Lost Grey in West Sacramento

Well, I normally don't let my feeling show much, but this is killing me and it's all my fault.

Lily, my Grey, is greatly missed right now. She was 9 months old to the day when we bought her. We've had her for almost 9 months. I've been lazy about getting her wings clipped as she couldn't fly. She would always try to fly around the house but after about 15 feet or so, she would always have a crash landing. I always have her on my shoulder and have taken her outside untold amounts of times; especially when I was doing something in the garage.

So last night seemed like just another night. I went into the garage, with her on my shoulder and was putting her bathtub perch on the garage refrigerator so she could watch me wash my motorcycle. Just before I put my hand up to my shoulder to get her, the perch fell and it scared her. She jumped off my shoulder took flight and out the garage she went and down the street until I couldn't see her at all. The whole family went out looking for her. I kept walking the neighborhood until almost midnight. We looked in trees, yards, backs of trucks, etc. We figured she was close because, as I've said, she can't fly, or so I thought. We put fliers on every mailbox in the neighborhood as well as on cars and doors of houses that were in the area where we though she may have landed.

This morning we got a call from a nice lady just down the street from us that said when she went out and opened her garage door, Lily was standing in the middle of her driveway. She said that Lily made a squawk noise then flow off. Just after that I saw her flying, and I mean flying, kind of like the WOOHOO THIS IS FUN type of flying. About an hour later I'm standing at the edge of my driveway and here comes Lily flying over the houses right towards me and as she goes over me she made a squawk noise that I really think meant LOOK AT ME!!! As of right now that is the last I've seen her. I would imagine right now she is sitting in a tree somewhere to stay out of the heat. So I'll be casing the neighborhood again once it starts to cool down.

So far we have notified just about everyone in the neighborhood, animal control, ASPCA, all bird stores with in the Sacramento area, etc. I've got both of her cages in the yard and I know that Lily knows where her house is.

For thoughts that have lost a beloved bird, how the hell do you deal with it, knowing that it could have been prevented. What chances do I have of her coming back or even being found?

Did you post anything on Craiglist about your bird? They have a Lost/Found section that gets a lot of traffic. I am so sorry to read about this....you should try to get a group of people to spread out and look for her so you can cover a bigger area. The fliers are a good idea and it sounds like you are doing all the right things so try not to beat yourself up about it and focus on getting your bird home! Please post updates!!

Yep, craigslist got it to.

I am so sorry to hear this and really really hurt as well. I lost my conure august 6th pretty much same senario. I really really hope you find her. My prayers are with you.

I cannot stress enough how important those wing clips are. My conure had gone outside with us pretty much everyday and spent hours on the front porch with us. We had never thought he would fly away. I learned my lesson that birds are birds and when something scares them they fly away naturally. I can understand what you are going through. Greyson are much much smarter so I really hope lily finds her way in your yard.

Keep her cage outside with some food..that might help

Again your family as well as lily will be in our prayers.

Chrisi

Oh, I do hope you find her. Could you maybe put her cage outside...if she's flying over, and sees the cage, she may decide to eat or drink.

Can you get some audio of African Grey calls and play it outside. This might attract your birds attention.

I second Sharon's recommendation. Leave her cage outside, open, with food and fresh water.