IndianRingNeck.com

[kimtoo]

Hi

Yesterday someone in my neighborhood came to me house to see if I was missing a bird...I have a congo african grey and a small flock of Fishers lovebird siblings. I was not missing a bird but someone is. I followed my neighbor down the street and over a block to where he had seen a parrot walking around someone's driveway. He had questioned the owners of the house and about 6 houses on each side as well as across the street, noone was missing a bird or knew anyone who even owned a bird (except the crazy bird woman up the street, me! ).

He took me to where he had last seen the bird climbing into a bush and there she(?) was. An IRN. I think from what I have been able to find out that it is a female, either that or an immature bird. Not knowing thing one about IRN's, I am hoping you can tell me how to tell the difference.

Anyway, after just a little follow the leader through bushes, hedges, and sticky vines, I was able to capture the bird. As one might expect, she was upset. She upchucked once but that was it. I took her home and isolated her in the den of my house, placing her in one of my extra cages. She was eating fruit and a veggie and pellet mix before the night was out and this morning she let me know that she wanted to see who else was around. I think she had been alone long enough! She is trained to step-up but then immediately wants to go to a shoulder. She only bit me once (!) when I tried to hold her feet under my thumb to keep her on my hand. It also looks like she was clipped but her flight feathers are now partially grown in.

I am putting a notice up at the local vets and pet stores and will also monitor the local paper...but, if no one comes forward to claim her, she has a new home with me. In the meantime I need to know how to handle her. Any advice would be appreciated.

kim

[EDIT SITE ADMIN]

Here are some pictures of the missing bird.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=198544m2.h7j2lya&Uy=p3g5m5&Ux=0

Here is the contact info to reach Kim in the event you think you may have some information.

kreich@zoo.ufl.edu

Good luck troops!

[Google]

[Guest]

can you have the bird scanned for a microchip. Mine is microchipped in the hope if it ever got loose I'd be able to get it back if someone found it.
They are very intelligent little bird. You'll have a great time with her.
Sue

[Dani03]

Great idea Sue! I am going to microchip my babies asap...been meaning to but money has been a little tight.

Also...Welcome to our community Kim. Post pics if you have them...I personally would LOVE to see your grey. Though we may be a ringneck site we love all fids.

Dani

[Mikaela]

Kimtoo:

I admire the way you handled this situation. If only God blessed us all with common sense as he has you.

You are a great person and I am so proud to have you onboard as we try to re-place the bird. Or if you keep it.

Im very happy about this. If only all babies could be captured and taken care of.
_________________
~ Mikaela Sky

[kimtoo]

Thanks for the replies. Checking for a micro-chip is a great idea. If I had microchipped my babies I probably would have thought of that! I am calling my vet now, 1) to see if he will scan this sweet lost baby for me, and 2) to microchip my grey!

I will happily post some pictures of my babies. I'll get a few pic's of the newest addition and post them too.

She (the IRN), is happily munching away on squash, broccoli, an assortment of cooked beans, radishes, fresh spinich and some dried veggie, pellet mix. I have also discovered that I have another grape fiend on my hands. We took her cage out on the deck in the backyard yesterday and she seems to enjoy being outdoors. Last night we ate out there and she made it known IMMEDIATELY that she wanted some of my corn on the cob, so of couse, I shared. She takes food very gently from fingers.
she also has an afinnity for gingersnaps!

I'll post pictures later...btw, at the risk of sounding like an idiot, what does FIDS stand for?

Kim

[xo Missi]

I love this story! You are such a wonderful person!! I hope she finds her origional owner but if she doesn't, it sounds like she has a perfect home with you!! *hugs*

[Dani03]

Sounds about right. Though I am hoping that you can find the owner...on the other hand we KNOW that bird will have a good life with you. I am definatly going and getting my fids done!

Dani

[jen5239]

Those pictures are very nice. Looks like a wonderful cage set up you have for all your babies! Good luck with finding her owner. If not she's definitely going to have a wonderful life with you! Thank you for being so caring! And thank the neighbor for caring enough to come get u!

And Fid stands for "feathered kid" if no one else told you.

Hugs,
Jen
_________________

[kimtoo]

Thanks Jen!

The birds all have large cages on the front porch which is covered. We live on a corner in a small neighborhood where people walk...their dogs, their kids, with each other, and the grey especially loves this. He talks to everyone that goes by, barks at their dogs and sends the neighbors running inside for their telephones. The weather is nice enough here that they can be out during the day for most of the year. If this new little girl is not reunited with her family, I'll get her checked by the vet for the suite of potential avian diseases and if she is given the all clear, then she can go our on the front porch with the rest of them. Until then, she is spending nice days on the back deck and her nights in the den.

She is a little skittish when her cage is approached and about getting on my finger but when I leave the room, she calls ...She is definitely used to eating dinner with the family!

kim

[kimtoo]

Hi all,

Just back from the vet. Had the sweet things wings clipped so we can get to know each other without her flying into walls...sadly, she was not microchipped thus getting her reunited with her family is looking less hopeful. But, stranger things have happened.

What is really puzzling me is that when i caught her, she led me on a foot chase and climbing expedition but she never flew. She was fully feathered...

Anyway-I have now notified all of the avian vets in town and the three main petstores, other than watching the classifieds I don't really know what else to do.

In the meantime, she seems to be getting more comfortable all the time and she is certainly eating well.

Cheers,
kim

[Mattls]

Any updates on this kimtoo?

[kimtoo]

Her name is Summer and she is now part of my family. Unfortunately we were never able to locate her previous family.

She is a great bird--