Oro Takes Off!

Oro and Azul in their Desert Oasis Aviary

Oro and Azul lead the good life.  They are much loved and go from their home in the Bay Area to their home in the high desert of California.  Sometimes I am lucky enough to get them here as guests.  Their desert home is way out "beyond the pavement" and very remote.  While there, they enjoy being outside during the day.  Of course, they are brought in every afternoon to the safety of the main house.  Yesterday, however, Oro got spooked by a bandaid on mom's hand and flew off. 

These macaws are like 747s and have a powerful ability to fly.  Imagine the panic that followed as Oro flew away and then (luckily) circled back towards the house.  She landed up a steep hill in the tip top of a huge tree.  Mom had read a wonderful article about What To Do If Your Bird Is Lost.  She had kept it on her iPhone, just in case. 

She utilized the suggestions in that article and kept her cool.  She trudged up to the top of the hill and sat under that big tree never taking her eyes off of Oro.  She spent the afternoon/evening frantically trying everything to get Oro back.  She was alone with no one to help. 

Macaws are treetop parrots.  Unlike Greys and Cockatoos who often walk on the ground to forage, macaws stay aloft or in the canopy.

The indoor cage was brought outside within eyesight and loads of nuts and bead toys and food and water were there to tempt her.  Azul, her bonded companion, called out to her.  But Oro contently preened and nibbled on the pine tree. 

Eventually, she became tired and hungry and decided to figure out how to climb down to mom.  Hours after flying away, she was safe.  Mom was sunburned and lost 5 lbs sweating up and down the steep hill.  But there was a happy ending. 

Oro and Azul will be getting their wings trimmed now.  There may even be a netted corridor created between that aviary and the house.  

If you like to read the article that was so helpful in this happy ending, here is the link to the article.  What to do if your Bird is Lost by Emily Heenan.  http://www.cafabirdclub.org/lost.htm