I thought it would be great to start a thread with ideas on finding lost birds. Perhaps with all of our suggestions, we can put together one thread and sticky it. I'll volunteer to do this, once we have responses.

I, for one, am a volunteer for 911 Parrot Alert. I receive a daily digest of birds that are lost, found or unfortunately stolen. I try to review the different posts and possibly match a lost bird with a found bird. I have been successful in reuniting birds on two occasions.

Other suggestions I have received are as follows:

1. If the bird is high in a tree, usually the local fire department will not respond. Call a tree service with a bucket truck. Try to go up in the bucket with the tree service personnel, as a stranger may scare your bird.

2. If you are unable to ride in the bucket truck with the tree service personnel, have them bring a large pillow case. It may stress the bird out, but the bird will be safe for the short period of time the bucket is descending to ground level.

3. If the bird is not in sight, put the bird's cage outside.

4. Post fliers EVERYWHERE - and post a reward, even if the amount is not noted. Some people find a bird and think it is worth money so they keep it. If they think they can get some easy money, they may be more willing to give up their "found treasure". Posts them in local convenience stores and do not limit your posting area. Birds can fly long distances.

5. Talk to the kids in the neighborhood. They all go to school together and someone is bound to know that "Johnny" got a new bird.

6. Take out ads in local newspapers. Post a reward.

I will post more as I think about them. Any additional suggestions are welcome.

Great idea Kathie to get this info. together and post a sticky on it.
I have some tips but will post later. Have to feed some babies now.

After losing little Jack awhile back I can make a suggestion. Posting fliers is a great resource. But when you lose your bird its really hard to make and copy the fliers. (Just no time, your heart forces you outside to search) After our incident, we have on hand 1000 fliers ready to go for each bird, if the need ever arises. (This is allot, but every flier posted brings more hope of recovery) Do not print a date on the fliers, but leave a space to write the date in. Most local Bulletin Boards at grocery stores require all posting's to have a date. And most business's will remove all fliers after 7 days.

Also as I learned from a good friend, You cannot ever have enough high power spot lights to ad in searching. I know when Jack flew away, our Search party (Still can't thank them enough) was determined to continue the search well after dark.

Binoculars, this goes without saying. Everyone needs a FEW pairs, don't believe me. Just ask Amber, she spotted Jack flying high in the sky the next morning, that's what lead us to him.

But most important, NEVER GIVE UP HOPE. Think positive thought, miracles do happen, I know they do. Jack is a miracle bird in more ways than you will ever know.

Thanks, Lance. So glad you got Jack back. We were all so worried!!! (And I know what a miracle bird that little guy is!)