I am proud of New York for banning the sale of dogs. The dog mill shops made me physically sick. Lets think about the dog show. Lets make it more humane. And ask Pete Wells to stop eating meat for a month just for the good of it.
15
Okay, I know I'm being a Debbie Downer here. And I know this couple rescued their birds from certain death on the streets. I am very glad for the happy ending to their personal story.
But the exotic bird trade is an incredibly cruel, corrupt, and dehumanizing industry. Babies are taken from their nests and smuggled into the country in suitcases, etc. God knows what other damage the poachers do during their hunts. Many birds never survive capture and transport.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_parrot_trade
I cannot support the private ownership of any exotic animals. Aren't dogs and cats good enough? Maybe a guinea pig? Hooded rats make good pets.
If you do choose to have a bird companion, at the very least have their wings clipped so they are unable to fly more than a few yards. Done properly, it is painless and would prevent Houdini escapes such as was narrated here.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wing_clipping
56
Terrific article.
And lucky bird lover whose Frankie loves her back.
76
Absolutely Heart wrenching and emotional read. I'm so happy to know you found Frankie and were reunited, hopefully for many years to come.
68
Nice. Maybe next time put her in a carrier.
17
What a touching piece. As one who has had birds since elementary school, I deeply empathize with how this story unfolded, and was especially the descriptions of how birds alter friendships and how Frankie behaved, wanting to fly down to her, bobbing, calling out. My conure behaves exactly the same way: I identified with the panic immediately. As with other readers, I'm delighted Frankie was reunited with you.
But I have one question: Is your name really Flitter? : )
46
A very suspenseful and emotionally affecting article. I was very happy and relieved to learn that the author and Frankie were finally reunited.
44
As serial parrot rescuers, my family is too familiar with lost parrot stories, and we were overjoyed to read the ending.
Our first Quaker parrot, Kiwi, was spotted by daughters Florence and Alice, on their way to flamenco class, in Plaza de Mina, Cadiz, Spain. She was a pre-flight feral chick, fallen from her giant communal nest in the palms. When I returned after dropping off the girls at class, Kiwi was surrounded by neighbor kids waving a stick at her as she hid in the roots of the enormous kapok tree that dominates the plaza. They all watched anxiously as I put my hand under the root and scooped her up, eagerly anticipating ‘el anglo’ getting his fingers mangled. But Kiwi snuggled into my hand right away, sensing safety and security - to the awe of the neighbor kids. Soon she was eating formula from a syringe, learning to fly, and traveling with the family throughout Europe and North America - and welcoming several other parrots rescued by my daughters. She even helped re-rescue her companion Quaker, Cyber - another young rescue bird - when he bolted from a shoulder one day before we realized he could fly. Exchanging calls and responses, Kiwi led us to an enormous tree a block away, where Cyber sat patiently awaiting rescue.
Kiwi is gone now, but Cyber continues to pass along the education he received from Kiwi in the ways of parrots and humans to still more rescue birds. As with Frankie, Kiwi taught us that trust and love can surmount the barriers of size and species.
68
Many years ago, when my husband and I lived in Orlando, FL, we had small flock of unrelated cockatiels -- four to be exact, also known as my "bird herd."
One day as I was finishing some shopping. a delivery man came into the store asking if anyone knew anything about birds. Long story short, I followed him out to the parking lot behind the store and there found a little lutino cockatiel on the pavement, clearly exhausted. The delivery man told me that when he approached the bird, it tried to bite him. I immediately scooped him, and he was perfectly well-behaved.
After unsuccessfully trying to find its person, I decided to keep him. He was grumpy and grouchy and not particularly sociable with my husband and me, but only wanted to be with our other birds. I named him "Sweetpea" and hoped that one day he'd grow into his name.
61
so good to hear Frankie is safe - the story made me cry a bit. Now though :)
33
Two years ago I was camping with my 2 dogs and 3 cats. One of my cats became startled by a speeding automobile and darted across the road and past the armed guard at the entrance a nuclear power plant along the central coast of California. I was not allowed to follow her.
After 12 days of searching, having gained entrance to the restricted area, I accepted that she was gone forever. But a week later I received a phone call asking if I 'was the guy who lost a cat.' By the time I was able to return to the campground and locate my cat in the bush, she had been on her own for 22 days. I give thanks everyday that she and I were reunited. I believe that she too feels a special bond with me because she shows me a degree of trust and affection unusual in cats.
You Parrot appears to be a Sun Conure, my cat is a Devon Rex. Both animals are known to be excellent companions and very intelligent. I'm delighted that your story also has a happy ending.
55
I have been through this with cats and dogs. Reading about Frankie and her humans I realized the feelings are identical. Forget species. It's about love.
55
Probably in the comments here, someone has mentioned the fabulous but true story, By Issac Beshevis Singer in his Stories For Children about a parrot, beloved by a family, I think in Brooklyn; or maybe the East side of Manhattan.
I love this parrot story in the NYTimes today. It reminds me of Isaac Singer's Parrot story: a must read.
I once talked to children emerging from rain forest with baby parrots in their hands, and though it bothered me they would probably be sold, never to fly again through the shafts of light in the forest, I kept quiet and just listened to the children.
I agree that wild birds and animals should not be trafficked, irresponsibly bred for cash or mistreated in any way.
However, other aspects are sometimes at play which border on the mystical in human and animal loving engagement. I truly feel that humans whose lives have been changed forever by the love an animal or bird shares with us, who has come into our lives, have received a great gift.
I hope that humans try harder to care for and protect the awesome beauty and life sustaining biodiversity of wildness.
42
I love happy endings!
22
I know the joy and relief of finding a lost pet. Mine was a calico cat, and she sure was glad to see me when I finally found her. The three of you, and Friday, too, are lucky to have each other. I hope that non-pet owners will read your tale of woe turned into reunion, and learn a bit about the joys of sharing your life with a fellow animal who, by luck, happens not to be a human animal.
30
So so happy you got your beloved bird back...tou knew what you were doing, and communicated well!
16
How wonderful that your last name is Flitter! Your reunion with Frankie Flitter was Kismet..
22
Thank you NYT for a lovely story. I’m a birder and love all kind of birds that fly the skies, I had about 30 Cardinals on my feeders today. It’s been raining and cold out but they were preparing for the freezing rainy weather tomorrow. It so important to refresh your feeders and birdbaths as these wild birds get used to them and depend greatly on you. I don’t care for people that have birds for pets, totally unfair to restrain them and put them in cages.
14
@Jo Powell Except remain mindful that as pets, their life expectancy is dramatically increased while being spared the hardships & cruelties of natural law. There is a trade off ... I understand that. Yet we had a pet red winged blackbird for 7 years and learned how a bird can bond with humans and STILL have a quality of a wonderful life!
36
Indeed, never give up looking for a lost pet. As a bird"owner" and -lover it would have been even better to let the readers of this heatwarming article know that:
1) birds are better kept as couples or groups.
2) birds love to fly in the sky, enjoy their natural habitat, but homes for humans don't offer that.
3) birds are not toys. They suffer if kids unintentionally hurt them.
4) they need special food! Bread and even worse: pizza (!!) is bad for birds, they can die because of it as their non-human stomach is not made for bread.
5) parrots need a lot of care, love and intelligence games. A lot!
If they don't get that, they can get serious psychological and/or healthproblems (which can be sad and "annoying" to the "owner").
6) parrots can become very old, way older than dogs or cats. It is a great responsibility to take care for them their whole life.
7) (special) vets for birds cost money too as you don't want to your bird to suffer.
8) please don't buy them in petstores. These birds could be stolen from wild forests and non-healthy birds are not treaten well in their small cages. Or they are even killed if not fit for sale.
8) Rather support bird organisations and if well prepped (read many books) go to an animalshelter. They can very well advise you to see if their birds fit to our situation.
9) if this is too much text to read... birds is too much work, really.
The sky inhabits many birds for free though - to watch and enjoy!
54
@Astrid Vienna Yes, thank you for making these points. I didn't want to write a negative response to such a heart-warming story, but of all the animals we humans keep in captivity, the birds break my heart the most. They are designed to FLY--from their feathers to their brains to their bones. It is unbelievably cruel to take these creatures out of the sky and subject them to living in a tiny cage their entire lives. And, as you also point out, most of them are creatures of flocks. Watch the flocks of wild parrots that are huge, extended families and communities that fly over areas that can comprise square miles--they were never, ever meant to live their lives alone in tiny cages, unable to fly and eating our trash food. Not that that is "living" or that it's much of a "life" for them.
