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Post by biteybird on Sept 9, 2016 23:04:52 GMT -5
A couple of months ago my parents-in-law moved from Tasmania to Victoria ("The Mainland" as they call it:)) and they brought their cockatiel, Billie, with them. Since arriving Billie was enjoying lots of out-of-cage time and seemed to becoming more trusting of human hands (she was adopted by my parents-in-law from another elderly couple who couldn't keep her).
Well....one of their new neighbours (who has a touch of dementia) came to visit unannounced and she opened the front door, then just stood there in the open doorway. My mother-in-law was out the back hanging up washing & my father-in-law had just had an operation on 3 hernias and couldn't get up from his chair fast enough to do anything. Normally Billie doesn't go near the door, but on this occasion she swooped straight outside and hasn't been seen since.
I'd love to think that she'd survive in the wild, but sadly I don't think this would be the case. Here in Australia we have predatory birds like magpies and mynahs, who seem to dominate the other species.
How do cockatiels generally go in the wild? I guess it would be different here than in the US because of the different bird species.
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Post by Jan and Shah on Sept 10, 2016 1:04:57 GMT -5
I am sorry to hear this Biteybird. I have had a cockatiel get away from me and managed to locate him 3 houses away - he was being attacked by a currawong and kookaburra. He would not have survived. However, as Billie is tame, he may have been picked up by a human. Suggest they contact the local vets, any animal shelters and maybe put some flyers around. It is worth a try as, if someone has picked him up, they may be looking for his parronts. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
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Post by biteybird on Sept 10, 2016 4:48:10 GMT -5
Thanks Jan. They did put up some flyers in the Coalfields Caravan Park in Wonthaggi (where they now live in their permanent 2-BR unit) but I don't know if they've contacted the vet or animal shelter(s). I'll mention that to them. I think Billie would be very hard for a human to catch - at least she always was when it was time for her to go back in the cage at bedtime.
It's been over a week now...but fingers crossed.
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Post by aaron on Sept 10, 2016 14:23:18 GMT -5
Eeek... I hope they find little Billie. Scary stuff.
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Post by msdani1981 on Sept 11, 2016 0:28:27 GMT -5
Don't lose hope. Several years ago Zach and I reunited a Senegal parrot with her owner, after she had been missing for a month. :-)
I'm praying for a good outcome!
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Post by Jan and Shah on Sept 11, 2016 5:15:52 GMT -5
Years ago I had a cockatiel fly away. Got her back 2 weeks later after advertising in the local newspaper (she flew to the next suburb). Will keep my fingers and toes crossed that Billie comes back to them.
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Post by biteybird on Oct 10, 2016 3:56:55 GMT -5
Just wanted to let you all know that there's been no sign of Billie - one month on I think the odds of her having survived would be pretty slim. Thanks, though, everyone for the kind thoughts and comments.
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Post by aaron on Oct 10, 2016 16:33:43 GMT -5
Bummer. I hope Billie is okay, but I agree, it seems unlikely at this point  |
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Post by Jan and Shah on Oct 10, 2016 22:04:02 GMT -5
I am sorry to hear that. I hope someone has picked Billie up and kept her.
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Post by msdani1981 on Oct 12, 2016 1:02:57 GMT -5
I'm so sorry to hear this! Hopefully someone found Billie and is giving her a good home.
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Post by Hannah on Oct 20, 2016 13:27:11 GMT -5
Do you have a classifieds forum like Craig's list or kijji there?
I would post some pictures.
Here in Canada a budgie flew away in the middle of winter and survived by living with other birds and didn't get hurt by magpies, crows or ravens. They found shelter and food by following little birds, I'll try to find the article.
I'm not sure where you are in Australia but certain places have wild cockatiels and maybe Billie will find them or other birds to live with.
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Post by biteybird on Oct 23, 2016 0:09:34 GMT -5
Thanks Hannah. My parents-in-law live in Wonthaggi now (south of Melbourne about 180kms near the coast, only 17km from Phillip Island). To my knowledge they don't have any photos of Billie. However, I do hold some hope as they now have another cockatiel, Eric, who was found by the local pet shop owner (he landed on her head!) - so, if that's happened for Eric then it's possible Billie may have 'found' a new owner. I'd like to think that's possible.  |
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