How to Help Find a Lost Pet Bird in the United States

How can I tell if a bird is a lost pet?

Most lost pet birds in the US are parrots and parrot relatives: budgies, cockatiels, lovebirds, conures, African grays, Amazons, cockatoos and macaws, plus canaries and finches. Signs a bird is someone's pet include:

• Bright colors or a shape you do not normally see in your area.
• Tame behavior: landing near people, on cars or on balconies, or talking and whistling.
• A ring (leg band) on one leg.
• Clumsy flying, or sitting still for long periods, which can mean a frightened or tired bird.

In some places, groups of parrots live wild, so a flock of the same parrots is likely not a lost pet. A lone, tame bird is a much better candidate.

What should I do if I see a lost pet bird?

1. Stay calm and do not chase it. A chased bird often flies farther away.
2. Note the exact spot, the time and the direction it flies if it moves. Take a photo or short video if you can.
3. If it stays put, put a shallow dish of water and some plain birdseed in an open spot nearby where you can watch.
4. Search PetzLover for lost bird ads near you and compare photos, colors and band details.
5. Call your local animal control and the nearest animal shelter, and tell local avian vet clinics; owners often call them first.
6. Tell neighbors and anyone working outdoors nearby, such as mail carriers or maintenance staff, so they can watch too.

Pet FBI, a US lost-pet nonprofit, notes that a lost bird is most likely within one-half to two miles of where it escaped, and that the first 48 hours are critical. Birds are often most vocal around sunrise and sunset, so listen at those times.

How do I safely catch a tame lost bird?

Only try to catch a bird that comes to you or is already low and calm. Never climb trees or roofs, and do not call a tree service, which can scare the bird away.

1. Move slowly and speak softly. Offer seed on your flat hand or on a stick held at the bird's chest height.
2. If it steps up, bring your other hand gently over its back or drape a light towel over it.
3. Place it in a pet carrier or a cardboard box with air holes, and close it securely.
4. Keep it in a warm, quiet, dim room away from pets and from any birds of your own, since birds can carry infections.
5. Offer water in a shallow dish and plain birdseed.
6. Wash your hands after handling it. The CDC notes that birds can carry psittacosis without looking sick.

Do not try to remove a leg band; note the letters and numbers instead.

Who should I contact when I find a lost pet bird?

Birds are microchipped in the breast muscle, not under the skin like dogs and cats, so ask a vet clinic to scan. VCA Animal Hospitals notes that a leg band is often a bird's only identification but is rarely linked to its owner, while a microchip is registered. If a chip number is found, the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup shows which registry holds it.

How do I make sure I return the bird to its real owner?

Keep one or two details back when you describe the bird publicly, such as the band number or a missing toe, so you can check anyone who calls. Then ask the person claiming it for:

• Photos or videos of them with this bird before it was lost.
• The band number, or a vet record showing a matching microchip.
• Words, whistles or habits the bird has, which you can check.
• Its usual food and how it steps up.

Hand the bird over in person, in a safe public place or at a vet clinic. Do not send it with a courier, and do not pay or accept payment demands from people you cannot verify. Message people through the site rather than giving out your phone number publicly.

What if no owner comes forward?

Report the bird to animal control and follow their guidance, because rules on how long to hold a found animal and who may keep it vary by city and state. Do not sell the bird or give it away privately while the owner may still be looking.

If the bird does need a new home in the end, a bird rescue can help. Our guides to adopting a pet bird and taking in a rehomed pet bird explain how rescues work and what a new bird needs. If you are holding a bird you found, you can also post a found-bird ad for free so its owner can find you. If your own bird is missing, read what to do when your pet bird is lost.