Lovebird trapped in cabinets under sink!! Help!

[Cichlid]

It's been an interesting two days. Yesturday I found this lovebird stuck in some sticky weeds (like fly paper sticky). I got her out and took her to Petsmart for some advice. The lady said she could be wild or escaped from it's owner. We cleaned her up and took her outside to see if she would fly. Well, she didn't so I bought a cage and some food. My mom decided she would take her in, so she came to pick her up. She seems very tame and very comfortable in her cage. She lets us hold her and seems ok with people. My mom decided to take her in the bathroom today to let her roam in an enclosed area. However, after a few mins she found a hole under the cabinets and went up. My mom had the house built this year and we're pretty sure it's a dead end, no wall access or anything. It's been about 3 hours though, and no sign. What should we do? Any help would be appreciated!!! Thanks!!!

[linda040899]

I really hate to say this but if she doesn't come out, she will die trapped in the cabinet. My best suggestion is to bite the bullet and either cut a hole in the bottom of the cabinet or remove it from where it is. I've never had this happen so others may have different suggestions. Personally, this is what I would do.

[kimsbirds]

Yep, I'm with Linda.
Cut a hole and get that bird out! If it dies in the cabinet wall, you'll have a horrible smell, worms, maggots etc and who knows what else...
When you took this bird in, you took on responsibility and thats where you are now. Please don't let that birdie die !!!!

Kimmie
PS I'll be here for a while....if I can help out just message me !!

[Buy A Paper Doll]

Agree with Linda. If this bird is not tame, you will most likely not be able to coax him/her out. You're going to have to remove part of the cabinet.

[Cichlid]

You guys don't think she'll come out on her own, maybe in the morning? I'm not against cutting the hole if I have to. Thanks for the advice.

[Christine9]

Is there any way you can try and bribe her to come out with some millet? Maybe by putting near where she entered the hole? That's, of course, providing she isn't actually stuck and just hiding. Can you hear her at all?

If moving or taking the cabinet apart isn't an option, at the very least I would leave her cage in the bathroom overnight, with the lights on and the door closed. If she is just hiding, then hopefully she will eventually come out on her own when she gets hungry.

I have to ask, though, out of curiosity...would I be correct in assuming you live in the US? (Because of the Petsmart comment.) If that is the case, are you actually saying that the Petsmart employee told you the lovebird might be a wild lovebird? Because the last time I checked, lovebirds were from Africa. They don't live in the wild in the US, not that I am aware of anyway. I am shocked that the employee would tell you to re-release that bird back into the wild. Thank god she had the sense to stay with you (she was someone's pet at one time). In any case, you are doing a great service by rescuing this bird, and I sincerely hope she comes out and is ok. Good luck and keep us updated.

[Z28Taxman]

You guys don't think she'll come out on her own, maybe in the morning? I'm not against cutting the hole if I have to. Thanks for the advice.

She's probably scared half to death. Even if she's tame and used to being handled, she's been lost in the wild and is now in a strange place with new peopel and might not know how to get out of the cabinet. Birds can't see in the dark very well so she might not even be able to see to get out. Yup, I'd be working to get her out.

I hope you're able to free her.

[linda040899]

Christine,
There are feral lovebirds in Arizona, which is where Cichlid is from. I can remember an incident that happened about 8-10 yrs ago when some residents cut down trees where lovebird had nests. Many babies died and 30+ had to be rehabilitated/handfed and adopted out as pets.

Do I think she will come out on her own? Doubtful. Strange place = fear and she's in a dark, secure place. I would either remove the cabinet or cut a hole large enough so that you can see under the cabinet.

[Cathy]

She's sure to be frightened. If you have a laptop, you can play some lovebird chirping. She might try to go find out where the bird is. Good luck. Keep us advised!

[Cichlid]

Yes the Petsmart employee suggested letting her go. She seemed convinced she was wild. But like I said, she seems too tame to be wild. My mom handled her all day without getting bit. We live in AZ and we do have wild colonies, I've seen them in trees along canals. Anyway, I think I can hear her, but it's not major movement. I bought some millet on the way over to my mom's. I tried sticking it the hole for a little bit, but no bites. I turned off all the lights except for a small light by the hole and sat quietly in the dark for about 30 mins, but no luck.

[Cichlid]

Yeah, I tried the laptop .wav files, but nothing.

[Christine9]

Christine,
There are feral lovebirds in Arizona, which is where Cichlid is from. I can remember an incident that happened about 8-10 yrs ago when some residents cut down trees where lovebird had nests. Many babies died and 30+ had to be rehabilitated/handfed and adopted out as pets.


Wow, that's interesting- thanks for clarifying that. I'm not familiar with the term ferel, though. Am I correct in assuming that these wild lovies probably originated from people's pets that escaped and survived and multiplied in the wild? Being from New England, I tend to forget sometimes that there are warm places in the US in which parrots can survive in the wild. >o

Chiclid- when you played the .wav files, did you hear her at all, moving or chirping?

