Sunday, March 20, 2011

My budgie has escaped! What now?

Open the window
To lift into a dream
Baby, baby
You can barely breathe

- from R.E.M. "Parakeet"

Image © Recurrence on Flickr

It often goes like this: you are not paying attention for a few minutes, while your budgie finds a way outside and all you can do is watch it fly away.

Precautions that most people forgot to take

If you know that your budgie may be able to open its cage by itself, because some of the bars are in a bad shape, you have to buy a new cage. Secure the windows with mosquito nets and close all doors. Budgies are extremely acrobatic and can escape through small openings. Tell your children never to let the budgies out of the cage without your assistance. Remember yourself never to go outside when you're carrying a budgie on your shoulder!

Scared to death

If your budgie has escaped out of fear, the chances of getting it back are not very big. Scared birds don't think about landing in any nearby tree, but fly on and on without any orientation until they are exhausted. At that point, they are at the mercy of anyone who finds them, because they won't find the way back home. Some budgies die because they have nothing to eat, or they get killed by a car or a cat... there are too many dangers to sum up here.
 
If you are lucky, you will get your bird back. Keep an eye on the local papers, listen to the radio, look for signs outside, contact the vets in the area where you live. Another good idea is to check internet! Quite a few lost budgies end up exhausted in the garden of someone who may not even live so far away from you. That is how we got our first budgie: a dark blue bird landed in my grandma's garden, at the end of his power. The budgie didn't even struggle when she picked it up. We have taken good care of him, and he even started a family at our place. Nobody ever came to ask after him.

Within eyesight

Image ©Mark MacLaughlin on Flickr
If you are even more lucky, you will see that your budgie landed somewhere within eyesight.
Then you have to do this: keep all the windows open and place the cage on the window sill, or the garden table, just pick a place that is easy to spot for the budgie. It's also a good idea to stay near to the budgie, and don't panick. It's better that your budgie becomes curious about his new surroundings instead of scared. If you are in the picture, your bird might be extra reassured that everything is ok.

DON'T wave your arms or scream at your budgie. The smallest tension could cause him to take off again. There is not much you can do at this point. Just stay calm and try to lure him back to you with soft words, or food.

When your budgie comes back to you, you can approach him carefully. Stretch out your hand, offer him a millet spray. Once he sits on your hand, it's easy to carry him back into the cage, inside his safe home.

78 comments:

  1. Very useful indeed. And I like the story of your first budgie. What was his name again?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My budgies were mating continuously and all of a sudden male budgie flew off through the open front door. I kept his female mate which is ready to lajy eggs in front of him outside where he sat. He waited for a few seconds and instead of coming down to cage toof off in the clear sky. My female budgies is whole day calling him. What shall i do? She is totally alone in cage and will lay an egg soon. Please guide me

      Delete
    2. Same Case With Mine... Mine Male Guy Flew Of The Day Of Mating

      Delete
  2. Donk ("Donker" means dark in our language :)
    I hope this will never happen. Budgies are not made for city life in Europe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi,
      I had two budgies. One of them flew away yesterday morning. Both the birds are very young. I have never seen them fly properly. I think that the one who flew away, would not be able to cover much distance . But I searched him everywhere I could and found no clue. Can you suggest me any way to find him . I live in a place where there are only highrise buildings. I am afraid he would be killed by a cat or a dog.

      Delete
    2. Hi,
      I had two budgies. One of them flew away yesterday morning. Both the birds are very young. I have never seen them fly properly. I think that the one who flew away, would not be able to cover much distance . But I searched him everywhere I could and found no clue. Can you suggest me any way to find him . I live in a place where there are only highrise buildings. I am afraid he would be killed by a cat or a dog.

      Delete
    3. Help my blue budgie escaped right now he is sitting in a tree not to far away from our house

      Delete
    4. omg SAME! my blue budgie escaped but flew to a nearby tree. i went inside to tell my parents and when we went back out he wasnt there. he also has cagemates and im sad that they lost their friend :( what happened to your budgie?

      Delete
    5. Check Craigslist, police stations, and websites...google lost bird/pet . I saw a few blue buddies that had been found on a site. Good luck to you

      Delete
    6. My green budgie escaped on 3.7.18 into nearby field. we live in hounslow.feeling very sad

      Delete
    7. my budgie has flew away from her cage how do i get her back may i ask?

      Delete
    8. Try to keep food out and keep the cage open also try to go for walks with food and call her\him when walking

      Delete
  3. my budgie keeps escaping in the house and i think its turn into a habit, what should i do??

    ReplyDelete
  4. We had three budgies the large male was the clearly in charge, he used to always be with the female and the other male who is a runner just came out of the cage and doesn't do much. The male and female used to come out and fly around and back to the cage

    unfortunatley when they were outside the feed fell off and I presume it spooked the male and he escaped out of the tiny hole, he must have been quick! It has been 3 days now and no sign of him. I fear the worst i am afraid.