29
Love these tips. I’m considering adopting a bird but only when I can provide the best home and lifestyle for it.
9
@Astrid Vienna
If any reader is touched by this story be sure to read Alex and Me, a remarkable book about a research parrot that not only demonstrated astonishing intelligence but also built an emotional bond with his investigator. The book provides insight into the quality of life of a bird who spends most of his time in a cage but enjoys extraordinary stimuli. I know no one who has read the book and not been deeply touched.
20
Oh so good Frankie was found at the end. I was apprehensive while reading. Never expected a piece like this from the nyt.
16
What a captivating story!
So glad for the happy ending.
18
Thank you so much for this heartwarming story. 💛
16
Happy ending.
Next time, use a more secure carrier.
8
Parrots aren't meant to be pets because most humans can't provide for them the life they need. They are incredibly social creatures, and they are meant to fly. They are also the #1 surrendered creature (https://www.humanesociety.org/news/no-fly-zone) because people who take them as pets don't realize what they're getting into.
I have a pet parrot, a rescued male Eclectus named Guapo. He is my son. I love him more than I can articulate here. And although I believe we should severely restrict the breeding of parrots, if we are going to take care of parrots that had no choice of being born into this situation, you must be responsible and clip their wings so there's no chance for this storry to happen again. A domesticated parrot flying into the wild is a death sentence: they don't know how to forage for food, to evade predators, to build a nest--it is the responsibility of the owner to clip their wings to avoid tragedy.
31
@Scot - why would you maim an animal in order to keep it as a “pet” - rescued or not. #nocageisbigenough
5
@Patty Clipping a parrot's wings is not "maiming them." This is a common misconception. The wings are clipped, they grow back, and it causes no pain. It's a safety issue like the OP said.
10
@Patty Wings are clipped for the safety of the bird. Most likely, the residence of the bird will have windows, which most birds don't understand (how many birds fly *into* windows from the outside?). They can fly into dangerous places, behind furniture, bookshelves, atop curtain rods where it could be traumatic for the bird when one tries to retrieve it. They naturally chew on things, and if they find themselves near electrical cords, that could be fatal. There are many reasons to clip a pet bird's feathers. And yes, they do grow back, and no, there is no pain. It's like cutting hair. Safety of the bird is most important.
13
Oh, that's lovely. I'm so glad you were reunited.
About 10 years ago I had a little green parakeet stop by my fire escape and I thought I was dreaming. I went to get it some water and bread, but it flew off when I opened the window. I did worry about that poor little bird.
8
Thanks for sharing your emotional journey Emily and taking us through a story that can only happen in NYC. I know how much Frankie means to you and I sighed in relief when you described the happy ending.
10
@Maeve not true it happened to our lovebird who we’ve named Fancy Pants because of his unique coloring. One day as I was putting his cage with him in it outside in the warm of the morning. He loves the morning sun and the bird calls. Mornings seem to always be a busy time for birds. Well guess what happened next! Yup fancy Pants had squeezed through the corner of the cage that had come apart and off here he flew towards High Point Mountain which we face. Miles and miles of the Catskills state park region. I had to tell my then 7 year old daughter who was devastated by the news. I broke down the rest of his cage and thru it away with a heavy heart. The next morning while I was doing some gardening I heard Fancy Pants he was sitting in between our dog Ace our cat Mew Mew and our other dog Coconut. I ran to the garbage barrel took out Fancy Pants cage put back together and put it in the usual spot by the window with fresh water and food his cage door and the kitchen door open. Guess what happend next next. He flew thru the kitchen door made Uturn right back in to his cage. He loves his home and we love Fancy Pants. We found him when we lived in Manhattans upper west side at castle village 181 st. He was in the garden on one of his adventures. No one ever claimed him so he has been with us on our adventure for the last 10 years
23
My building is close to the river in Williamsburg.
Over the years, I have had 2 cockatiels, a peach faced love bird, and 3 parakeets fly into my place, exhausted.
So glad Frankie found his people.
45
Such an emotional story
I was filled with deep concern & heartfelt worry.
So relieved all were reunited.
16
My cockatiel, Rico, flew off my shoulder from my backyard deck. He flew across two backyards, resting in a tree too high for me to get him. I called the fire department, and their first response was, "A bird's in a tree? Really?" When I explained he was a beloved pet, they sent d fire trucks, and an intrepid firefighter climbed the ladder and got Rico to come down from the tree where he was happily munching leaves. Needless to say, although he spends all day when I'm home out of his cage, I never took him out again. And I gave a nice donation to our wonderful Maplewood NJ fire department.
56
What a beautiful story. I realized toward the end that I’d been holding my breath for a happy ending. Thank God it turned out well. I hope her guardians never lose her again.
32
Your story touched me and was something I could relate to all too well. My yellow African lovebird escaped and flew half way up a 60' foot evergreen in winter. She perched there and ran back and forth on the branch, clearly distressed, but too frightened to fly back down even though I was there, urging her on. Children flocked from all over the neighbourhood, one offering to bring a ladder. Nearly an hour passed. I was so worried a crow would get her. Eventually you could see her summonsing all her courage. She leaned forward, pushed off, and soared all the way down - directly into my outstretched hands.
68
One morning on a bright clear day, I heard someone calling out, “Snooky, Snooky. And it was someone in my backyard.
It was a neighbor from up the block.
“my cockatiel escaped.”
I’ve been a birder for thirty years and thought I saw his bird the day before. I live on a heavily wooded lot. I had called to the bird, but it only flew farther away.
I told my neighbor I’d keep, an eye out.
A few days later I ran into my neighbor. “ Has Snooky returned?”
“ Yes, I put an ad in the paper and told the local police. Well, I got a call the next day. Snooky was found sitting on top of a dog’s head. Both dog and bird were sitting quietly on the sidewalk.
76
One summer day, a bright blue parakeet landed on my fire-escape in Brooklyn and ate from my bird feeder together with a few cardinals. What a sight! I tried to capture her in a towel, but she flapped free and took off. I was very sad thinking about her likely fate.
On the other hand, the wild green parrots that roost in Brooklyn's Greenwood cemetery were a constant delight, perched and squawking in the trees near my house.
14
I am amazed you found your bird at all. I’m so happy you did! A friend that inherited a bird felt sorry for it and decided to ‘set it free’ and as the parakeet took flight a hawk swooped out of a tree and ate it for breakfast. Not quite what she had in mind but not at all surprising really...but she was devastated.
15
That was tense! Wow!
19
Thank you for this delightful piece about the bonds we enjoy with our animal friends. I’m so grateful my dogs love me! Frankie is a sweetie!
20
You have a very pretty Sun Conure in the picture. I am owned by a green cheek conure along with some other smaller parrots (linnies). I live across the river in New Jersey near where the wild Monk parakeets live. I always thought if my girl ever got loose she’d end up with the colony of Monk parakeets. My girl’s wings aren’t clipped but she doesn’t go outside unless she is in her travel cage. However you can never plan for the unexpected. I am very happy to read your story has a happy ending. Just so you know if a bird is caught by the tail feathers it’s natural for them to fall out so the bird can fly away. The tail feathers will grow back.
19
Why can't Trump just fly away?
78
@AL You'd think he would.....after all isn't that what jailbirds should do?
29
Thank you for a captivating diversion from the Democratic debate. I'm sincerely happy that you were reunited with Frankie.
22
Frankie looks like a Sun Parakeet from South America, where they are under extreme pressures from the cage bird trade. I don’t know where he got Frankie from but the end result is more pressure on wild populations to satisfy people’s desires to “own” something that in its natural habitat flys free.
I’m glad Frankie is okay.
8
@Alan C.
the author isn't a "he" and she says where she got Frankie from - Frankie landed on her roof one day, clearly lost by someone else.
25
Aww, I’m so glad you found her!
11
Like many other readers-
I REALLY needed this story! What a wild girl, that Frankie.
31
I read so fast!
I couldn’t wait to find out what happened to Frankie. He had me so worried.
What a nice ending to a nerve wracking story. Kiss that adorable Frankie for me! And get a better cage!
