LOST Grey please help

[momo26]

Hi there, my Grey had gotten away from me Monday morning. She is only 4 months old. I put up flyers, posted online etc, got a call. Went out there she was gone by that time. But yesterday I had found and tracked her for about 7 hours. She WOULD NOT come down from the trees. I did everything..food in hand, food in dish, food in plate (and me stepped away). Cage is outside locked to a sign, I think the whole neighborhood knows of the situations - they have been GREAT so far btw. I went out this morning to the same open/treed park and she flew right away I think seeing me and into another tree....WHAT do you suggest?

It is absurdly frustrating seeing her, but her not wanting to come down. She responds to me but that's it. Fire Dep't Humane Society, no willing to come out and help me . Where she has been predominately is 5 minute walk from home.

Perhaps she will just come home to my front porch (she has only spend maybe 3 - 4 evenings on it)

Please advise!!!

I also posted this in another forum for maximum hits

[momo26]

-Trees are near impossible to climb, plus she is usually about 30 - 50 feet high at any given perch

[Michael]

Go to homedepot and buy a 40ft ladder. Or try borrowing/renting one from a company that works with roofs. You can't expect a fledgling like that with no flight experience to just fly down to you or cage! It barely knows you or cage and is scared out of its mind.

[momo26]

Great news! Just as I had posted that, I went back out..saw her - called her and she came to a nearby smaller tree, then I called her down and she flew to my shoulder. She is home now. Thank you everyone for the support!

I thought that too but boy was I wrong - she was working the trees like a flying veteran.

[marie83]

Glad you have a happy ending.

You never said how she got out but if you need any suggestions to keep it from happening again we may be able to help you.

[Michael]

Please do not run and clip the wings now. That's what everyone does when this happens but it's not the bird's fault and not the solution. Look into reliable ways of preventing this by making changes in your home. Thanks.

[momo26]

Yep, I still don't think clipping is the best route...it's a route though. A harness with long tether may work for some flight.

[marie83]

Yep, I still don't think clipping is the best route...it's a route though. A harness with long tether may work for some flight.

Aviator harnesses are good, you can buy elasticated flight lines for them which are lightweight and dont jerk the bird to a halt so they fall. They are fairly expensive but are deemed to be the safest available at this time.

[Mona]

We had a fly group going for about 8 years. Your experience is common with greys.

They tend to fly up and just hang out. I think they enjoy just sitting up high. To them, it isn't stressful - it's natural.

Congratulations because you have come a long, long way with your Grey. I would keep working on recalls and flight training and just be careful. Even Kiri, who is an incredibly well socialized grey, flew up into the rafters of our fly building when I took her three or four times and just wouldn't come down. Of course, we were in a big building so I didn't lose her but high up, I was not getting any recall.

Here's a website of a friend of mine who freeflies her greys. I don't do it. I don't think I can do it because it takes starting with a young bird and it takes a lot of discipline ... and even after that, there is a lot of risk. I know a lot of free flighted birds that led to untimely deaths due to all kinds of things, even getting hit by cars...but I did see Raz freefly Carly on the beach in San Diego years ago and it was incredible.
http://likambo.com/

[momo26]

Thanks for the feedback

I may be following up shortly with new threads/questions