Dear Bird Lovers of All Kinds

We have noticed due to the numerous closing of long time local bird shops and pet shops in the city, we have become the epicenter for those who find lost birds, injured birds or have lost birds of their own.

About three weeks ago we were called and asked how to retreive a parrot that had flown out their front door. I said it was very difficult to get one back once this has happened but to get their family and friends together and get out there and start looking around the neighborhood as soon as possible. Call out for it, bring a favorite toy to wave in the air, a dish of food and to make flyers with the birds picture on it and plaster every surface with one. Do it again the next day too.

Unfortunately, I did not think to ask the persons name and number and they never called back.

Well, as it started to rain, the bird was found by children in a low bare tree (it is early spring) and within an hour was now captive. We offered housing for a couple weeks in hopes the bird would be able to reunited with its owner. The children even produced flyers and we had one on our frontt door and they plastered the area near their school and in the neighborhood.

The school came for the bird in a few days as they had aquired a cage large enough for it, we gave them food and wished them the best. In a few days one of our regular customers came in, and it was revealed one of his birds had escaped within the same time frame. We showed him the picture of the bird on our BLOG and he said it was his Coco.

.We put him in touch with the now keeper of the bird and he is currently trying to prove that it is his bird. He is scrambling to locate a photo of the bird and his little girl, get copies of vet records, where he bought it, etc as the people that have the bird now, are sceptical that he is the owner and won't budge. This can become a civil matter if they cannot make a solid identification. We hope the owner can prove the bird is his and will be happy and home again soon.

We feel it is his, one small thing in particular is the bird adores peanuts and when I fed him a good mix (Goldenfeast Schmidts Original),he went right to the couple of peanuts with no hesitation and this customer buys his treat bags of peanuts from us. But considering one amazon will look just like another amazon, unless the frightened bird, runs right to its lost owner and says his name, it is hard to prove it is really his bird.

By the way, we had the bird vanity clipped by a well known groomer as we did not want this to happen again. The bird does not look clipped and still has some control to flutter about, just not soar.

Few people think about this sort of thing, some feel "birds gotta fly" and don't clip. But a bird that is clipped once a year or so at least, gets used to depending on their humans more, are easier to pick up and their attitudes are a lot better if they had previously been uncontrollable at home. Micro chipping is a good option but not all birds can be microchipped if they are thin. A fuller muscled bird can take a chip better. A band is a good idea, if it contains numbers or letters but many have plain bands if any at all.

If you must have your bird flighted then be sure your home has TWO doors to go through when entering and leaving in case the bird decides to follow, it will be stopped before the outer door is opened. If your bird is banded or not, take pictures, lots of them.

Today, a woman with a wild bird in a box came in just before closing and said the bird was found on the sidewalk. It appeared to have a broken wing and was stunned. She thought it was a Red Headed woodpecker, I thought it was a Downy woodpecker but finally identified it as a Yellow Bellied Sapsucker. Just beautiful up close as it turned its head to look at us.

We put her in touch with the Flint Creek Wildlife Sactuary who will take the bird tomorrow morning. We really do not have the abitlity to assist with wild birds and injured ones especially but this local facility has dedicated itself in saving the birds that become injured and lost during the migratory seasons that bring them through Chicago.

This was also the same sactuary that saved the Canadian hawk that got stuck in the cow catcher in the front of a freight train and rode to Chicago in the cold winter, exposed to the elements. The hawk is now healing and may have to live in captivity the rest of its life but it is alive and cared for with love.

Please think about how your own birds at home can get out of your home and try to make the changes that will keep the birds safe.

Birds were created to plant the earth, be a joy to behold and seen. Lets keep them safe.

Catherine Tobsing
President
Windy City Parrot Birdie Boutique
906 N. Western Ave
Chicago, Illinois 60622
312.492.9673 ext 102
312.492.9674 Fax