28
You persistence is heroic and inspiring. The only reason you found Frankie is that you never gave up. Chapeau.
40
So glad you found your Frankie. Your story touched me deeply. I had a budgie I got in Denver and for the first several months we called him the little wooden bird. Eventually, he warmed up and became a real character. He learned to say “Hi! My name is Lucca, I’m a little boy”; and “where’s my briefcase? I’m going to work. After four years we drove cross country, returning to the East coast. ‘Lucca’ rode with us in his little travel cage, with a tiny green bath tub and his favorite tweety-bird. Hostesses at truck stops offered to keep him by the register while we ate our dinners.
Back in Arlington, Lucca lived in a large “condo” with a four foot ladder. His door wasn’t locked except at night. When we made breakfast, he’d climb down his ladder and climb up my pajama leg to my shoulder for his “eggs”. He loved raw beet greens and spinach.
He sat on my shoulder to ride to pet stores, and one day while on the phone with my mom, I walked out to our patio and Lucca took off straight up in the air and was gone. I searched for weeks to find him using fliers, postings on websites, searching pet shelters. Your story brings back the impact a bird can have on a family and a person. I miss Lucca. So glad you could save your little bird.
32
This was an absolutely harrowing read. Thank god a happy ending or I would have had to cancel my subscription.
You have amazing instincts!
28
Thank goodness you found her. I like your pluck, never giving up.
17
Thank you, thank you. I needed that story.
12
I am really glad that Frankie is okay but when are people going to stop keeping birds as pets in cages? These co-animals are smart and social and are struggling to maintain viable populations in the wild without people wanting to keep them as “pets”.
6
What a beautiful mango. I love her. So happy you got her back. Please have an Instagram account for Frankie
6
My Sun Conure flies throughout the house, follows me everywhere. He likes to snuggle inside my shirt while I read. He loves to look out the windows, shrieks an alarm when he sees a cat go by or a blade of grass grow. But he gets anxious when I take him out on the screened porch; he much prefers to be in the house. He’s been an inside bird all his life, since the day he hatched.
By the bye: my shirts look just like yours!
23
A happy story! Thank you!
7
I am so glad. My dog was sniffing around some trees and came upon something that she tried to get close to but kept jumping back. I realized it was a bird and I thought it was an injured wild bird. But it was a grey cockatiel. I put out my finger and it stepped right on it and began to climb up my arm. What a sweetie! He was obviously very relieved to get indoors.
My son dropped him off at our vet and found the owner’s sign while he was putting out our found bird sign. They were reunited!
37
Our Sun Conure, Cicero, was a treasured friend for 24 yrs. An outsized personality, he loved human attention while living with 3 other parrots. Glad Frankie made it home safely.
11
You’re so lucky - unfortunately so often in life things don’t turn out happily ever after.
6
More than one commenter has recommended clipping of wings as a solution to preventing birds “escaping” from their captivity. Try getting out of whatever urban/ suburban environment you live in and try to appreciate birds in there natural environment.
4
I’m glad that Frankie Flitter flitter-ed back into your lives.
And thank you for sharing such a wonderful and informative story.
9
Thank goodness this had a happy ending!
4
Thanks. We needed that. Hi Frankie. Good girl.
13
Thank you for this great story. The world we live in is such an abject cesspool of horror and despair, any happy ending animal tale will always be welcomed.
16
It seems impossible. A lost bird in the City. But the author and the bird found each other again.
Miracle.
19
Pets bring us enormous joy. We need them.
And from the look of the t-shirt Ms. Flitter is wearing in the photo, we can see just how very much Frankie kneads Ms. Flitter.
16
A good ending. I cannot imagine how frightened you were for Frankie. I am so happy you were able to rescue her...again.
9
Poor bird, being held prisoner far from it's native habitat.
5
@Monsp and fed and loved and protected. I’d say humans have it worse than Frankie.
6
@BusyBee
It can't even fly among the trees like a bird. It should be illegal to deprive a species in such a way.
3
Great story, with perfect ending! I got a chuckle out of the photo. It looks as though Frankie enjoys biting your shirt. My daughter’s Conure does the same.
6
Great story by a writer with a most appropriate last name.
4
Well, Frankie is sentient. My Winnie the drone isn't, but I have stories chasing her around our neighborhood here in Brooklyn :)
3
Our first albino parakeet was a rescue from the wild. The bird shop told us she would have been snapped up by a raptor in short order where I found her exhausted: the alley way of our storage space. That's how Hannabelle joined us.
Looking for a pal for her was not easy, but eventually I Craigslisted an elderly couple raising albinos on their land several hours north of us. Months later we heard by email that they would pass east of the the Bay Area on their way south, a migratory path of sorts.
Looking a bit like a cash drop to the local cops in Walnut Creek eyeballing me, I waited in a parking lot, texting frequently. The couple appeared in a camper truck and for $20 we had Princess Num Num to join Hannabelle. Two females get along well if there are no males around.
Not sure if that's also true for the Democratic ticket but wow, I would love to see that tested in November.
12
My lilac crown amazon parrot, mostly green, flew off into a grove
of junipers at dusk, disappearing from sight. I flew after him, and
gave a wolf whistle, and miraculously, way off in the gloom, he
whistled back. We kept whistling as we closed ranks. I found him
glaring at me from a branch in a juniper, training his little yellow
eye on me accusingly as if to ask 'where have you been?'.
25
I am so happy you were reunited. I once had a parrot too, she was so sweet and intelligent. Hope you both stay together safe and sound. <3
3
So so happy you got little Frankie back! Thank you for writing such a good story.
We can give captive birds the healthy , happy, and respectful lives they so deserve with just a little effort: let them fly around the house with full wings as they are meant to, put up some high perches, fill their cage with toys to chew, forage for treats, make noise, climb, and let them have access to a bath everyday. Observe, observe, observe and soak up whatever knowledge you can from good trainers on line. Never buy from a store. Most of all be filled with awe for their majesty in flight
13
You are so lucky..Keep her close. I had the same kind of bird during my childhood.. loved him to death.
3
It's strange to me that someone who calls herself a "birder," and enjoys wild birds would take in a bird as a pet. It's really not natural to have birds as pets, especially in urban environments. Though this reads like a happy ending, I find it quite sad that the author doesn't realize the hypocrisy of her actions. I hope this is the last bird "pet" that she enslaves.
@Mariabraun She rescued the bird, after she found it on her balcony. She tried to find the original owner. Do not fault her for taking in a bird that could not survive in the wild.
39
@Mariabraun, Rescuing a bird is far different from buying one in a pet store.
18
Jack left the barn a month ago. He had been taken to another barn (after sneaking in here) when a youngster and then showed back up here the next day on his own. That was 10 years ago. So, I didn't panic when he went missing for the umpteenth time this time.
A week ago, after much neighborhood searching, I saw turkey hawks circling over a neighbors property. I found the front half of Jack, curiously in repose and unmarked, except his eyes. The back half was gone and looked to be what the coyote ate. What that revealed has been imprinted on my mind.
Nature is a hard and unforgiving place, even for barn cats. Jack feasted on the rodents and then was feasted upon by something bigger. It's an unnatural situation that human conditioned pets are in. Perhaps, the practice of having pets should be rethought? I intellectualize this easily. But when you love them that stuff goes out the window. They arrive somehow and transform you in ways wholly unanticipated. Thank you for this affirming story of rescue and love. I needed it.
13
I, too, once owned a runaway conure. I live in Alaska, and
Buddy, as I later named him flew into my dog yard. He flew from truck to fence to my shoulder, and I learned a great deal about parrots while trying to find his owners. Parrots often try to fly to their ancestral homes when they escape or are put out for a day in the sunshine. Mine was heading south along the coast and stopped in our yard for a rest. They aren't like cats or dogs who know their own house, and clipping their wings is a death sentence if they get outside, especially in Alaska where large birds of prey see them as a tasty bite. Buddy and I became great friends, but I found another home for him because he demanded the attention that a 3-year-old demands, and we were dog mushers who traveled a lot in the winter. I wrote a whole story about Buddy, but it's too long to share here. I am so glad that Frankie got home to you, and that my Buddy ended up in a good home with another bird companion.
19
All’s well that ends well.
3
Very sweet story!
