How to Find Your Lost Pet Bird
Losing your bird can be one of the worst things to happen to a bird owner. However, it’s important to remain calm and take the right steps to increase your chances of a happy reunion. In this blog, we’ll discuss some of the best tips and techniques that can help you find your lost bird. Read on to learn more and make your PawBoost lost pet listing as soon as possible!
Check the Area Nearby Your House Right Away
One of the first things you should do is immediately check the area near your house. Domesticated birds can quickly become overwhelmed by the outdoors and may not travel very far after escaping. Start by searching your yard, nearby trees, outdoor structures or anywhere that looks like a good place where your bird may have perched.
Try calling out your bird’s name and listen for any response. Birds will often respond to familiar sounds, which can help you reveal their location if they recognize your voice.
Remember, time is of the essence when searching for a lost pet, especially a lost bird. Searching the area around your house right after your bird gets free can possibly help you find them right away, so you can prevent a prolonged search.
Lure Your Bird
As you check the area around your home, make sure you’re taking steps to make it easy for your bird to find you. Wear bright colors and walk slowly, as your bird will likely be looking for anything familiar at this time. Carry your bird’s cage around with you and have it stocked with some food and treats. If your bird responds to familiar sounds, like your voice or noises you use for training, then make sure to use these familiar sounds to lure your bird toward you.
Remember, your bird often isn’t flying in the open skies. If it sees something familiar, then it will be more likely to head in that direction. Just remember to be ready if your bird comes to you. Have a towel you can throw over the cage or even a bird net to ensure a quick and safe capture.
Get Help from Friends, Family and Neighbors
More eyes searching for your bird means more chances that someone may spot it. Make sure to recruit help from any friends, family or neighbors who are available. They can help you cover more ground and find your feathered friend quickly.
Even if you’re not asking your neighbors for help in your actual search, be sure to notify them and give them your contact information. Since your bird may have stuck close to home, there’s a chance it may end up around one of your neighbors’ homes. If they have your contact info and a description of your bird, they can keep a lookout and let you know if they see it.
Create a Safe and Familiar “Landing Zone”
Your bird will likely be disoriented and scared if they’re not used to being outside of their usual surroundings. You can help give them a safe place to return by creating a “landing zone” that is familiar to them.
You can start by placing your bird’s cage or carrier outdoors. Fill it with their toys, perches and some food and water. Make sure to leave the cage door open so they can easily get in. You should also try setting the cage near the area your bird escaped, so it can be easier for them to find.
It’s also important to keep an eye on the landing zone so you can quickly recapture your bird if they return. You may even consider rigging the door to close when your bird enters the cage.
Remember, patience is key. Give your bird some time to return to the landing zone and be cautious when approaching the cage if they come back. You don’t want to spook them and cause them to fly away again.<p>
Contact Local Shelters and Veterinarians
If you have searched your immediate vicinity and still haven’t found your bird, you should make sure to contact local shelters and veterinarians for assistance. For one, these are places where a lost bird is likely to be turned in, so they can contact you if your bird is found and brought to their location.
You can start by calling your local shelters and veterinarians and providing them with a description of your bird, along with any other details they may need. You may also need to fill out a lost pet report to make sure they have it on file.
Local shelters and veterinarians are great resources because not only will they contact you if your pet is turned in, but they also often have networks and processes that can help increase your chances of finding your missed bird. Don’t hesitate to use these valuable resources as you try to reunite with your lost pet.
Put Up Missing Bird Signs
When you’re searching for a lost bird, you need to spread the word as much as possible. One of the best ways to do this is by posting missing bird signs around your community. Make sure to create bold, eye-catching posters with a clear photo of your bird, its name, where it was seen last and your contact information. You can also include any other relevant details but try to keep the poster succinct and to the point.
Choose high-traffic areas in your community to post your flyers. Community bulletin boards, parks, pet stores, local businesses, veterinarians and animal shelters are all great places to put your missing bird posters. Make sure to ask for permission before putting them up so they don’t get taken down. Also, remember that in most places it’s illegal to put posters on utility poles and in someone’s mailbox, so keep this in mind when hanging them up.
Remember to check back, ensure your posters are still up and update them as needed. The more people who are aware of your missing bird, the better your chances are of finding your pet and having a happy reunion.
Spread the Word Online
Putting up physical lost pet posters is always a great idea since only some are actively checking their social media profiles. With that being said, you should take advantage of the power of online communities and social media to spread the word about your lost bird. This can get potentially hundreds or thousands of people aware of your missing pet.
Start by posting your lost pet on local pet lost and found groups on social media. You can also make a personal post and have your friends and family share it. Another great place to post is any local neighborhood apps that people in your community may use. Similar to your physical posters, make sure your posts include a clear photo of your bird, a detailed description and your contact information. You should also make sure to update your posts regularly or bump them to the top of social media pages to ensure people know your bird is still missing.
You can also really get the word out about your lost bird by utilizing platforms like PawBoost, which is specifically designed to help spread awareness about your lost pet. Best of all, PawBoost is completely free to use.
Get Your Lost Bird Back Home Sooner
Get your lost bird back home sooner with PawBoost. PawBoost is a free pet lost and found platform that can increase your chance of a happy reunion. When you make a lost bird listing on PawBoost, it is added to our lost & found pet database, which is the largest lost & found database online. It is also added to our network of local Facebook pages, sent to our Rescue Squad through push notifications and pushed to our email list. You can even use PawBoost to make free physical posters using our template.
If you want to boost awareness even further, PawBoost also offers paid features like locally-targeted Facebook ad campaigns. Ready to utilize the power of PawBoost to help find your lost bird? Make your listing today!