What to Do If Your Bird Flies Away Outside

One mistake, that's all it takes, and your beloved bird flies outside. If only you had remembered to shut the other window. Parrots, budgerigars, cockatoos and other domestic birds investigate open windows, even if they would prefer to stay at home. You need to retrieve your bird as quickly as possible, before it becomes prey for the pet cats or flies so far away that it's lost.

  1. Escape

    • Search immediately. The quicker you search the less distance the bird will have covered. It may have flown no farther than a tree in your garden. Look up at the trees, it might be perching high up in the top. Think about the color of your bird and look for it. The bird might be making no sound, for fear of the strange environment it's in. Put the bird cage outside with some of his favorite treats in it. Your bird might spot the cage and return home without the need for capturing it. Throw birdseed on your roof and around your house to attract the bird. Listen for your bird calling. Call out to it; it may respond to your voice and call back. Keep up the search around dawn and dusk, because this is when most birds, particularly cockatoos, are out looking for food.

    Capture

    • Get a ladder if you see your bird in a tree. Move slowly and talk calmly, so that it knows who you are and that you are not a predator. If you do not have a ladder or wish to climb one, ask a neighbor to help. Otherwise most fire departments are able to assist you. Use a pillow case to throw over the bird. Have the bird cage or a box handy to put the bird into.

    Creating Awareness

    • Head out with copies of your bird's picture and an audio recording of its call. If you still cannot find your bird, create awareness of it in the local area and if possible, beyond. Ask friends and neighbors to help you. Put your contact information and a photo of your bird on posters, and post them around the neighborhood.

    Prevention

    • Lock all the windows and doors in the house to prevent escape if you are letting your bird out of its cage. Locking the doors will stop someone from walking in and accidentally letting the bird out. Having the bird's wings clipped is supposed to prevent it from flying; however, this is not always successful and the bird may surprise you by taking off. Microchip the bird. This is done by your veterinarian and will identify your pet and be traced to you if it's found and taken to a vet.

    Preparation

    • Take a picture of your bird and keep it handy. Should your bird fly away, you have a picture ready to show residents nearby, who may have seen the bird. Keep a map of your local area in your house. If your bird escapes you need to navigate the area to search for him. Make a recording of your bird's chirping and singing. You can play it to nearby residents and ask them to contact you should they hear a similar bird call. Keep binoculars in the house to spot your bird.