Yesterday I was watching the birds at the feeders, and directly after the Cooper’s Hawk* left an Indian Ringneck parrot flew in and perched on one of the feeders. Our temperatures are really cooling off and this guy isn’t going to last long unless he gets inside. He came back a little while ago and ate from the suet block. He didn’t fly away as I opened the window and began talking with him.
Right now he is perched on the feeder again, he was in the plum tree. He is shy about coming to us, as I am looking at parrot forums maybe someone here will know how to help me lure him inside? It would be such a shame for him to needlessly die.
*btw, I discourage the hawks and falcons.
Where are you?
Check the Facebook groups in your immediate area for lost pets as well as Craigslist. It’s great that you know the kind of bird, that should help locate its owner.
Do you have a birdbath of some kind as well? Last month a FOAF in Michigan’s parrot got away for a day and half and was dehydrated when it was found.
They’re very social, have you tried playing videos of parrots loudly by the window?
Parrots are very food motivated. Parrots also like both fruits and nuts. Try tempting him with food. First place small pieces on something between you and him (he’s probably afraid you’ll grab him). If he goes for that, try luring him into the house with a trail of tidbits.
If he seems willing to approach you offer your arm and say “step up”, which is a common verbal command for parrots. If he gets on your arm move slowly and speak softly. Parrots tend to like high voices, so don’t be afraid to pitch yours up a bit. If he just stands there go back to the “breadcrumb line of lures” strategy.
No chocolate. No avocado. Especially no avocado, just a bite or two can be fatal. No guacamole (sorry to be redundant, but there have been Tragic Occurrences).
If you have ringneck calls playing inside your house it might be easier to lure him inside.
lol, Yesterday when I looked up and saw the Cooper’s Hawk perched on one of the shepherd’s crook looking things I hang my feeders from. I hollered at him and he took off. I looked down for a moment, and when I looked up there was this cute, green Indian Ringneck perched in the same place as the hawk had been! And that was drug free!
Try offering a cookie or something obviously edible at arm’s length - if it’s a hand-tame pet bird, it may fly to your hand or shoulder for a treat. Don’t try to grab it straight away, as you will just scare it off - earn its trust with the treat, and by talking to it soothingly.
You’re likely to need the use of two hands to actually catch it, unfortunately - one method that would probably work would be if you can get it to perch on your hand, then gently trap its toes with your thumb for long enough to get a hold on it properly.
As that’s not an option, and you can still get it on your shoulder, trying to walk slowly back in through a wide open door, whilst feeding and talking to it might work - closing the door before it flies back out could be a problem.
If you can still find it in the evening when it’s starting to get dark, it may be inclined to come indoors if it can see a well-lit room through the door.
Ringneck calls playing out the same window I am watching him from. Thanks for the warnings Broomstick, I used to have cockatiels, and frequently bird sat for a friend. (Moluccan Cockatoo and an African Congo Grey) so I know the basic what not to do’s. I am just not familiar with this breed.
Just a note that might reassure people here: Indian Ringneck parrots (formally, rose-ringed parakeets) are fairly hardy birds that can tolerate reasonably low temperatures. There is a large feral population across the Thames Valley and in London:
I’m not suggesting that you shouldn’t try to give him some shelter, especially if it’s an escaped cage bird, but I don’t think cooling temperatures are necessarily a cause for instant panic.
We have a pair that visit our urban balcony bird feeder here in London, and there is a resident flock that we see several times a week, throughout the year, including winter. They were a very unexpected first visitor to our feeder, but a very welcome one, as they remind me of being home in India.
Sorry for not updating sooner, I had surgery on Friday and haven’t been online until now.
I haven’t seen the bird today, but that doesn’t mean much. I still need to check the Nextdoor forum, hopefully he has either gone home or has otherwise been brought inside.
