Home » Bird Forums » Community » Lost & Found » San Antonio, TX - Found Umbrella Cockatoo
Posted by NateW on Thu, 05/20/2004 - 20:42 :: Lost & Found
Originally written by a vet in Texas. The "I" in this message isn't me, it's him! :-)


Today, I examined an umbrella cockatoo for a family that found the bird flying in a neighborhood near San Antonio, Texas (2 weeks ago). The family has been trying to locate an owner, but has not succeeded. The female cockatoo has a left closed band. I assume that this is a Florida aviary but I am not familiar with this band. Does anyone know which aviary this bird may have come from? If so, how can the owner contact the aviary and possibly find the original owner. I realize it may be a long shot but the owner is willing to try.

Thanks,

Scott Echols, DVM
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Posted by MikeB on Thu, 05/20/2004 - 22:16.
What is the only bird that can fly backwards?
This was a question Jay asked the Jaywalk All-stars on the Tonight Show tonight.
The contestant’s answers were Duck, Penguin and Helicopter.
Interestingly enough the guy that guessed Penguin was actually holding a good luck charmer that he takes everywhere.
It was a life size plastic replica of a Penguin.
That makes the vets question seem not so dumb after all.
It's days like this I’m a little ashamed to be a human.

Mike Bross
Phoenix AZ
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Posted by MikeB on Thu, 05/20/2004 - 22:57.
It seems that Scott is a DABVP and something of a celebrity at that.
http://www.rcbctx.org/Seminar2004/seminarHome.htm

Mike Bross
Phoenix AZ
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Posted by NateW on Fri, 05/21/2004 - 23:00.
It makes sense not to give out the band number, so the owner can give HIM the number to prove ownership.... but it seemed odd to me that he would ask about the aviary without being able to give out the band number. I wonder what he's thinking.

But speaking of birds that can fly backward, a friend of mine has a lovebird that can. It was on her shoulder, I reached up to pet it, and it scooted up and backward about a foot or so. I pulled my arm back and it went right back to her shoulder. I couldn't help but laugh.... It sure caught me by surprise, I've seen birds fly away before of course, but never in reverse!

Nate Waddoups
Redmond WA USA
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Posted by NateW on Sun, 05/23/2004 - 20:45.
I'm told that Dr. Echols' email address is SPOTDVM@AOL.com

Nate Waddoups
Redmond WA USA
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Posted by MikeB on Sun, 05/23/2004 - 22:42.
The whole issue of bird ID is worth a few minutes of serious consideration. Banding, micro chip, DNA and tattoo are a patchwork of ideas that don’t work that well and don’t work at all with out the bird owner’s participation. I suspect that less than half of us can make a phone call and get someone to give us our own name address and phone number using only the band ID information. Its sad when a lost bird can’t be reunited with its owner yet I suspect few birds are returned because the finder could easily identify the owner and contact them from some ID on the bird. Did you member to update your bird ID database the last time you moved or changed your phone number? Is the breeder or vet still in business or have they moved or changed names or lost or thrown out their records? Can you really figure out who to call with just a band ID? You might be surprised at what you find if you try.
http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww5eiii.htm
http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww7eiii.htm

Mike Bross
Phoenix AZ
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