4
When I was taking garbage out to the garage with my cockatiel on my shoulder, my hubby came home unexpectedly and opened the garage door. My baby flew away. I searched for hours and hours, placed ads in the paper, online and hung up rewards posters everywhere. Five days later I got a call. A famIly coming home encountered her when, desperate to get out of the cold, she landed on one of their heads. She flew on the roof and they got a ladder and went up and retrieved her. The children saw my poster on a light pole a couple of days later. What a kind family who risked their necks to get my bird. After that, I always kept her wing clipped.
16
Thank God! I was panicking as I read your story, not knowing how it was going to end. I’m so happy and relieved to hear that Frankie is back home where she belongs. She’s so beautiful!
4
Hurray! A happy ending!
3
I woke up and opened the window to air out the bedroom. I saw an empty nest in a tree and was told watch the spot since birds tend to re-use nests. Well, one day it was gone. The next day there was a couple in the tree. She was on a branch and he was building a nest. She was very fussy – understandable since she was the one who was going to have to spend time in the thing. I watched for hours as he showed her twig after twig, feather after feather and she either approved or disapproved (she liked feathers more but all feathers would have made a flimsy nest). Every time she refused, off he would fly and come back with another offering. This went on for a few days and then – nothing! No nest and no birds. Then one morning, there she was, alone on his branch. And every morning for weeks she would just sit there looking out into space. If birds could talk, I would know what happened. Maybe he died and she was sad and perched on the branch remembering the good times they had had while he was alive. My theory is that the male got fed up with the female’s fussiness and, sorry for the pun, flew the coop (or went out to buy the proverbial pack of cigarettes and never came back). Either way, she realized her loss.
6
that is the cutest story and I am so jealous that you were found by two birds!
5
I was taking care of Chirpy, my girlfriends parrot winged parakeet.
He was on my shoulder as I went outside to empty the trash, unbeknownst to me.
As I leaned over he flew off across the field to an tree 500 yards away.
Grabbed the cage from the house started running around out side screaming Chirpy, Chirpy while holding his cage.
He spotted the cage and flew toward it, missed it, and ended up in my massive oak. Got a 24 ladder, went into the tree with the cage and brought him into the hose.
In the cage he stayed for the rest of the visit.
Got him his favorite, KFC as a reward.
I never told her.
18
Could a dedicated birder really be named ‘Flitter’? Love it.....wonderful story and writing ;)
7
Loved your article. It’s wonderful that you found your lost pet. I owned a pair of budgies once upon a time. Unfortunately I had part with them due to certain reasons. But I’ve always loved birds and animals.
2
What a gripping story, full of humor, suspense and love. By the way Emily is your last name really Flitter? Too, too funny if it is and even if it isn’t! Thank you.
8
Well that brought tears to my eyes. What a lovely story!
31
what a lovely story, it warmed my heart
26
Whew!! I was so relieved that you and Frankie were reunited. How lucky! Birds make our lives so much better!
86
As a pet owner, I was happy to learn that you found your beloved little bird. As an animal lover, though, I couldn't help but feel saddened at the thought that this creature could have spent its life free, in its natural habitat, rather than cooped up in an artificial environment for the pleasure of people who felt entitled to own it. Dogs and cats are different. They've long been domesticated. But keeping birds indoors, even if they're not in cages? I say let them fly free.
14
@ed cheng - It is true. But in the wild, flying free, they are prey for other other animals and other birds of prey. Life is not easy in the wild.
20
@ed cheng While I don't understand how birds can be made pets in the first place, rescuing a bird that has only ever known the safety of a human apartment is admirable. Also, a little exotic social bird completely alone and defenseless and confused amidst the skyscrapers of NYC is hardly a natural environment.
44
@ed cheng : Just because dogs and cats have been domesticated doesn't mean that it's humane to keep *them* cooped up inside, either. Cats need to roam, but almost all are kept indoors for their safety. And even dogs that are given long walks daily aren't enjoying the movement they need.
I've taken in two rescue cats; loved 'em dearly and feel their absence keenly (death from old age). If I could afford to adopt again, I would, in order to save one or more from a shelter. But the bottom line is that it would actually be better if we stopped using animals to meet our needs -- better to stop breeding dogs and sterilize all the ones who are with us now, and let domesticated cats and dogs die out.
Yes, they bring us much joy. But that's the problem: Humans aren't above other animals, yet we make use of them (for food, luxury garments, and companionship) as though we are.
7
How fitting that little Frankie fluttered and flittered and found her way back to Ms. Flitter! Seems you're meant to be together! I hope Frankie never finds herself out and about in the city again. Glad it all worked out. BTW, she is a beautiful bird.
61
I love happy endings. I'm so happy for you and Frankie. I can't believe you were able to find her, much less so quickly. I almost didn't read the story assuming it would not end well. Really needed a great, heart-warming story.
75
Loved the story. With so much "good" news these days, little diversions like this are most welcome!
53
I’m so glad you found her. Before I read the article I made sure it would have a happy ending. I can’t read sad pet stories. Good luck and figure out a pet proof carrier.
62
@Olivia me neither! I also have an App Does The Dog Die to check out movie endings.
Wonderful for Frankie and readers that the ending was a reuniting.
7
A happy ending! I needed this.
This past Fall I was visiting relatives who live in a lovely Paris suburb.
There are tons and tons - well, flocks - of wild green parrots. They make quite a screech when they’re all in a tree. Or several.
I was amazed that there were so many. And certainly parrots are not native to Paris.
Parisian Parrots.
32
@TheraP There is a flock of them in Hyde Park, London, too. They migrated (were brought) from India
4
There are dozens of wild parrots in Pasadena, CA. Maybe more. I think they fly south for the winter.
3
Thank goodness you got her back.
I found my escaped cat dancing on the neighbor's roof. I've never been so happy to see another soul.
51
I have had a parrot for 21 years (since he was a baby), and I still have him. When I first got him, his wings were clipped and I continued clipping them for awhile until he couldn't really fly far because his muscles had not developed. I clipped his wings because I lost a parakeet who flew away when I was a child and I never forgot losing him. My parrot wouldn't be able to survive on his own.
20
Beautiful story and the photos! Look at your shirt - precious. Frankie is a lucky bird. Makes me sad for the owners who lose and never find their lost parrots. I have adopted an African Grey that was lost during Super Storm Sandy. She’s a wonderful talker and has told us so much about her past lives but not enough to ever find her family. I like to think that most lost parrots who do not find their way home land on stoops and sidewalks and get scooped up and given new homes. Thank you for sharing your adventures with Frankie.
104
Thank you for this recounting of your real life adventure with Frankie. It resonates with me.
One of the many and varied occupations I considered as a kid - and kept coming back to was ornithology. We raised and kept birds - many types of pigeons, a pheasant or two, guinea fowl, banty chickens, the occasional duck and at one time a couple of parakeets. From time to time we took in injured birds e.g. a seagull and rehabilitated them for release back into the wild.
And I grew up on an island in the Pacific Northwest where we had an amazing variety of birds - from humming birds to pelicans, eagles, hawks, geese, a few kinds of woodpeckers, quail, swans, herons and cranes, king fishers and ducks of every color and strip. All beautiful...
Birds are wonderful. Thanks again for sharing.
73
Lucky you! I was so happy for you!
Our parakeet flew off in February once. In Illinois. I eventually found him in the bushes nearby, hiding from the cold. He usually would not like being picked up but this time he let me.
79
He’s so beautiful!! And so happy he made it back home.
37
A really heartwarming story. Thank you!
38
OMGosh. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. it brought tears to my eyes. I’m so glad there is a bird like Frankie in this world. And I’m so glad he has you both to care for him.
78
Awww...sweetie! Glad you got him. I caught two hungry lovebirds who came to my window in Denver, adopted them out. But when I got a lilac-crowned Amazon named Simon it was a much longer process. One day, with Simon (and clipped wings) on my shoulder we went to the mailbox. Even though Simone was captive born and raised he looked down the mountain side, bobbed his head and took off. The angle of the mountain gave him enough lift to make it to the cottonwoods at the bottom of the hill, I took off running and felt awful. He had a few moments of glorious bird freedom, but flying was way easier than landing. When he tried to land he didn't know how and tumbled down the cottonwood to a branch right above my head. I put out my hand and he stepped on it - back to the house we went and sadly, no more mailbox trips for him. But oh, the memories he must have....