[linda040899]

You have a choice. If it's dark, you can leave the light on with the millet visible. She may come out in the morning, although it's not a sure thing. If she doesn't, Plan B is to cut/remove the cabinet.

[linda040899]

Wow, that's interesting- thanks for clarifying that. I'm not familiar with the term ferel, though. Am I correct in assuming that these wild lovies probably originated from people's pets that escaped and survived and multiplied in the wild? Being from New England, I tend to forget sometimes that there are warm places in the US in which parrots can survive in the wild.

Ferel means living in the wild. These birds would normally be someone's pets but they either escaped or were released. Same thing happened with Quaker Parrots. They adapt and do quite well in a non-native habitat.

[Janie]

Oh my, I would cut through and get that lovie out asap. Good luck!

[Christine9]

I just wanted to add, that as someone mentioned already, if the lovie dies in that hole, your mom is going to have a pretty gruesome situation on her hands (the smell, bugs, etc.). Either way your mother is going to have to end up cutting through or removing that cabinet- she might as well do the right thing and do it now, before the bird dies. I hate to sound harsh, and I know it was an accident, but this poor lovie didn't ask for this to happen.

[Buy A Paper Doll]

I don't think you should wait until morning. Little birds have a high metabolism; they can't go without food/water that long.

What I'm going to say next may be offensive to some people:

It may sound extreme to cut out part of a cabinet to save a bird's life. I understand that not everyone may be willing to do this. But if you wait, the bird is going to die and it is going to smell and attract God only knows what kind of bugs and bacteria in your home. And then guess what, you're going to have to cut out part of a cabinet to remove a dead, rotting bird. Remove a live bird now, or remove a dead bird later. Your choice.

[bellarains]

I am trying to visualize the cabinet to make a suggestion. If you can cut a hole so that a panel can be inserted back in, or possibly even a hole that a door can be installed on then that would maybe save the cabinet. Either way, cutting a hole to get her out seems to be the only option, but you can cut it so that the cabinet can be salvaged, or repaired.

[zlatushka]

ack! I'll be watching this thread for news, and praying that somehow y'all are able to get that little lovie out all right.

[shylevon]

If you turn off the lights, she may not be able to get out. Bird's eyesight does not fair well in dim lights, and she will probably be more afraid in a darkened and strange space.

If you can hear her moving around, she is probably not in immediate danger, or stuck in there firmly.

The most important thing she will need is water. Ensure she has that, and she will make it through the night. Perhaps she will emerge in the morning, if you leave some millet by the cabinet hole. Gently tapping on the cabinet, on the opposite side of the hole may edge her toward that side and out, but don't frighten her. I know my birds love a good hiding place, but they will come out after they get bored. Of course, my birds are comfortable in my home. All bets are off when the birdie is a stranger in the house.

If she doesn't come out by tomorrow at noon or so, get out the saw.

[CaptMicha]

Updates????

If she's still alive and you haven't got her out yet, you could try a sparrow trap.

Or stick some kind of stick in there and try to freak her out of there. Ask your local ascpa or humane society for advice or they might come out to rescue the bird.

Also, please alert one of those organizations b/c some one might be missing a bird and the first place most people check is organizations like that and the newspaper.

And, I know that it's just one bird but please consider not letting it go wild again. Lovebirds are displacing native birds in AZ. It's a big problem w/ the conservation of native species that are becoming endangered.

[Christine9]

Did she come out or did you get her out? I can't help thinking about her...:(

[chris_lynn]

im worried!!!!!!! please hurry if your going to cut open the cabinet!!!!!

[Eliza]

Any news???

Sometimes we forget how tiny these lovies really are -- they can easily squeeze into a small hole or space.

Keep us posted...

-e-

[Kathryn]

Any update would be appreciated...please don't leave us hanging...the suspense is un-nerving!

[Cichlid]

The bird is OUT!!!! I am SOOOO sorry I couldn't get on here ealier to let you guys know. It's been a long day and I just got home a couple hrs ago.

Jasmine, the bird in question, got out this morning. My mom basically slept in the bathroom last night worried. However, before getting the saw, she got a glow stick out that my son had at her house and stuck it in the hole. She tapped on the cabinet a little bit and she heard a little chirp. Knowing she was ok, she went to get the saw and do what she needed to do. When she came back, Jasmine had got out on her own and went right in her cage we had on the floor! We got lucky!

I want to thank all of you guys for your concern and your help. We couldn't have done it without your suggestions. THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

[Z28Taxman]

Glad the little one got out. She just needed a little light to find her way home again. :cool:

[linda040899]

Thank God and thank you for the update!!!!!!! I've been checking back here all day, hoping for a good ending to this story. Guess that hole is gonna get plugged up, huh?

[Cichlid]

Now that that's over, I wanted to tell you the whole story of how I found her. I think it's a pretty good story.

