course, she's my youngest and strongest flyer.

I put the cage on the back patio with a bunch of millet and the other finches calling to her, but she just didn't get it. She finally flew into my neighbor's picket fenced yard. I was about to go ask them if I could go into their yard when she just took one big leap and flew off for good. She went up over the hill behind our houses and into the trees. I looked for her for another 30 minutes, but she's gone for good.... can't see or hear her. I'm leaving some things out for her tonight, but it's supposed to rain. I feel so bad that I did something so stupid. I'm usually so careful.

JoJo- You were loud, full of life and stubborn. We will all miss you. I am choosing to believe that you're out there enjoying your great adventure. Fly free my friend.

[Atbird]

So sorry to hear. This has happened to so many of us.

[lovezebs]

sundancekid

So sorry....
Hopefully someone will find her, and offer her a good home.

I had an escapee today as well (a Zebra girl), but the first thing I did, was hurdle over the dog, and slam the front door shut.

She settled on top of my kitchen cupboards for twenty minutes or so , then flew over one of the flights and onto the window sill, where I grabbed her.

[Kelly]

I'm so sorry

[Babs _Owner]

Is it warm enough out to put the finch cage outside so his cagemates can call him back home??

Maybe even put the cage near an open window so he can hear them outside and maybe find his way back home

Oh I feel so aweful for you right now.

[sundancekid]

Babs

I answered you on my other thread. Not sure if you meant to post in both places.

Thanks everyone. I learned a really hard lesson today. I've been lucky up until now and will never, ever clean a cage outside again.

[Babs _Owner]

sundancekid

Yeah I didnt realize there were two threads and it was too late to edit the other one.

But dont give up yet. Try leaving the cage by an open window, screen open and all on the side of the house he flew away from. Birds have such amazing hearing.

I had a robin that flew out too soon and was gone......for two horrible days (it was not ready to survive on its own). I had my cages on the back patio. By day three, he was back sitting on top on the cage! Although he was exhausted and thin, the sound of the other robins in the cage called him home.

When they fly away, they get confused-dissoriented.....then their better sense kicks in and they start listening for familiar sounds to back track home. Its not a guarantee but its the best shot.

You may end up with a surprise on top on the cage. (LOL then slam the window shut and get out your butterfly net!

[Babs _Owner]

sundancekid

Another thing to try is playing male song recordings louldy out of the open window with the cage nearby. She cant possible resist a male singing to her while she is lost.

Make sure to leave food and water on the top of the cage. (hoping for the best)!

[sundancekid]

Babs

I will put them back on the front porch in the morning. We are expecting more storms tonight so I can't leave the windows open.

[Babs _Owner]

sundancekid

Probably a good idea, since they cant fly at night anyway. He may very well be in the bushes of trees of your yard now.

Good luck honey. Male song recordings may bring surprisng results.