Update: Maya the meandering macaw now back home

(Photo by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand, added 10:45 am)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 9:37 AM: No photo yet but, just added to the WSB Lost/Found Pets page, we’ve received multiple reports of a yellow/blue macaw or parrot turning up in a tree near Tilden School north of The Junction, 44th and Dakota, causing quite a stir at the school, too. Crows were harassing it, according to WSB tipster Meredith, so we don’t know how long it’ll hang around, but if you’re missing one – that’s where it’s been spotted.

10:45 AM: Just back from checking out the parrot situation. It had flown over to the First Lutheran Church of West Seattle roof by the time we arrived. From both a phone call and a comment, it appears the owner’s been found – and it appears to be Maya the macaw, who had an April escapade.

FRIDAY MORNING NOTE: Maya the macaw is now back home, per owner Hector’s comment.

Meredith June 6, 2013 (9:40 am)

He’s near the top. Doesn’t seem distressed. Chatting. We can see him from the parking lot.

Meredith June 6, 2013 (9:43 am)

Flew to church roof.

HelperMonkey June 6, 2013 (9:56 am)

probably just pining for the fjords.

Meredith June 6, 2013 (10:00 am)

Back to the tree on 44th.

Kelly June 6, 2013 (10:34 am)

PINING for the FJORDS?! He’s not pining! He’s passed on! This parrot is no more! He has ceased to be! He’s expired and gone to meet his maker! He’s a stiff! Bereft of life, he rests in peace! If you hadn’t nailed him to the perch he’d be pushing up the daisies! (etc. etc. etc.)

Hector June 6, 2013 (10:40 am)

Hi thanks I just find this I am the owner ill be there in no time, thanks for the concern ill get some treats

Noelle June 6, 2013 (10:52 am)

Hope the Parrot’s people are able to get him/her back safe and sound! It must have seen all this beautiful sunshine and wanted to get out and enjoy it!

Irukandji June 6, 2013 (10:53 am)

FTW Kelly and HM.

Hector! Your beautiful bird put on a great show for the kids this morning and looked to be having LOTS of fun. I hope you get him down easily. And thanks to Tilden and the church for offering ladders and communication support to get word out.

bedhead June 6, 2013 (11:43 am)

What a gorgeous bird!

Teri Ensley June 6, 2013 (12:03 pm)

If you have trouble getting him to come to you contact Sarvey Wildlife Center. They have been very helpful in the past (with suggestions).

http://www.sarveywildlife.org/

Cait June 6, 2013 (12:51 pm)

OMG… Monty Python. I love this town.

wswildlife June 6, 2013 (2:05 pm)

It’s a very good idea to have pet birds’ wings clipped regularly so they can’t fly too far or too high to put themselves in danger or get lost. It does not hurt them, and is definitely worth considering what may happen by not doing it. There are avian veterinarians in Seattle who can do this for you, and also may be able to show you how to do this yourself. I have had many parrots, and clipping their wings did not hurt them, and they could still fly a little, just not far or high. Please seriously consider this, you have a beautiful bird.

Irukandji June 6, 2013 (2:07 pm)

Hector, were you able to get your bird back? Is she safe now?

Meredith June 6, 2013 (3:13 pm)

Still in the tree.

nemobeansmom June 6, 2013 (3:29 pm)

Isn’t this the same Parrot that got loose a few months ago?! :>)

OH IT IS DUH!!!! Read the whole story.

westseattledood June 6, 2013 (4:49 pm)

Hope she stays put. Away from transformers, tanglefoot, eagles and barbed wire, etc.

So, Hector, I agree with above the commenter who encouraged you to maintain Maya as a clipped bird.

If there is an issue keeping her reliably constrained and safe with full flight feathers, then you might want to evaluate her cage/aviary set up or get her clipped.

I am sure other very experienced bird people will chime in with their recommendations of where to go nearby to get her flight feathers maintained – maybe a clinic that will schedule you in advance and call to remind you to bring her in to get clipped if you forget. That is what I use to have to do to remind myself of my birds’ feather grow out – and I worked in vet clinics! ;)

Hope you can get her down before she figures out there is a whole other world to see.

Good luck and keep her safe!

Sonoma June 6, 2013 (10:47 pm)

Google “how to find lost pet bird” for some tips, Hector. Hope you and your parrot are reunited. I think some experts recommend that if the bird escapes, you put the parrot’s cage outdoors, with food in the dish and, of course, the door open. Hopefully, Maya will see her cage and return home.
You can get parrots’ wings clipped at Bird & Exotic Clinic up in Fremont.

Hector June 6, 2013 (11:10 pm)

Thank you so much for your concern, advices and support I got Maya back, I was touched by everybody who help or stop to say hi, the kids from the school, Maya was happy for the adventure and lucky that nothing bad happened, special thanks to RObert and Dorothy who keep me company while we waited for Maya to come down, love

ltfd June 6, 2013 (11:44 pm)

Macaw, not Parrot.

ca June 7, 2013 (6:56 am)

please clip your bird wings…she seems to be an escape artist, and so many possibilites of her getting hurt.

dan June 7, 2013 (8:00 am)

hector glad you got her back.. you should get her a harness..saves these little escapes… i met you and your GF last summer at the west seattle junction car show.. dan

CJ June 7, 2013 (8:32 am)

Hector, I am so glad to read that you have Maya back!

To those recommending clipping wings, please be aware that many parrots with clipped wings have flown away. PLEASE don’t think that just because your parrot’s wings are clipped you can safely take them outside. Or even do something like answer the door with your parrot on your shoulder. All it takes is for something to startle them or a gust of wind that gets under their wings and off they go. And, if they aren’t used to flying they may get somewhere and be afraid to fly down to their owner.

Clipping wings is not painful to the parrot, it is like clipping your fingernails. But there are health risks for a non-flighted parrot. Every owner has to determine where they fall on the risk/benefit continuum of wing clipping.

Clipped or not, one of the best things you can teach your parrot is to come when called.

By the way, the name parrot includes everything from tiny parakeets to big macaws.

WSB June 7, 2013 (8:33 am)

Thanks, CJ (and everybody else with helpful info) – We do now know it’s a macaw but please be aware that when we originally published this story, we hadn’t seen the bird and didn’t know.

westseattledood June 7, 2013 (10:50 am)

Good to hear she is safe.

steve June 7, 2013 (1:11 pm)

I always thought Craig was a great McCaw.

miws June 7, 2013 (4:36 pm)

I dunno steve. I’ve heard he was a bit of a phone-y.

Mike

Orion June 7, 2013 (7:53 pm)

We liked seeing the parrot when we arrived at Tilden School yesterday. Many people were looking at it. We were concerned that Maya flew really far away. I am glad she is back home. Orion (2nd grader @ Tilden)

Kari June 7, 2013 (10:38 pm)

Maya! You are a naughty bird!
I’m glad you got her back safely, Hector.
I met you guys earlier this week- My Suzie-Q pestered you to play fetch with her, mostly to get Maya jealous, I’m sure, but Maya was kind enough to put up with it. Animals have such personalities!

Sorry, comment time is over.