Judging from the questions we have been receiving, it seems that many of our readers have had this same experience of parrots flying away.
However, when it comes to this, there is almost nothing to worry about since the things that will happen next after your parrot flies away, are pretty much predictable.
It may not be your fault that the parrot has escaped.
The answer to this question is yes, parrots do come back if they fly away. This is because of their natural needs for companionship.
They are social animals and so their lives revolve around their flock, which you are an honorary member.
So when it flies away, your parrot will likely want to come back home.
You can also try to get your bird to come back home with a little persuasion.
However, this may only work if your parrot is outside on a tree.
Being so aerodynamic and strong fliers, it is also likely that your parrot might travel a long distance, which may make it hard for it to find a way back home.
What do I do if my parrot is flying away?
If your parrot is still in the vicinity, there are a number of things you can do to make it come back into the house.
Start with calling your bird loudly as it flies, to help it find a way back to you.
Also, make sure you don’t lose sight of your parrot as it is flying.
Take a note of the last place you saw it, the level of flight, and its body language.
Another helpful trick is to always have a recording of your parrot in advance so that you can play it to lure him back to you.
Remember that since the parrot is not used to flying for long, it may get tired easily, making him an easy target for predators, so make sure you follow him as quickly as possible.
He also may fly into the road and get hit by vehicles.
How do I catch parrot on the ground?
If your parrot lands on the ground, move stealthily so that you do not startle him.
He may fly into you if he is feeling insecure.
In this case, make sure you make him feel secure.
Bring his cage and place it in an open spot where he will see, with some treats and titbits inside the cage to lure him inside or if you can move his cage, use a travel cage like this one from Amazon and put some treats in that instead.
How do I rescue my parrot from a tree?
If your parrot settled into a tree, it is best not to try climbing up there to retrieve him, as he will likely fly away once you startle him.
The best thing to do is stay around and follows in case he flies again.
Use a long-handled net to scoop him up if he is farther away from your reach.
If your parrot is out of reach, maybe high up a tree or on top of a building or a high structure, just relax, unless he is in immediate danger.
Calm down and work for the best strategy to bring him down.
The worst thing you can do is try to scare him down.
If the parrot has just landed, it is likely he will stay there for a while.
Bring other birds or someone who gets along with him, to the area where your parrot is located.
Be sure not to provoke your parrot to fly from a steep angle or a great height, as this could lead to injuries.
Try to make your bird climb down objects or branches that are slightly lower from where he is sitting.
This process will require some patience and a lot of time since your bird might be scared to climb onto a different perch from what he is currently sitting on.
With that in mind, avoid raising unfamiliar objects for your parrot to step on, as this can only scare him away.
When your bird is in a high place, things like ladders, cherry pickers, and people clambering the tree may also scare him away.
Observe your bird’s body language and see if he is ready to come down.
Try also hiding from your parrot occasionally to raise some level of anxiety in him to cause him to climb down.
On many occasions, a parrot will scream when it is about to fly, so make sure to watch out for this sign.
What if the sun is setting and my parrot is still yet to return?
Parrots usually fly around before the sun starts to go down, thus, your last chance to get your bird to return before he starts to perch for the night.
In this situation, you want to get your bird pumped by yelling and creating some sense of excitement to embolden one last flight.
Your bird will start to fluff his feathers when the sun begins to set and get ready to perch for the night.
There is nothing more you can do at this point other than letting him go to sleep.
But ensure you hang around until the sun is set completely.
Remember this location so the following morning you can resume the operation to get your bird to come home.
You should find your parrot at this exact location unless he was startled in the night by owls.
The reason you need to be at this location before the sun raises is that the parrot is likely to fly by around 8 am or try to find his way back home.
So it is important to be around to persuade him to come home.
What if I don’t find my parrot?
Walk around your block calling to your parrot.
Make sure his cage is outside with the door wide open with his favorite treats inside the cage floor.
Create flyers and drop them around your neighborhood.
If it is possible, offer a reward for anyone who has information about the whereabouts of your parrot.
Tell your neighbors to keep an eye out for your parrot.
Call animal control, the SPCA/human society, local zoos, local vets, pet shops, and the local police.
However, don’t reveal your parrot’s band number.
If it accidentally falls into the hands of unscrupulous individuals, they could remove the number.
How long can a parrot survive in the wild?
It depends on many factors.
If it is 24 hours and you have already not found your parrot, chances are he may end up getting adopted by another family.
Parrots usually fly far away from their homes, flying up to 30 miles a day.
Ideally, your parrot might come back after three days if the conditions are harsh in the wild.
Bright color birds find it difficult to survive longer in the wild as they tend to stick out and thus become easy targets to predators like cats and hawks.
Besides, pet parrots may not have the instinct for self-protection.
Also, your parrot may find it hard to find their food in the woods, thus reducing the chances of survival.
How do I prevent my parrot from flying away in the future?
Just like in any other situation, prevention is also the best option here.
There are several steps you can take to prevent your parrot from flying away in the future.
Below are some of these methods.
Trim his flight wings
This is the best technique of preventing your parrot from flying away.
Getting his wing trimmed early on will ensure your bird doesn’t fly around.
Keep trimming his flight the moment you notice new ones.
Clip his feathers
Make sure your parrot’s feathers are clipped every time you go out with him so that he doesn’t fly up too high or far away from you.
Get a mobile cage
A mobile cage like this one on Amazon will ensure your bird is contained even when you go out for a walk or visiting a vet or a friend.
Do not give up
If three days have passed and you are yet to find your parrot, don’t give up.
Be persistent in searching and do not accept that you will not get him back even after a few days have passed.