    The sad part is that the remaining two now are so quiet the female i would swear is grieving, she sleeps a lot and does not come out of the cage anymore. It is sad to see, I don't want to get another one, but i do feel that she is left with the male who can not fly and her life has changed. Does anyone know how long thet feel like this, she is sad, no songs, just the odd chirp that they used to use when lost in the house
    They used to make so much noise outside and that is what they need to do now if he stands a chance of coming back (i know it is remote) but they are almost silent!! It's terrible, if he is still alive he will never know where to go , i think, anyway i live in hope, feel very sorry for all of them

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, sorry to hear that one of your birds has escaped! It's true that budgies can grieve over the loss of a flock member. At least the female isn't all alone (which is good) but she will be lost and confused for a while, hoping for the male to return. Just make sure not to let her come to the point where she is so overcome with sadness that she stays quiet in a corner all day. Then I would try to get a couple of more budgies, to cheer her up. You can't bring the male back, but it will help her be happy again. Hope this helps, I know it can be very hard to deal with this problem.

      Delete
    2. My budgies escaped and I don't no how , one evening I went to check them and the cage door was open ...I'm so sad help me find the plz plz lz

      Delete
    3. My budgies escaped and I don't no how , one evening I went to check them and the cage door was open ...I'm so sad help me find the plz plz lz

      Delete
    4. Our budgie escaped as we were cleaning the cage outside, and our other budgie looks very lonely

      Delete
  5. Help! We live in Atlanta, Georgia and feed the wild birds on our yard. For the last 3 days we have had a beautiful ice blue budgie at our feeder. I put out fresh corn and some grapes in addition to the millet that is in the feeder, but what now? We do not know whether this bird has been 'wild' for long but he does not seem very fearful. We posted his picture on some local boards but have no idea how far he may have come from.
    Should we try to catch him? I am so afraid for his/her safety! Any ideas? I have never owned a budgie, and no offense intended, think we should support wild things in their natural habitat rather than bringing them inside, but worry that this little guy may not survive if he has always been captive.
    thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  6. mine just got out and its to dark to look for him and i think the weather is about to get really bad so im not happy at all :(

    ReplyDelete
  7. I managed to get the one I was petsitting for 6 weeks back. He flew up into this enormous tree in our backyard (I was cocky and thought he wouldn't fly when I set something outside quick, since he was constantly on me). I called and called to him, and made kissing noises because he loves to kiss. I could see him for a while way up in the tree but then nothing for a few minutes. I walked into the front yard calling and kissing and then heard him again - he was still in our big tree! I went back and kept calling and making kissing noises and I saw him began to descend from branch to branch. The moment he was about to land on my head I told my son to hold the door open and then I ducked inside with him on my head. HUGE sigh of relief, but actually, it was kind of a life-affirming experience! Just saw him yesterday at his owner's house, and he came out of his cage to give more kisses! xoxoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  8. I let my two parakeet out this afternoon to fly around the house I opened that back door the quick to get something and the dog ran in the house so I try to grab her before she got to the birds and they started fly every where and one flew out i dont know what to do the other birds so sad i only had them for a month if i cant find him or he dosent co.e back should i get another bird for her its so cold outside I feel so bad

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. my budgie escaped yesterday and yesterday night it was so cold i feel bad for her....

      Delete
  9. you should take your dog in a room get the cage outside and wait for it to come back make sure the food and waters there it will be hungry and come back

    ReplyDelete
  10. thank you for your helpful advice! i lost my bird 2 days ago and i dont know where she is i just want to bring her back home. i miss my baby girl :(

    ReplyDelete
  11. My budgie flew away from nibbling the plastic in his cage food things and flew away. I heard him tweeting and saw him on a roof. I saw him but was greatful and was crying so I shouted twitter! (his name) and he flew away! [Edgemead] {Turqoise bird with black wings. Only had him for 2 weeks}

    ReplyDelete
  12. I lost my budgie yesterday he has a blue belly and is speckled blue vlack and whie if u see pls call 954 494 8440 so sad.

    ReplyDelete
  13. My two love birds just escapped yesterday :( one of them came back but when i tried to catch him he escaped again :'(

    ReplyDelete
  14. My two love birds just escapped yesterday :( one of them came back but when i tried to catch him he escaped again :'(

    ReplyDelete
  15. I lost my violet budgie today. I live in a very busy area. She flew out because the cage door wasn't closed properly. My sister said that she saw a little violet/blue bird flying towards the supermarket. Do I have a chance of getting my budgie back? This is bad enough because the day before yesterday my favorite budgie died.