51
@Nnaiden
Sad. Unless it's cold, why not leave the window open and let him come and go. They have a right to be free.
1
It's a miracle you found and retrieved your sun conure. A parrot owner myself, I can only implore you to clip your PET bird's flight feathers. No, it is not cruel and the bird is much, much safer. It does not need to fly to be happy. Parrots in the wild need to fly. Pets who live in a home or apartment don't and shouldn't. Congrats on the happy ending!
27
@Robin Strong Do Not clip. Let your bird practice flying and landing . The Benefits for your bird are to numerous to list here but if he ever gets out flight can save his life!
19
@Robin Strong
A bird that someone intentionally prevents from flying is a sad thing. Their bodies are made for it. Cruel.
1
@Robin Strong
Trimming a flighted birds wings can be a dangerous proposition. You trim too much, and you know the bird can’t fly, but the bird does not. Many a bird has ended up with broken bones that way.
If you do decide to trim, err on the side of caution. You’re aiming for a downward trajectory, not a flightless bird.
1
Humans and animals have a long history together, long enough so it is probably etched into our genes.
I do often wish that children in the poorer countries of the world had access to even 1/2 as good food, clothing, shelter, and medical care as most house pets in the U.S.
21
Nice story. And maybe a good time to remind people that the illegal trade in wild animals for pets, especially birds, is a huge money maker and has led to the near extinction of some species in places like Brazil and the northern Andes countries (probably Africa and Asia also). Lots of birds smuggled out of their "home" countries die in crates before they ever reach the pet market. If you want a pet bird, check on the reputation of your pet dealer. Many are bred in captivity in a trade regulated to ensure humane treatment of these beautiful animals. Frankie is gorgeous.
51
This story had me almost in tears, what relief at the happy ending!
38
As most have already described, your story had me on the edge of my seat. I love a happy, unexpected, ending.
46
Thank you for this uplifting story! I needed that after reading the front section of the paper.
58
New York and birds. I lived in an apartment with a porch. I used to sit on the porch very still and watch the parakets eating the seeds I left out. They had escaped at the airport. And if you walked around the lake in Central Park and looked up you would see many domestic birds. Even walking down the street if you looked up you would see the escaped birds. I'm a bird person and I loved this exotic New York experience.
23
Two happy endings. First, a young, male cockatiel was lost, frantic, and skinny. But he picked the right house to call outside. After many cockatiels, I knew exactly who was making that call. He swooped straight to my outstretched finger, and quickly recuperated in a warmed cage and bird-enriching food.
My ads for Found Cockatiel brought so many responses, it was amazing. One woman's bird had disappeared 8 years before, but she never gave up hope. Nobody could describe his very distinctive cheek spot, so I started a waitlist for him.
But a shy friend who visited me often, gradually shined up to him more and more. It was a mutual attraction, so. . . . Happy ending!
Years later, I heard not a cockatiel, but clearly some kind of parrot calling outside. Same story--flew right to my finger, recuperated quickly, nobody could identify him. Friends joked that I should put up a sign: "Lost birds come here!"
One day, when my babysitter's father stopped by, the bird flew straight to his shoulder. My sitter quickly moved to remove the bird. But her father grinned and said, "Nope, it's okay." That man and that bird had an instant love affair. The sitter was amazed--she said that her father never liked animals, and was cranky about them. But of course, once the bird was recuperated, the father took him home. And apparently they were inseparable.
Since then, no more lost parrots. A young skunk, a baby possum, a king snake, and many baby mice. They all have happy endings too.
83
40 years ago, we (my daughters) had a bird named "Chirpy." I'm a dog person. One day chirpy, occas. allowed briefly out of her cage, flew out the door and was gone. My chagrin was limited. A week later, a woman two blocks away who we didn't know, called to say she heard we lost a bird and she found it and had it in her house. So Chirpy came home and lived a long or short happy life and I survived too.
14
Thanks so much for sharing this. I am really, really glad this ended in such a happy way. You, Frankie and your husband are very fortunate. And, by the way, a very nicely written piece... a "keeper" as they say. Best wishes to the three of you.
59
Many of us can empathize with the author and her husband's fear and desperation in their search for their airborne friend. Reading this took me back to my childhood in Canada. My sister's budgie flew out the front door and disappeared into a snow-laden mountain ash tree. We were stunned. My father calmly walked out and called the bird, and eventually he flew down and landed in his hair.
I'm glad Frankie is safely home with his family.
53
We have two green cheek conures that I have come to absolutely adore and easily one of my biggest fears is them getting outside. I don't think the climate here in Utah would agree with them. I can appreciate how dreadful it must have been to lose her--and an incredible relief to get her back I'm sure! Thank you for the story.
33
As the mother of two cockatiels and a Senegal Parrot, this was absolutely my worst nightmare --- and the happiest ending I can possibly imagine.
I was lucky -- so far, never had to experience this. But I have my bets hedged. All three of my birds are microchipped, so if they ever end up in a shelter or vet's office as a lost pet, they can always come home. It's relatively inexpensive, it quick, it's safe. Do it, you won't regret it.
33
This piece is so beautifully written and very heartwarming. Thank you!
51
Brought back memories of my startled Cockatiel escaping out our opened door. I searched for hours, shouting Speckles, scouring the jungle behind my home (and getting covered in ticks in the process). When I finally found him (via his chirping relies of course) high up in a pine tree in the woods, he too couldn't figure out how to come down! So close, yet so far. When I came back later with some food and water to tempt him, he was gone.
A few months later, and a mile away, my mom saw him on a powerline -- shiny coat, looking good. It turned out he was thriving in the wild, a homeowner with a birdfeeder nearby told her he was always there to partake, chasing off other birds and enjoying the bird feeders and baths of warm central Florida! Don't know how long he survived, but however long he did, he lived...
41
@Yaya
Best outcome.
2
I'm quite amazed that you could find your bird again in N Y City. You were very devoted to finding her and I'm glad that you did. In another house I had neighbors several streets over who had a large green parrot. They also had an aunt, about 90, and beginning to be confused and slow. She would let the parrot out by accident. It flew to our house very directly. Walking would have been more of a distance due to street configuration. My son was friends with their son so I recognized the parrot. I called; they came to get it. This happened many times over the years. It would get out, fly over to our house and wait for them. The funny thing is that Aunt Aggie also let the dog out, often at the same time as the parrot-double escapees. The dog would come over to our house , agree to come in the gate , and we'd all wait together.
153
Glad you were reunited with Frankie. My Rabbit Dortmund tries to dash out the front door every time I open it. He's only managed to get about three feet past the door (into the apartment hallway) before I've scooped him back up. But I can understand and sympathize with your fear of loosing your pet.
11
I meant to say
So glad the story has happy ending. Otherwise, I would have gone to bed feeling very sad. Thank you. Wish you and your husband many many more happy years together with Frankie.
35
Twenty some years ago when our eldest child was three and our second was a toddler we were sitting with our my wife's sister's family in our living room with the windows open when an apricot cheeked love bird landed on our window sill. Having had a lot of experience catching critters as a boy I told everyone to speak softly and not to make any sudden movements. This was not necessarily going to go well as the assemblage included three kids under seven and a skeptical 11 year old. I walked softly to the kitchen and came back with a bowlful of shelled walnuts. I placed one walnut on the sill and a few more on a table just below the window. I then closed all the other windows in the room and the doors as well. Moving gently. The kids' faces lit up with questions but I held up my hand. Just watch, I said. The eleven year old said, "This will never work." But the little parrot hopped toward the sill and took the first walnut. Then it came in and took the second. I moved closer to the window, careful not to move directly toward the bird. Once the sash was within reach I was able to close it behind the lovebird which then took wing and flew around the room, settling on the back of a chair. "Wowwee Daddy" my elder daughter exclaimed, "what's going to fly in next?"
54
So glad the story has happy ending. Otherwise, I would have gone to bed feeling very sad. Thank you. Wish you and your husband many many more happy years together.
11
May I recommend "The Parrots of Telegraph Hill" about a colony of escaped birds in San Francisco.
50
@JimmyMac I'm the author of the book and the subject of the documentary film. They are not actually escaped birds in the sense of escaped pets. The founding members of the flock were all wild caught birds (caught in the wild in South America) and then shipped up here to be sold as pets. At some point some of them got loose and they began to breed.
