Help! GCC Lost In Attic!

Hello All,

Tonight I came home from work to a perfect storm. I walked in the door and went to move my bird's cage away from the window so he would be better insulated against the cold. I realized then that he wasn't talking to me and I couldn't see him in his cage. I panicked, but found him clinging to the side of the blanket that covers the top of his cage. Apparently I accidentally left his cage door unlocked after feeding him his mash this morning and he got out while I was at work. Just as I was trying to coax him to step up, my heater kicked on and the dust was burning off (first really cold day in Texas this year), so it set off the smoke alarm. My husband came out of the bedroom and opened the attic hatch to see if something was on fire.

I wasn't even thinking. My Green Cheek, Baby, is fully flighted. He is shy, nervous, and has no recall skills to speak of. Well, he took off and flew into the attic. And now I can't find him. Normally if I call him, he answers. But the last time he freaked out and flew away from me, he hid. I called and called and he wouldn't answer. That was just in my living room/kitchen area.

Now he's in a dark attic full of old insulation and nooks and crannies I can't reach. He won't talk to me or make any noise.

Has anyone ever had a similar experience? Can you offer me some advice? My attic is so cold. I have been crying and calling him and freaking out for hours now. And there's no telling when he got out of his cage or if he ate/drank enough today. My husband's friend even came over and walked every crevice he could reach in our attic. I was hoping Baby would spook and fly or at least cry out. He didn't.

I also can't move his cage into the attic, because it's a double flight cage and won't fit. I heard that might help.

Please, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome to the Forums, although I am very sorry for your delicate and distressing circumstances!

I'm sorry I don't have any particular advice for your situation. If it was me however, I would be setting myself up for a stay in the attic for as long as it takes, with the lights kept on, and armed with all of Baby's very favourite treats. You could probably have a book or magazine to read out loud so that he might be attracted to the sound of your voice, and perhaps if you have a recording of him on your phone, you could play that to perhaps encourage him to come out of hiding, or make a sound at the very least so you can find him!

I hope some of our other members have some better ideas for you and will be weighing in to help you soon. I wish you all the very best of luck finding your Baby!

That sounds like good advice. I would bring her food and water bowls up, filled of course, and weigh the food bowl before you bring it up. THat way, if she does eat something, you will know. I hope your attic is not open to the outside, most aren't but I am not sure what the practice is in Texas. Good Luck!

is there a light in there? She may go towards the light around the time she would normally wake up. If you have a teflon free/ptfe/pfc/pfoa free space heater, that could be good too..as long as you don't create a fire hazard

You could try playing a clip of conures talking and see if he responds to that...

Do a grid search, start removing stuff from the attic.
Be calm happy cheerful they pick up on your emotions.

Get a small cheap wire cage and attach perch and his toys on the outside, with food and water dishes. In the hopes of this familiar stuff will draw him near.

Run extension cords up there and get some lights ( not blind you light but good light)

Also splash the water around with your hand, tge splashing water sound will help draw him towards the water . Birds are naturally attracted to the sound of running water.

If he is only bonded to you, then you only sit up there sbd talk to him.

Good luck, get that baby back safe and sound

Welcome, sorry your first post is under difficult and worrying circumstances. Excellent advice from all, I'd certainly provide light, food, and water and spend as much time as possible. At some point Baby will become hungry and curious, perhaps call out to assist rescue.

Hoping you are swiftly reunited, please keep us updated!

UPDATE: I left the hatch to the attic open over night with food and water and little LED lights near the entrance. I got up early and found Baby sitting on a rafter above the opening. After accidentally spooking him a few times, I finally got him to land near me. I cupped my hand and he leaned into it and let me pick him up. I got him back in his cage and he immediately started eating. He seems okay, but I'm going to take a trip to the vet just to be sure. He's warm now but still fluffed up, and I don't know what old insulation might have done to his eyes and lungs.

Thank you so much to everyone for all of the advice! I couldn't have done it without y'all. Thank you!!

Fantastic news, thank you so much for the update

Wishing you all the very best for his vet exam, I think you are very wise indeed to do that. Hope Baby is none the worse for his little misadventure

So happy to hear Baby has returned! Excellent idea for a checkup, hope all remains well. How old is your home, any idea the type of insulation? Much older homes used asbestos, though I'd hope most have been detoxed and improved.

BakedBeeBird said:

UPDATE: I left the hatch to the attic open over night with food and water and little LED lights near the entrance. I got up early and found Baby sitting on a rafter above the opening. After accidentally spooking him a few times, I finally got him to land near me. I cupped my hand and he leaned into it and let me pick him up. I got him back in his cage and he immediately started eating. He seems okay, but I'm going to take a trip to the vet just to be sure. He's warm now but still fluffed up, and I don't know what old insulation might have done to his eyes and lungs.

Thank you so much to everyone for all of the advice! I couldn't have done it without y'all. Thank you!!

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you might ask your vet if he wants a sample of the insulation..SOOOO glad you got your baby back!!

Yes thats great news! Hope the vet visit goes well.

That’s awesome! Now stick around for a spell!

Scott said:

So happy to hear Baby has returned! Excellent idea for a checkup, hope all remains well. How old is your home, any idea the type of insulation? Much older homes used asbestos, though I'd hope most have been detoxed and improved.

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It was built in 1980, a few years after asbestos was banned in Texas. Hopefully that means they stopped using it when they built my house :15:

BakedBeeBird said:

Scott said:

So happy to hear Baby has returned! Excellent idea for a checkup, hope all remains well. How old is your home, any idea the type of insulation? Much older homes used asbestos, though I'd hope most have been detoxed and improved.

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It was built in 1980, a few years after asbestos was banned in Texas. Hopefully that means they stopped using it when they built my house :15:

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Hopefully so, might be good idea to check if you have any questions.

I think it's still fiberglass, isn't it? If the fibers get into human lungs, they can cause similar damage, so I would definitely get him checked.