Found a parrot on the street, what do I do with it?

[flytrap]

Hi all, I have found a parrot that was about to be eaten by cats. The parrot does not seem to be afraid of anybody (humans or cats), but when I try to touch it, it bites my fingers. When I carried it home, it almost teared my hand apart. I put it near an open window (in case it wants to go back to the cats) and it just sits still - probably used to a cage.

Now I'm trying to feed it something, but without much success. I have tried bread, sunflower seeds (peeled and not salty) and a pear. It did take a bite from the bread, but it looked more like it's attacking the bread, rather then eating.

I have no experience in taking care of animals and in general I'm against the idea of keeping them at home, but I guess I'll have to make an exception here. Any suggestions on what to do with the parrot would be very much appreciated.

This is what the parrot looks like:

[Michael]

That is a Cockatiel. Looks to be in pretty bad shape. If you could get it to a vet, that would be best (particularly an avian vet). Bread and sunflower seeds are a good idea for the short term. Printing the pictures you posted here and posting them around the neighborhood with a Found sign and your info is a good idea in case the owner can be located. Be sure to give it water too. It may not be eating cause it is thirsty. Put some water in a dish and offer it.

If you don't have a cage or animal carrier to use to house it overnight, you can get a cardboard box and punch some holes in it and keep the bird in there till the morning. If you can't find the owner or get it to a vet within 48 hours, you will need to consider if you will keep it or find someone else with parrot experience to take care of it. By then, you'll need to spend about $50-$150 in supplies (cage, perches, toys, food, etc) if you expect to be keeping it.

You can try soaking balls of bread in warm water and offering them. It may remind the bird of weening biscuits they use for Cockatiels. It may be scared to eat from your hand so just put the foods down on a flat surface in front of the bird.

[flytrap]

Thanks for the quick reply!

Regarding finding its owners, I can print ads, but anyone who wants to make some money could present himself as the owner... But I guess it's worth a try?

Offering the parrot water is the first thing I did - it's pretty damn hot outside. The parrot took a small sip, but afterwards it started biting the edges of the dish instead of drinking. And yes, I guess I'll have to take it to a vet...

Edit:
I tried to feed it wet bread, and it 'attacked' it In contrast to what you say, if I put food on a plastic lid , the parrot simply ignores it. When I demonstrate with my teeth that this stuff should be eaten, the parrot bites the plastic. Go figure.

[Michael]

That's believable. It depends on how scared it is vs. being a smarty. Check the leg for a band. If it has one, record it and don't tell anyone. If someone presents themselves as the owner, have them tell you what they think the band number is. If no band, oh well, do your best. Those birds sell for $50-$130 as babies so there's not all that much money to be made on it so hopefully someone wouldn't do that. If the bird doesn't have a band but is super friendly and doesn't bite the owner, that's another way of knowing (but not always, some people keep birds without ever getting too close so it's not absolute proof).

If you are 100% certain you don't want to keep it, then you may want to find another parrot owner or vet in your area and turn it over to them to figure out what to do. If the owner cannot be found and you decide you do want to keep it, come back here for advice on stuff to buy/do.

I know a lady who had a Cockatiel fly in her window unexpectedly, kept it, and became close friends.

[liz]

Give it a space to call it's own. Even the top of a table covered with newspaper. Give it a bowl of water that will not tip over and some food (whatever you have). Give it a box laying on it's side or create a corner to hide in until it trust you. Call newspapers. Found adds are free. Do not give a description of the tiel. Just say found pet bird so you can screan and find the riteful owner instead of someone who wants a free bird.

You already know to pick it up on a clotheshanger so you already know more than I did with my first bird.

Food is cereal, fruit, vegi, bread, scrabbled egg and etc.

Keep us up to date. Good luck.

[flytrap]

I will try to find the owner tomorrow - I have no printer here, so I'll have to print some ads at work. The parrot doesn't seem to have anything attached to its legs, but I can put ads without a picture and ask the caller to describe the bird.

My main concern right now is to make it eat something. I think it is sleeping right now - it's sitting still on the window as displayed in the last photo (I turned the lights off). But what about tomorrow? I have work to attend to. On Friday and Saturday I will be completely away. The bird needs to eat... I don't even know when I'm going to take it to a vet, I guess I'll have to do it tomorrow after work - hopefully they still work at these hours.

[liz]

I will try to find the owner tomorrow - I have no printer here, so I'll have to print some ads at work. The parrot doesn't seem to have anything attached to its legs, but I can put ads without a picture and ask the caller to describe the bird.

My main concern right now is to make it eat something. I think it is sleeping right now - it's sitting still on the window as displayed in the last photo (I turned the lights off). But what about tomorrow? I have work to attend to. On Friday and Saturday I will be completely away. The bird needs to eat... I don't even know when I'm going to take it to a vet, I guess I'll have to do it tomorrow after work - hopefully they still work at these hours.

The little guy looks perky and has attitude. Refer back to my last posting for temporary care. You don't need flyers. We just went through this with a boxer that showed up on our porch. Just call the newspapers with your found add. They will run it for a week for free. (the boxer was here for 48 hours)

Keep in mind that he has been tramatized and now safe but in a place he doesn't know. If he has a place of his own with plenty of food maybe even a big twig to perch on he will be fine. He will stay in that area until he feels secure with you.

[liz]

By the way - he is a parrot - just a little one.

[flytrap]

By the way - he is a parrot - just a little one.

I'm not sure what you mean by this - a young male?

[liz]

No - I mean it is a cockatiel which is a small species of parrot. I do not know if it is a male. The only way I have ever been able to tell is by sound. My males sing with beautiful voices. They also have the ability to talk. My females chirp and have a sweet little tweeter that they use to communicate with me.

You saved a little being capable of cummunication. Not all of mine talk but I can understand by their sounds want they want.

Rambo Myrtle
Shadow
Lemone Twinkle
Tommy Tammy
tweetle Dee & Tweetle Dumb