8
I am glad that Frankie was found and is back home.
Now can we do the same for all the Homeless ?
26
Absolutely amazing.
8
I read this with my heart in my throat! So happy he's home. You guys are incredible.
30
Thanks for the happy ending, I wasn’t sure I could handle a sad ending
27
Our cockatiel flew out the front door in the middle of December. We thought for sure she was gone. Two weeks later a person in our subdivision posted an ad in our community leaflet saying she had found a cockatoo sitting on a snowy shrub outside her house. A pleasant surprise.
32
What a darling bird! So glad you found her and love your shirt.
13
My god. We’re Frankie my little bird, I would be terrified. I was on the edge of my seat, hanging on every word, until the very end. So glad Frankie Cale home to her family.
12
"Her tail came out in his hand." Ouch, sounds painful!
6
I know why the caged bird sings. Wonderful owners.
12
You've heard of the parrots of Telegraph Hill in San Francisco? Not only have they thrived, but they've bred and one of the coolest things downtown is to watch and hear them screeching their way home to the trees in the Embarcadero every evening. My friends who have apartments high up in a nearby building say a couple come to perch on their balconies in stormy weather. Full of personality.
28
When I worked at Levi’s headquarters, I walked down Sansome at the base of telegraph hill on my way home, as the parrots were also commuting home to the trees up the hill. One of my fondest memories of a magical city
18
@SS
We’ve seen flocks of feral conures in Miami and Buenos Aries as well. They seem to adapt quite well to city life in temperate climates.
2
Birds belong in the sky and not gilded cages. Glad this one escaped a life of imprisonment! Fly high, be free ,my friend.
4
@John Doe, not sure a tropical bird in a temperate climate can survive long. The bird Frankie eventually returned to its "owners" if you read the full story.
27
@John Doe :
if they knew how to survive long term in the wild, how to find food, avoid predators and survive cold winters.....as it is, they have most likely never lived in the wild and have no idea how to do it, even if you could magically take them back to their nations of origin.
Like domestic cats and dogs, it is a fallacy to assume these birds want to live "free" in the wild and could do it.
16
@John Doe
Best to leave wild birds in the wild. But, except for a few very old parrots, the ones you see in the States have been raised in captivity and would be unlikely to survive long in the wild.
Sadly, given the rapid loss of parrot habitat in the wild, the last of many species will be those being raised by hobbyists.
And, I’d have to say I’ve never met a bird keeper who didn’t have an active interest in the environment and the preservation of wild birds.
14
My cockatiel also ran away and up three streets and forty feet in a tree. I called him and he wanted to come down, it started raining. I ran two blocks back to my house and asked a neighbor to watch him in the tree. Came back with two guys and a extension ladder and his cage. We took the cage up, he flew right to it, and lived happily ever after (overly supervised) until he was 24.
53
Thank you Emily. Best story this month! I had a budgie, Sydney, growing up. He escaped a few times. I'd wondered if mom pulled a goldfish, but reading your story ... maybe Sydney really did come back. Two months ago one of our two cats (indoor/outdoor), Mungo, didn't return. Toronto has lots of foxes, so we're thinking Mungo wasn't as Luckie as Frankie. But super happy to hear the good news.
5
I went birding for the first time last weekend and this story confirms my impression: birders are some of the most wonderful people ever. Thank you for a terrific read!
25
I found a Cockatiel once & brought it home. It was very tame; hated the cage & wanted to be with me all of the time - including while cooking and eating. Terrorized my poor corgi. Never found the owner, but did find someone who already had a cockatiel & was willing to take the bird. The bird lived happily ever after, with its' new partner.
34
The sister Monk Parrot colonies of Austin salute you from their historic moontower roosts. Ours enjoy rock concerts along town lake as well as the best views in town.
17
Alls well that ends well. Good to hear, Emily. She's such a pretty parrot. You should turn this experience into a children's book, 'Frankie's Big Day!'
What happened to Friday the cockatiel though? Hope he's okay.
31
Wow. I can't believe they got him.
13
After his ordeal Frankie is justifiably red faced.
14
Phew! Safe!
8
What a wonderful uplifting story. Much needed in all the negative news today. Thank you.
33
I am so happy you got Frankie back. And thank you for this story. Reading it was a very welcome couple of minutes in my day.
45
Great story! And so happy it had a joyful ending.
20
So very happy for you and your lovely feathered family member.
This raised my spirits.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
19
I love your story. Families should never be separated. Good for you guys!
22
There are colonies of monk parrots through out the five boroughs. The largest populations are in Brooklyn, but upper Manhattan has a lot along the Hudson. under the Westside Highway — not the best digs, but if he hadn't made it home, maybe he could have wound up with them. They're very loud making them easy to find.
7
Oh, man. I needed some good news. Glad you were reunited. Thanks for sharing.
57
Miracles happen every day.....great story.
32
Awesome thanks for the smile!
22
Never, never, never give up.
Thanks for writing this story for NYT.
Refreshed!
48
Good piece of writing! And really glad you found that bird -- glad for you and her.
35
Twice I saw a parakeet pecking away at food along with a circle of pigeons in Washington Square Park. Tried to entice it away but no luck. I hope it's happy with its new family.
4
So happy this had a happy ending.
17
My rescued monk parakeet is upstairs repeating in a tiny voice "It's time to go to bed!"
44
I'm a sucker for birds stories. I've been blessed by wild and domesticated birds befriending me and I have never known why- I just enjoy the spendid interaction.
We had an older gentleman come in quite upset, he had no cell service and one of his birds he uses as part of his street theatre here in Charleston had flown off his shoulder.
Luckily I was able to track down a series of good souls from the gals at Harris Teeter on East Bay who found the lost pet, to the CPD who transported him to a Vet over the Ashley, and finally back home to Georgetown!
17
This is the most terrifying thing I ever read, and Trump is president. Life did not give me a husband or children, it gave me a bird -- My parrot Harry. 29 years, we have been together. I would die if anything like that happened to him. I am so glad you got Frankie. Yes, people love dogs and cats, but being a bird owner means the bird is your heart. It's a different kind of interaction since these birds need the attention a mother would give a toddler, from the moment they wake until the moment they go to bed. I am so happy for you, and understand your terror, and why you would have climbed up that tree and suffered the effects of barbed wire to get to her. Bless you.
197
@Barbara Steinberg
My old blue front’s been with me for over twenty years. His previous owner died and he wound up in a neighborhood pet store near where I once lived in Memphis. He yelled “Help” when we walked away from his cage— what are you going to do?
The fight with the ex to keep him was never in doubt— he was a woman’s bird. Over the years we’ve grown closer and he’s grown sweeter, and a bit rattier looking as have I. A few years ago, we drove across country together to move to my home state of California. By the end of the trip he was just coolly staring out the window enjoying the view.
But, even if you’re married, as all people who keep a parrot (and their mates) know, if it comes down to a choice...? The bird wins, don’t even ask. It’s a special relationship.
Thankfully my husband (a real animal lover) and bird get along well. But he’s a woman’s bird. :)
18
@Chickpea Thanks for writing in. You are absolutely right. "It's either the bird or me." Don't waste your time. You know where the door is.
My husband is an animal lover, too. I'm lucky!
Harry is a red-lored amazon. :-)
13
OHHHHH thank god!! Loved your story and your writing!
24
Birda ( Al-Birda Hunter ) an African gray parrot escaped on a hot summer day through an open screen door .
I walked the neighborhood all afternoon calling out “ Here Birda Birda”.
He was usually loose in the house and around dusk would made a specific “ woooo” sound like it was his bedtime . He’d go into his cage by himself and I’d cover it to protect from light and drafts.
So come sundown I went outside and walked the neighborhood and sure enough heard him calling . He was in a giant pine tree but came down when he saw/ heard me and walked home on my arm .
He had a great vocabulary and I miss him . Someone once commented he was the only nonhuman talker in the house .
Glad her sweet bird is back and that she rescued the cockatiel as well .
Good job!
54
Oh the angst of seeing your beloved bird in flight with no assurance of her return and the joy of miraculously shoving her in your shirt...I know it well. I lost my beloved cockatiel 3 times...got her back every time. So good to hear your friend is home.