I read meters for an electric company in AZ and I was on my route when I saw Jasmine caught up in some weeds. I hate these type of weeds because they have a sticky substance all over its vines and seeds. Well Jasmine was on her back all tangled with vines around her feet, neck, and wings. She was trying to bite her way out, but I don't think she would have made it. I cut her out with my knife and put her on a short wall by these people's house. While cleaning her off, she jump off the wall into a big mess of grass clippings and tree/bush cuttings. She went straight down to the bottom where I couldn't get to her. I left thinking she could be wild and she would clean herself and get out. I went around the block reading some more meters, but my conscience wouldn't let me keep going. I went back to the house and emptied all that crud out for about 10 mins, but no sign of Jasmine, just lizards, ants, grubs, and spiders. I felt better because I figured she got out and flew off. Well as I was putting the last bunch of branches back into the pile, I noticed a little bird looking back at me. I didn't realize she was in the first set of branches I took out of the pile! I decided I would put her in my work truck while I knocked on some doors to see if anyone lost a bird. Well, on the way back she struggled loose from me and went right back in the sticky vines. Grrrrr. I got het out and put her inside the truck, she just sat nicely on my seat. I knocked on about 6 of the surrounding house with no sign of a lost bird owner. I looked at the clock and saw that it was 9am and the Petsmart across the street had opened. I drove over and that's when we really cleaned her up and did the test flight. Since she didn't want to go I bought a cage, some food, and some other essentials. I now have a bird. I also have 2 cats, a dog, fish, a 3 yr old, a 10 month old, a not-so-thrilled-about-a-bird wife, and a mother that's as just as big of an animal lover (sucker) as me. Well, after talking with my mom for a second, she was in her car on her way to meet me to get Jasmine. She got her home and instantly fell in love. We tried to soak in as much info as possible from this site and a few others. But then yesturday, the day after I found her, well you know what happened. Thank goodness she's ok! Now anyone know someone that wants to buy all my mom's scented candles??? Just kidding. She is doing very well and loves to do little tricks. She plays with her toy and seems to enjoy my mom's company. She's eating and drinking well despite her last couple days. I went back to the neighborhood today looking to see if anyone put up flyers, but there was nothing. I would feel bad if someone is looking for her, I know that feeling of trying to find a lost pet. However she has a good home that will be FULLY bird proofed this weekend! I promise!!!!

[linda040899]

I'm so very glad that this story has a happy ending for Jasmine! Sounds like she's made herself right at home at your mom's place! Trust me. If your non-bird loving wife is around a lovebird long enough, she will most likely get bitten by the lovie bug! All of here have that trait in common. We are all lovie slaves....... :whistle:

[zlatushka]

WHEW!!!!!!

Glad to hear that this story has a happy ending! (and congrats on your new birdie! I'm sure we' d all like to see some pics of the famous Miss Jasmine when she's settled in a bit.)

[Cichlid]

Yes, I am taking my camera with me this weekend to get some pics. It's funny about my wife though. When I told her I found a bird and told her the story she was thrilled for the bird. However, her first reaction was that it would be another mouth to feed and too much to take care of if we couldn't find the owner. I got home and showed her an internet pic of a lovie and she said, "Oh, I was picturing it looked like a pigeon." She didn't realize it was cute!! Oh well, I think my mom and Jasmine will be better off there.

[Kathryn]

Whew! Thank you so much for the update.
Jasmine has had some terrifying experiences the past several days and has kept her composure. She must be a little survivor!
Love a happy ending!

[Cichlid]

My mom said when she went in her cage Jasmine gave her a funny look. Kinda like, "What's your deal? I slept great, how 'bout you?"

[linda040899]

Now that's funny! I'm so glad that Jasmine has found herself a good home! :)

I'll sleep better tonight without having this little lovie trapped in a cabinet under a sink in the back of my mind!

[Kali]

Hi,
I have been watching the Jasmine story and just prayed that it would have a good ending, and it has. I know by now both your wife and your mum will be smitten with the lovebird bug. I hope you will have many happy years to enjoy her company. Kali.

[Janie]

I got home and showed her an internet pic of a lovie and she said, "Oh, I was picturing it looked like a pigeon." She didn't realize it was cute!!


That cracked me up! :D Same thing here, I had no idea what a lovebird was or looked like when I was offered my first one for adoption. They are cute! :D:D:D

So glad things are working out well for Jasmine and your mom! :)

[Susan27]

I have been following this story as well. I have also been telling my mother and roommate about it. When they wake up, I have to tell them that Jasmine is all right and a happy little lovie.

Glad to hear all is good!:happy:

[Christine9]

This is so great to hear! I was really worried about the poor little lovie. I'm glad she came out and now will have a good home, if her original one cannot be found. You might want to tell you mom to check the local newspaper or petfinder.com to see if anyone in your area is missing a lovie. I'm sure at the very least, her original owner would love to know she is ok. Good luck and thanks so much for letting us know what happened (otherwise we probably would of assumed the worse). And definitely post pics if you get a chance. We love pictures!

[Eliza]

YAY!

I'm so glad that Jasmine is out of the cabinet :)

Keep us posted on her progress...

-e-