My bird escaped. What do I do now?
If your bird has escaped, start looking and spreading the word straight away. If you have found a bird, use the found-bird guide instead.
Start nearby and start now
Search the immediate area and ask neighbours to look too. Birds can move quickly, so widen the search rather than assuming the bird will remain close to home.
Make home recognisable
If it is safe and practical, a familiar cage, food station, familiar voice or calls from a companion bird may help an escaped bird recognise home. Prefer recordings or your own voice; do not expose a companion bird to wild birds or their droppings. Check current WA bird-flu precautions before placing birds or equipment outdoors.
Tell the people who may receive a found bird
Contact nearby veterinary clinics, shelters/rescues and your local government. In WA, RSPCA WA also recommends local lost-and-found community groups. Give a clear photo, where and when the bird went missing, and reliable contact details.
Use identification records
If the bird is microchipped, make sure the registry details are current and follow the registry's lost-pet process. Keep leg-ring numbers, photographs and distinctive features available to help establish ownership.
If you can see the bird, don't turn recovery into a chase
An escaped bird may be frightened even when they recognise you. Stay calm, use familiar cues and give the bird a safe opportunity to come closer. If recovery is difficult or the bird is in danger, contact an avian veterinarian, rescue service or other experienced local service for advice.
Keep checking
Continue checking vets, shelters, local-government facilities and lost-pet posts beyond the first day. A finder may not know the bird's species or use the same description you would.
Lost and found pet birds: community links
For Perth and Western Australia, try these Facebook communities alongside contacting local vets and your council:
- Lost and Found Birds of Western Australia — Facebook group
- Lost and Found Birds WA — Facebook group
- Pets of Perth – Lost & Found — Facebook page
Also check your suburb’s and neighbouring suburbs’ community groups. Outside WA, look for a lost-and-found pet group covering your area. Facebook may require login or group approval; read the group’s posting rules.
Do not wait for a post to be approved or answered if a bird needs urgent care. These are independent community listings, not emergency services operated by Little Beaks.
No Facebook? Search or report a bird on Parrot Alert, and contact nearby veterinary clinics and your local council. You can also ask someone you trust to share a notice for you.
For a notice, include a clear photo, the suburb and when the bird was lost or found. Avoid publishing your home address or full identification numbers. If you have found a bird, keep some identifying details private so a claimant can provide evidence of ownership.
Sources and further reading Show references
Sources checked 5 October 2026. These steps do not guarantee recovery; follow current local biosecurity advice.