25
what an amazing story-- i am in tears-- please dontblet her
fly away again--you got very very lucky
12
He's a sun conure. Gorgeous and very loud.
8
Good story. Love the author's last name.
11
I was sad when, as a child, my pet turtle suddenly died. Later I had a dog and then another. The love we exchange with our pets, whether feathered or not, is truly remarkable and I am SO glad your Frankie is back with you!
22
I couldn't even read the story properly, I kept skipping paragraphs to see what happened in the end. When my heart rate is back to normal I'll give it another try.
30
I’m so glad you found her!
8
Great story but I think your “parrot “ is actually a beautiful sun conure.
4
@Melodie Yes, Frankie is a sun conure, but all conures are parrots.
3
It’s funny how lost animals and animals in need often tend to find people who are likely to help them. Can they sense it? Frankie and his feathered housemate found a welcoming birder, in the middle of the city. And I, a lifelong dog rescuer, find lost dogs far more often than is likely to happen by chance. I have even had lost dogs come to my front door and scratch to get in. I’ve have several wandering canines dig under the fence to get into my yard, or just sit and wait at the front gate. Cat lovers are constantly finding cats. Dolphins and whales that are entangled find divers and boaties who are anxious to cut them free. I think it’s a beautiful thing.
I was visiting a stable last year, and a miniature horse I didn’t know came up to me and made it clear — by opening her mouth wide and shaking her head — that something was bothering her mouth and throat. I investigated, and pulled out a long, blonde hair that she had partially swallowed. You’ve never seen a happier horse. Friends for life.
64
@Passion for Peaches, I think that's true - somehow animals know who to trust. My dad was one - dogs, cats, birds of all kinds, even squirrels would follow him home or just show up at my parents' apartment and gravitate to my dad.
Then he'd nurse them if they were injured or frail, and feed them - and he'd have a friend for life. In his later years, there was a motley bunch of birds that would perch on his bedroom windowsill in the morning and call to him - they became his alarm clock!
When he became ill, the tone of their calls changed - they became softer and actually sounded worried. When he was hospitalized, my mom left food for dad's birds - but they weren't interested. They wanted Dad.
Dad died in the hospital - and somehow, the birds seemed to know. One morning shortly after his death, they all gathered on the terrace quietly for a little while - then flew away and never returned.
23
@doy1, PS: Dad's birds were of different species and sizes, but seemed to stick together and all stayed in the city throughout the year. Perhaps this is an urban adaptation? I wish we had photos.
7
Thank You for this happy ending!!!!!!!!!!!!
10
I liked this article very much.
7
a children's book for sure.
adventures and returning home.
fab
13
If you hadn’t found Frankie I would have flown from Florida to NY in February to help you and your husband find her. I am so glad she’s back. Spoil her good so she doesn’t take off again.
23
Great story! My 32 year boy’s arthritis has made his wings stop working. He still thinks he can fly, which is hard since he is happier up high. Parrots make bad pets, too loud, bite real hard and make a huge mess. But I still love him.
16
Please do whatever you can so there is not a third time.
3
i love how the author's last name is relevant to the story. and that she found Frankie!!!!
7
Aaaah. A billion blessings!
9
How appropriate that the writer's last name is...Flitter! So glad your lovely parrot was found.
3
My children's father passed away. We three moved to Florida, and to help with the hurt my younger son got a cockatiel which used to go to school with him. One morning we woke to see that the cage the cockatiel slept in, which was in our back yard along a canal, had been broken open and his beloved bird was gone. I can still see, in my minds eye, the fresh pain from a new loss on my son's face.
8
This is maybe one the best things I've ever read in the New York Times and it's such a simple, heartfelt and human story. Might just be the bonkers world we live in, but those last lines moved me to tears. Thank you and give Petey a pat for me.
58
I have a happy story too! Our family cockatiel flew off my shoulder and out the door on a blustery day. I put the word out through all the social media sites I could find in our village and 24 hours later a local bar called me to tell us that my bird had flown in their window and was waiting for me!
I have a sad story too! That same bird once again flew off my shoulder a year later. This time, even though I had spread the news, he was not found.
Birds are banded with code numbers. But, there is no centralized registry of those birds. So, if you want to find a lost bird, there is no centralized option. There is just social media, signs and calling all the veterinarians in the neighborhood. Finding a lost pet bird is the exception, most birds are not found. They perish in the cold or find themselves a different home. Even well-meaning people have very little way of matching a missing bird to their owner. The birds all look somewhat similar so even the most experienced owner has a hard time discerning if the bird belongs to them. We miss our bird. If there had been a registry, I would still have some hope. Otherwise, I guess I will be happy to read of other bird reunions.
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I had been reading other more “newsy” stories and was starting to feel depressed. The lovely photo and headline of this article caught my attention- I was gripped! What an antidote (albeit brief) to the very disheartening path this country seems to be taking these days. Thanks for the happy ending and the reminder that there is always hope.
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My 91 year old mother still occasionally tells the story of how her beloved black tuxedo kitten disappeared when she was 9, never to be found.
So happy Frankie is back home.
She's gorgeous.
19
The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill is a *wonderful* absolutely wonderful book and movie.
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Wow, what a great story!! I'm glad you were reunited. Pretty, lucky bird.
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We lost Petey, our timbrado canary. My heart hurts to this day. You're very lucky! I'm glad you're reunited, and kudos on you're determination. Sometimes accidents happen, so if anyone chides you, pay them little attention. You're a true bird lover, and Frankie and Friday are lucky to have landed you.
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@Mary Shelly, no one is “chiding” her, Mary. Just offering sound advice. The bird’s wings should haven been clipped, and it should be transported in a sturdy carrier. She should definitely NOT “pay (the advice givers) little attention.” Good grief! Why say that about people who are trying to be helpful?
5
In my opinion, if your bird is not going to fly outside, you should clip its primary flight feathers up to the secondaries. This will leave enough feathers for the bird to "float" down from a high perch. In clipping its feathers, you will keep your bird from escaping again and you will limit the potential for harm in your home from striking windows or walls.
I have had two birds and I have come to believe that birds should not be caged and should be free - birds should not be pets. I understand the author did not purchase either of her bird and has done well to take care of two rescues. However, if we are to have captive-bred birds, we must care for them and keep them from escaping. They have no skills to succeed in the outside world. For every wild parrot surviving in a flock across this country, imagine how many didn't survive...
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@el, I stopped keeping birds after coming to the same conclusion. I would rather watch wild birds than keep one in a cage. Even the pet parrots I see that that are loved and well cared for break my heart. They seem so bored and desperate for company. Who wants to sit in a perch all day?
13
@Passion for Peaches A good parrot parent would NEVER let their bird sit in a cage all day. That would be downright cruel. People who own parrots just because they talk (many parrots DON'T talk) or because the birds are pretty are totally misguided.
I work from home, and my little conure is out of his very nice, spacious cage from morning till nighttime. Right now, he's perched atop my laptop screen.
7
The headline made me so anxious for Frankie that I had to skip to the end. What a relief to read she was found. So happy that little beauty got reunited with her family.
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@NessaVa
Same. We pet owners feel a sense of fright and anxiety at the thought of losing our beloved companions.
21
My family had the same situation happen, with multiple parrots just...arriving. Currently the owners of two cockatiels!
This was a wonderful addition to my daily news diet. Thanks!
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@Blake
My first quick read of your post was... "They were a wonderful addition to my diet." Definitely read the other comments more slowly afterwards.
4
Omg. Sitting in a bar after work waiting for my husband and reading this story - brought tears to my eyes. Never give up, even for a parrot. Love this story.
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@Nancy altman
Never give up for ANY sentient being! This includes a chicken, turkey, cow, duck, piglet, goat, sheep...
26
Reminded me of my deep love for, my now, deceased conure, Rainbow. My heart was pounding reading this terrifying story. Thank goodness Frankie is home safe.
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@Leslie Dee Thank you for this very fine piece. We also have a Conure named Rainbow (funny thing), a peach faced Conure. She is our early warning system. She has different screeches for cats, squirrels, the UPS and FedEx trucks and my wife's car. She can hear my wife's car at least a block away. When she screeches, our dogs go wild in different ways depending on the type of screech, especially if they know if it is a cat or my wife's car. Although our Rainbow is often a pain in the butt, I am her favorite person. What are you going to do. It is scary to think that Conures live for 35 years.
