A Congo Grey was lost in Hamilton, NJ on 5/1/07. The owners are heartbroken. He is about 15 years old and is banded. I have their information. If anyone hears of anything, please let me know. There is a generous reward offered.

Fingers crossed and lots of prayers for Granite, the Grey, and his parronts.

AURGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG GGG!!!!

I just moved away from Hamilton!!!!
I hope he is home soon...

I don't have much faith. You know the red tailed hawk population in that area.

Wow - that's amazing. I just worry also because the weather got really cold here. I am not sure how long they can survive and in what temperatures. We had a really bad storm the evening after he apparently flew away.

This woman had me in tears today. I felt so bad for her. She believes in allowing the birds to be full flighted. Unfortunately, it was accidental that he flew out.

HAMILTON -- A week ago Tuesday, John Rose and his wife Karen took their beloved African Grey Congo Parrot out on the back porch for a good-morning yawn, when the family cat strolled up out of nowhere.
Their eyes must have met, and the Grey decided he wasn’t ready to BE breakfast for any cat.

So he flapped his beautiful wings, and flew up, up, and away.

And he hasn’t been back since.

John Rose is the animal control officer in Hamilton. He has been employed by the township for 33 years.

"He’s a humane animal rescuer," said his friend, Josie Piccolelli. "He does so many things for people. This is very traumatic for them. The bird was their baby."

Now Josie and John and Karen are asking readers to do them a favor:

Keep an eye out for the grey parrot with a red tail -- his name is "Granite," by the way -- and report any sighting to Rose by calling him at (609) 540-1227, or the Hamilton Animal Shelter (609) 890-3550.

"It was sighted last at Kuser by Klockner [roads]," John Rose said, "so we went out there searching, and no luck. So we handed a lot more fliers out in that area. Hopefully someone gives us a call." There is a reward.

Asked what he’ll do if "Granite" is sighted in a tall tree, Rose said, "We’re going to bring his perch out there, and some seed -- he’s got to be getting hungry after being gone for a week. So I’m hoping he comes down to eat.

"Actually, we had a call from a kid who spotted him, because he heard the bird talking in the tree," Rose said. "I don’t know exactly what he was saying, but he says ‘Good morning’ to you, and ‘Good night.’ As you’re leaving the house, he’ll say, ‘See ya later.’

"He mimics my voice and my wife’s voice and my son’s voice," Rose said. "He’ll answer the phone when the phone rings. He’s really a special bird, really a good bird."

The Roses got him four years ago from a retired township cop.

"And he’s really a special pet to us," he said. "When an animal talks to you ... he’s just really special, you know?

"I would go to get my coffee in the morning, and he’d say, ‘Good morning.’ I’m ready to go to bed, and he says, ‘Good night.’ So I’ve got a 13-year-old son, John, who’s heartbroken, and my wife."

Thanks, Mike. Yup -they are totally heartbroken. This is the family. Very sad.

Prayers from here for Granite's safety and hopefully his return to his family. Failing that, I hope he at least finds a new home with someone who will care for him.

I get calls quite a bit about bird sightings - will contact you immediately if I hear anything.

I feel sick over this. Thats where the hospital I was in was located.....