Birdman666
Well-known member
- Sep 18, 2013
- 9,904
- 264
- Parrots
- Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
I am trying not to kick myself but I feel so stupid!
Now, keep in mind, flighted or not flighted, mine have been going out in a tree in the yard every nice day for five years. I haven't clipped wings recently, and they are pretty well flighted again.
So yesterday I had them out in the tree while I pressure washed cages, and cleaned the birdroom. We've done this same routine every week for five years without a single incident.
TUSK hates water, though, and while I was washing cages, he went to the tallest branch of the tree. (Which is normal for him. Only this time, he wouldn't come down. Which is not normal for him.) After awhile, I got tired of waiting, and climbed the tree to try and get him down. Couldn't quite reach him. So I grabbed a stick hoping I could either coax him to get on it, or fly to a lower branch.
He chose Option 3: Up, up, and away.
I searched all afternoon for him yesterday. Posted 50 fliers in the area. Got up at the crack of daun this morning when the birds normally vocalize... and found no trace of him.
Life lessons for everyone else: (1) It's better to have them stuck in a tree in your own yard, than flying off on you. I clearly did not think this all the way through. (2) I was complacent because mine are well behaved. They still can, at any given time. Mine did. (3) MAINTAIN THOSE WING CIIPPINGS! If he wasn't flighted he wouldn't have gotten any further than the neighbor's back yard. As it stands, he could be anywhere....
I can only hope that someone finds him before he starves to death, or dies of thirst.
Rachel and I raised this bird from an egg, and it was my last living link to her. I failed to keep him safe. This is all my fault!
I am devistated!
Now, keep in mind, flighted or not flighted, mine have been going out in a tree in the yard every nice day for five years. I haven't clipped wings recently, and they are pretty well flighted again.
So yesterday I had them out in the tree while I pressure washed cages, and cleaned the birdroom. We've done this same routine every week for five years without a single incident.
TUSK hates water, though, and while I was washing cages, he went to the tallest branch of the tree. (Which is normal for him. Only this time, he wouldn't come down. Which is not normal for him.) After awhile, I got tired of waiting, and climbed the tree to try and get him down. Couldn't quite reach him. So I grabbed a stick hoping I could either coax him to get on it, or fly to a lower branch.
He chose Option 3: Up, up, and away.
I searched all afternoon for him yesterday. Posted 50 fliers in the area. Got up at the crack of daun this morning when the birds normally vocalize... and found no trace of him.
Life lessons for everyone else: (1) It's better to have them stuck in a tree in your own yard, than flying off on you. I clearly did not think this all the way through. (2) I was complacent because mine are well behaved. They still can, at any given time. Mine did. (3) MAINTAIN THOSE WING CIIPPINGS! If he wasn't flighted he wouldn't have gotten any further than the neighbor's back yard. As it stands, he could be anywhere....
I can only hope that someone finds him before he starves to death, or dies of thirst.
Rachel and I raised this bird from an egg, and it was my last living link to her. I failed to keep him safe. This is all my fault!
I am devistated!
I so hop Tusk makes it home safely. I bet he will with as smart and bonded as he is! He's probably in someones tree right now being a noisy alarm clock and waiting for you to come find him. Are there any parks or open areas close by he may be hiding in? Please keep us posted.