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@pajarosinalas, and now is a good time to state that conures are exceedingly, painfully loud screechers and that they are not for everyone.
8
What a relief to read something that’s good news. Thank you! So happy for Frankie.
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I am so glad you found her (and Friday).
A marvelous story of persistance.
30
My youngest son had cocketiel when in junior high school. As with most pets 'owned' by young teenagers, the parent oftentimes becomes the caregiver. That bird soiled many shoulders of my suits in the morning and would squawk with delight when we came into the house. Unfortunately, one day while out of his cage in my son's room, he snipped a hole in the screen window and flew off. Living in the Houston area, he might have had a chance but we never knew if another family befriended him or if he became a free bird in the wild.
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@JimG
Exercised his free will. Good for him.
1
This reads like a thriller. Great story!
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Years ago I was cleaning our cockatiel's cage when the bottom suddenly came undone. At the same time one of my kids opened the sliding door that led to the back yard, and zip! Out went Jet. He flew into a nearby tree and immediately broken into wild whistling and chirping. He was a rescue bird and not the most social critter, so he clung to his cage and never wanted to come out. (Putting a hand in to pet him or encourage him to hop on only resulted in very painful nips.) Apparently his first home was not kind.
We were heartbroken and felt sure he was doomed to be eaten or would fly away where we'd never see him again. We stood in the backyard calling and whistling to no avail. He'd chirp back but as the sun went down the whistles came further and further apart, and then at dusk he fell completely silent. Our dinner that night was a quiet one and my children were in tears when they went to bed.
Early the next morning I was out in the garden when I heard a familiar whistle. I whistled back (first 4 notes of Beethoven's 5th)-he whistled it in return. We called back and forth, and then lo and behold he fluttered down from this huge Douglas Fir tree and landed on my shoulder. I slowly walked into the house with him nestled on my upper arm and returned him to his cage, where upon he promptly bit me again. My kids were overjoyed.
We've had him now well over 20 years and have no idea how old he really is. The trust he showed that day still amazes me and is a family legend.
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@Sasquatch
Your whistling the first four notes of Beethoven's 'Fifth' brought to mind the time I took my cat from our home in the country to a veterinarian in a nearby city some 25 miles distant.
Afterward, as I was carrying my 'Shadow' to the car, in one of those less-than-formidable cardboard carrying cases for cats, the bottom fell out---and off went Shadow into a thicket of bramble and wood at the back of the vet's property. Unable to see into it, much less walk into it, I called and called, but Shadow did not answer.
So I drove him. Twenty-five miles. Half-sick that I had lost my dear little friend, and half-hopeful that I knew a certain trick to get him back.
That evening, some six hours later, I returned to the veterinarian's office, now closed, and walked to the back of the property. I then pulled a can of cat food out of my pocket and---with the same Pavlovian effect as some might derive by whistling Beethoven---I click! click! clicked! the tab on the top of the can.
And as any cat owner can tell you, cats will come running at the sound---Shadow being no exception.
29
Your little conure is just adorable and I'm so happy you found him. I have worked for parrot rescue and education for many years. I know it is a natural impulse to allow our pet birds to fly.
Flying is an absolutely necessary thing for a parrot who lives in the wild. But as long as breeders keep making more babies and selling them in the domestic market, one needs education about parrots kept indoors. Flying looks so beautiful! But the home is not the wild. There are many dangers for a bird with wings in a home the least of which is escaping. I have seen so many disasters with our flier friends. If one is going bring one of these cuties home please do your research on why domesticated parrots should be clipped. If nothing else google it.
34
Love stores with a happy ending. Please don't let it happen again.
19
Thank God this story had a happy ending! I have a small Senegal parrot that flew into the neighbor’s yard once so I am extremely careful not to repeat the experience.
20
Frankie! Thank you for this beautiful story.
30
Lovely. Frankie surely appreciates your love and persistence.
32
A rare happy ending for a loose bird story. Very glad for you.
61
No-one wants to lose a beloved family member who makes every day brighter.
72
So glad you found her! Thank you for recsuing her twice and for saving Friday - so few would
44
How fiercely I loved sharing life with a cockatiel! Nestling my ear to wake me...jumping onto my head when I showered... flying freely through the house and shrieking excitedly to see me through the window coming home! Ten years gone now but still she is flying near me in dreams, both understanding each other.
257
I free fly my macaw parrots here in San Francisco and the Bay Area. When I started doing this one of my birds was chased by crows. I searched everywhere 3 days. Gave up. Then got a call from someone who’d seen my post on Craigslist. 20 miles from home. Reunited. I love these stories
Thank you
175
So glad you found her. Lucky humans, lucky Frankie. x
22
I am somewhat surprised (and very pleased) that there are no mean comments here. I'm very happy for Frankie and her friends.
52
As an owner of bird-pets ---- terrifying story; but you beat the odds twice. Go Frankie.
19
Ima parrot owner myself and was holding my breath to the end of your article. I’m so glad you got her back!
27
I needed this. Thank you.
138
I'm glad the story has a happy ending.
To prevent a recurrence I suggest that before her next visit to the big bad outside world Frankie should consider getting a more secure carrier.
5
Heartwarming. xxxxx
18
Thank God you found her!
7
The Italian pro cyclist Michele Scarponi had a pet parrot which flew along beside him on training rides. It was also called Frankie. Michele very sadly was killed in an accident a couple of years ago. Don't know what happened to that Frankie.
14
@Don Macrae I had to check after reading your post.. Cycling Today had a sad picture of Frankie perching on a sign near where Scarponi died. He belongs to a neighbor and is allowed to fly free, but he is obviously missing his exercise partner. A very sad story all around.
5
I'm so happy you were reunited.
6
Great tale of the bird who fluttered away but came back to Flitter!!
11
@Bill Yes, the author's name being Flitter is almost comically appropriate!
3
Congrats on your persistence!
I’m glad you got your parrot back!
7
Sun conures are smart, and she wanted to go home with you. Thank heaven all ended well, though the journey to heights unknown can unsettle all concerned.
7
I was parot sitting in Chelsea when the bird flew out of our window. Fortunately he had a tag with our phone number so when he flew into a window in the Chelsea Hotel the tennant called us and we were able to get him back. We made sure our screens were fixed in place. Phew.
20
I raised lots of parakeets, back in the 1980s and 1990s. Learned to clip feathers to limit their flying. It’s for their own safety.
I’m glad this story had a happy ending, but I was sickened by this:”Her tail came out in his hand.” Poor bird.
Please purchase a proper carrier for your birds! You cannot take chances with these exotic pets in a busy city like New York.
15
Lost my cockatiel Wayne twice, only got him back once. Wish I had had the brains to clip his flight feathers. All subsequent birds have been clipped, no escapees since. Glad for you, it’s been 25 years, I still miss him.
53
Best story all year. We're so happy to experience a happy ending.
143
What aa adventure. So happy that you were able to get Frankie back safe and sound-What a beautiful bird she used,
4
Clip her secondary wing feathers! Good heavens, that story almost made my heart stop.
64
@ZoProf clipping does NOT prevent flight!!! I know from 1st hand experience
5
Ahh, best story ever. So glad it has a happy ending.
22
This is the perfect story with the perfect ending. Just what I needed today - thank you for sharing it with all of us.
49
@BirdLover agree! Such a sweet tale with a happy ending. Perfect! <3
7
What a wonderful bird story said the man who was once the proud father of an orange canary.
19
Oh, thank goodness! I wasn't expecting a happy ending. I love animals and hate to see the lost pet notices stuck to lamp posts.
118
I started to tear up reading this and thinking about your baby lost in Manhattan. I'm so glad you and Frankie were reunited. Time to get her a kevlar carrying bag.
185
OMG, I have tears in my eyes at this beautiful story! I feel like I did the first time I saw "An Affair to Remember" (the original, not the remake), when I felt I had whiplash from the twists in the tale.
So glad you found your beloved Frankie (and is Friday still a companion?). Am sending this wonderful story to all my friends.
44
amazing, I've lost and found birds but never found my beautiful Zooey after he disappeared. so happy for you
16
Great story, thank goodness you got her back. Loved the writing!
151
I love a happy ending! So glad Frankie came back to you.
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