    ReplyDelete
  16. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  17. My Budgie Flew Away Yesterday Evening When It Was Raining A Bit...It Has 6 More partners In A Cage...But She Flew Yesterday .. she Flew on and on...I dont Know where she landed...but i really want her back ...she z nt even 4 mnths old...i scared bout her where she z...I live in delhi...how can i call her back?

    ReplyDelete
  18. I lost my budgie a week ago now :( she was my baby girl polly only had her 6 months she wasn't very tame and I looked everywhere rang vets and asked neighbours, to fill the whole in my heart I bought another one a boy named sky he's only 12 weeks old very tame and my baby I will always remember polly but getting another one has definitely helped me, I just don't want to think about how she died :((( x

    ReplyDelete
  19. I lost my budgie a week ago now :( she was my baby girl polly only had her 6 months she wasn't very tame and I looked everywhere rang vets and asked neighbours, to fill the whole in my heart I bought another one a boy named sky he's only 12 weeks old very tame and my baby I will always remember polly but getting another one has definitely helped me, I just don't want to think about how she died :((( x

    ReplyDelete
  20. I lost my budgie a week ago now :( she was my baby girl polly only had her 6 months she wasn't very tame and I looked everywhere rang vets and asked neighbours, to fill the whole in my heart I bought another one a boy named sky he's only 12 weeks old very tame and my baby I will always remember polly but getting another one has definitely helped me, I just don't want to think about how she died :((( x

    ReplyDelete
  21. I lost a yellow budgie about 3 years ago her name was bannana laffytaffy lost her when I was gonna give to cousin when my dad opened the car door in snowstorm to get gas she flew like crazy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I lost my yellow budgie two days ago and all I have been doing is crying, I set his cage and cage mates outside, taking them in when it got darker, but leaving the cage open and plenty of food, I'm so scared I don't know where he is and I'm really scared

      Delete
    2. My bird also flew away we put out food and an open cage for her to return i just hope she is not dead also she flew away yesterday so the winds were strong. 😭😭😭🐦🐦🐦

      Delete
  22. My budgie got out into our garden for an hour he seems ok but he flus into stuff that he never did

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, just so y'all know I had them for about a year and it was her second time escaping. Yeah, they are pretty smart birds so keep an eye on them

      Delete
    2. Must be sad for all of you guys huh? well my bird also left yesterday... i feel sorry for all of you guy's birds...

      Delete
  23. My budgies escaped yesterday from there cage. I noticed the cage door opened and stared freaking out. Oh, no,no,no!! I found the male budgie on top of one of the cages. As soon as I reach to grab him he flew ito the yard. I ran to catch him but flew back on to the cage which he was at before. I then attempted to catch him again but he flew up and over the roof. I was devastated! I then tried to look for the female because she couldn't of had flown away her wings had been clipped. Searching and searching around the yard was usless since it had trees and plants everywhere. I sat outside explaining to my husband what had happened he told me,"well they are gone now." We sat outside talking for an hour and just when I had started to accept the idea that they where gone the male budgie appears nearby in a tree. He heard the chirping of my other birds on the porch fyi I had 10 other budgies in two separate cages on my porch. He then flys back on to their cage and I get close enough to catch him with my husbands t-shirt. I missed the first attempt but caught him the second time. I was ecstatic!!! The only thing missing now was my female budgie. The sun started to set and I lost hope all night I thought about if she was ok. Early the next morning which was today after I walked my kids to the bus stopped I remembered about my budgie since it had been raining all night and morning. As the rain went away and the sun came out I opened the door and my birds began to chirp from inside my house. I then heard a chirp in the distance and knew maybe it was just my birds from inside. So I the proceed to take them outside and the continue to chirp and sing as they always do. I sit outside and then agin I hear a chirp in the distance to my right. I knew it she was still in my yard. I walked around looking for blue in all the plants around and then boom I see her just sitting near by a plant. I go up to her very slowly and call her name I then extend my finger slowly and talk to her saying " jazzy I found you." She didnt hesitate and held her in my hand and put her in the cage with her partner. The male budgie was ao happy to see her as was I. Kissing and cleaning her feathers they where reunited once again. What helped me in getting my budgies back was this: they where familar with me, they heard other budgies they where familar with, they where mating and had an egg in there cage and last I was calm when retrieving them. So if this helps anyone.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My budgies were mating continuously and all of a sudden male budgie flew off through the open front door. I kept his female mate which is ready to lajy eggs in front of him outside where he sat. He waited for a few seconds and instead of coming down to cage toof off in the clear sky. My female budgies is whole day calling him. What shall i do? She is totally alone in cage and will lay an egg soon. Please guide me

      Delete
    2. it helps me a lot because my bird also escape and now i don't feel alone

      Delete
  24. I was playing with my budgie inside of his cage as I stick my hand at the door of the cage, he jumped up and got out of his cage while I was paying less attention. I tried to grab him but he flew like crazy. Would he even survive out therE? Where would he land? His name was mangO. If he survives out there then it's fine for me, he has got his freedoM.

