How do you catch a parakeet coming to our outside wild bird feeders?

Question

Parakeet flys away as soon as I walk outside. I know he will not survive the winter.

Answer 1

Maybe set a cage outside with special food just for parakeets that will attract him.

Answer 2

If he's smart enough to come to an outside feeder, and fly away when you approach, you probably shouldn't count him out for surviving the winter. He'll have a natural instinct to go south when the weather starts getting cold.

If you put a trap out, more than likely you'll wind up with anything OTHER than the parakeet inside. The only treats I can think of that would really attract a parakeet would be millet, and all birds love that.

Answer 3

If you could get ahold of a cage-maybe a local SPCA will loan one out or any whatever rescue animal place you may have in your area. Or they may have other ideas to do this. Check in the Phone book for this. Besides contacting them also to let them know about this. Owners who may have lost theirs might have called them to report theirs escaping and to ask them if someone has had a sighting or turned one in.

If a Cage can be used and to put even some of the same bird food that they are eating in the cage near as possible to the feeder and even better if the bird feeder can be put in the cage. Because then this would give you more time when sighting the bird again to go out and try to close the door of the cage when the birds in getting the food. Of course also the closer to the house or a place where you can remain hidden and act quicker before it see s you. If it later toward the evening-they are tired and slower in their reactions and can t see much in the dark. If you sight it there already and there is a light on-turning it off so they can t see you it might be easier to do this. Or when its not there but close by - They will be attracted to it if its lit up-they like light and then when you are going to make your move turn the light off. Under these conditions maybe then some kind of netting or fabric thrown over the bird feeder if its not to high could work to trap them. In general they are very quick-even inside if mine do not want to be caught - I can t catch them.

The owners would be so pleased if they could get it back. And if the owners can t be contacted you still would be saving a bird from dying - if it is a parakeet or budgie it won t be able to survive for long too much below 55 or so. It having access to food is helping giving it a chance if it can be caught.

Mine escaped and we were so close to catching it - Between bad timing because of time of night (they cannot see well when getting dark) and bad weather etc.......

You don t happen to live in Quebec, Canada do you. Mine is a Yellow parakeet-budgie - that escaped a few weeks ago. I keep on hoping of such Miracles.

Thank you for going out of your way and being concerned!

P.s. Please do not Spray it with water - even if it is somewhat warm where you are right now - with wind and the wetness it could put its survival at risk. Being outdoors is lowering its resistant as it is. And if with putting seed on the ground to attract it - it could expose it to injury from Cats and such-unless you pickup every last seed when you are gone. The Cage idea to lure with food and further away from the door to have more time to close it is a great Idea!

Answer 4

Ok then you sit outside until it comes back and make it learn to trust your presents outside. You can also try to spray it with a water hose that would make it too wet to fly away but wait until it gets used to you being outside about 3 or 4 weeks. These birds are very smart and if it thinks for one minute only one time is all it takes, that you have betryed its trust it will leave and never come back.Make sure the food it comes for is down on the ground too. Leave the feeder go empty and throw the food on the ground as you sit outside. Maybe even put a water bowl out for it. You could also try replacing the feeder with a tiny little 2 story hampster cage and leave the food and water inside of it on the bottum story with the top story door open for easy entry. Once the bird is inside and goes down stairs to eat and drink go close the door on the top story locking it in. It wont have time to go back upstairs to the open door. Or the way I have caught one before is sit your own birds outside, once the parakeet comes to visit your birds, get some millet spray seed and offer it from the oppasite side from where you are standing making the birds look away from you as it tries eating the seed, then you can take it in your hand real fast but gently and expect to get bitten while you rush it to the cage it will stay in. I did that and caught a tie die colored female in the spring shes adorable too. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 5

you definatly SHOULD NOT catch a bird if it is a wild bird, but if it is a once tame bird that once escaped- u should talk to an animal expert.

Answer 6

Don't even bother - you will get so disappointed from him taking chunks of flesh out of you everytime you put your finger near him you'll get pissed off.