Birds--General/LOVE BIRDS

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Expert: - 12/15/2006


Question
I HAD 2 3-MONTH LOVE BIRDS THAT ESCAPED THEIR CAGE YESTERDAY.  WHAT ARE THE CHANCES THEY'LL COME BACK AND/OR HOW LONG CAN IT TAKE?  WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP THEM COME BACK OR PREPARE IN CASE THEY DO, TO CATCH THEM CORRECTLY.  I HADN'T TRIMMED THEIR WINGS.  IS THIS A MUST SO THEY DO ESCAPE FAR? WE TRIED TO HOLD/CUDDLE THEM BUT THEY WERE EITHER AFRAID OR JUST NOT USED TO US.  COULD YOU GIVE ME TIPS ON HOW TO DO IT, IN CASE THEY COME BACK.  DOES WING TRIMMING HURT THEM?

Answer
Hi, Gracie.  Thanks for posting!

I'm sorry to hear about this.  These birds most likely will not come back.  They don't know where home is.  They will most likely die, too, because they don't know how to forage for food and find water on their own and they will most likely become victims of predation.  All you can do right now is place a cage outside and call to them to see if they are still in the area.  Put up posters, place an ad in the newspaper, search the neighborhood, etc.

When wing flight feathers are clipped, birds cannot gain altitude, therefore, making it easier to catch them when they are out.  Trimming flight feathers, if done properly, does not hurt parrots.

If these birds were not handfed as babies or were not imprinted on humans, they were afraid of you.  This is why they weren't friendly.  

If they come back, let me know and I'll help you with taming tips.

Chrys  

Birds--General

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Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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