    ReplyDelete
  25. My female budgie escaped today what should I do for my male. Can a new company help him

    ReplyDelete
  26. My female budgie escaped today what should I do for my male. Can a new company help him

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same but worst I live near a forest so my female was there so I put my male somewhere extra safe and he was out of his cage I took the cage grabbed some millet and hurried my dad and friend helped and she flew infront of me so I knew exactly where she flew and when which is good I kept calling her if that works I also used bird noises also can work then I saw her and took small time to get her but I did so yeah hope some ideas I tried work hope you find your budgie

      Delete
  27. i have two budgies both laid eggs and hatched chicks. female budgy flew away now chicks are alone with male budgy. chicks are only 2 weeks old . will male budgy take care of chicks or will they die

    ReplyDelete
  28. help me as chicks are very young and they need mothers care so what to do ...

    ReplyDelete
  29. My male budgie named kiwi slipped out from his travelling cage on Sunday cos the cage bar was broken. I was in the bus and I went to ask the bus driver about taking another bus to somewhere. Next thing I saw kiwi flying around in the bus and then exited! I had him for two years and I was calling his name but just flew away. The saddest day of my life. He was like a son to me. 😞😪

    ReplyDelete
  30. I can't stop crying, my hand,tamed budgie, my best Friend ,he could even speak few words has escaped :( I dunno where to look for him and I feel guilty as I feel im not trying hard enough .... this is the worst feeling ... I hope he be ok ....

    ReplyDelete
  31. Yesterday i was trying to talk to my four budgies. Unfortunately cage fell and my red eyed white budgie flew high and vanished from eye sight. We are waiting he isn't back still

    ReplyDelete
  32. i lost my male budgie last month he escaped from cage door
    i searched him everywhere but all in vain i put my cage female in balcony in hope that he would return but unfortunately he did not return after a week i went to the breeder who was just 5 min far from my place and looking for a budgie and i was surprised that my male budgie snowy was there i can't explain my happiness breeder return it to me and again my budgie family was reunited
    now they raise for adorable red eye budgie
    my female albino red eye budgie and male is red eye with white body and some grey feathers on it
    they are beautiful

    ReplyDelete
  33. Do you think budgies can return home

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. i dont think so unless there trained. like my budgie flew away a few months ago and i still miss him he never came back.

      Delete
    2. yes,maybe try to put food out and keep a cage open that way the bird can enter but keep the lid near you

      Delete
    3. My bird also flew away yesterday im trying the way of putting food and keeping the cage open

      Delete
  34. yep,my budgie goes out everyday and comes back at dusk

    ReplyDelete
  35. My budgie is untamed. And I don't know where she is!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I lost my budgie 2 weeks ago I still can't find him what should I do his partner still looking for him

    ReplyDelete
  37. I lost my budgie 2 weeks ago I still can't find him what should I do his partner still looking for him

    ReplyDelete
  38. i am feeling guilty for my budgies partner still trying to call her back i am feeling so low right now i am still crying my eyes uot

    ReplyDelete
  39. My budgie was upstairs sitting his mirror, when I called him there was no answer so I thought he was just to interested in the mirror, but when u went up to get him later that night he was nowhere to be seen, he has now been missing for 17 days and nearly 18 nights and I've not seen, heard or had any news from social media, I put a post on Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, on Facebook there was lots of other budgies found but not mine, his name is pico he is green and yellow and is in South Ayrshire, Scotland, do you have any advice, I miss him so much. I don't know which way he flew away either or how long he was gone before I noticed, please help.

    ReplyDelete
  40. My budgie flew away 1 month ago he never came back.. I still cry to this day.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I miss him so much his chances of being alive is so low

    ReplyDelete
  42. same my bird lew away and the wind was strong and also they were extremly hungry when she flew away

    ReplyDelete
  43. Feel gutted!!!
    I lost my budgie today...
    She flew out of the front door when my daughter let herself in and despite my efforts of playing budgie sounds from my phone and the usual whistles that I do everyday she still hasn't come home...
    And it's a cold night.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Indeed true that they can escape from very small opening. My pet bird budgies ran away that way when they were untamed but luckily I could able to get them back with help of my friends.

    ReplyDelete
  45. One of the budgies flew away a week ago, how to take care of the other one(most probably it's a female) how to ensure it doesn't feel lonely and is entertained. I thought of buying it's new mate but what if they don't like each other and the new budgie hurts my budgie or vice versa. Please suggest what to do?

    ReplyDelete
  46. Today I was feeding my male budgie coriander. And since the cage was open it flew away from the balcony as I saw the female budgie in the cage I noticed it laid 3 eggs what do I do
    The male budgie is out of my vision. Please help

    ReplyDelete