One of my parakeets got outside, how can I get him to come home?

Question

I haven't seen him since he escaped. Do birds have an internal homing device like dogs and cats? II put my remaining bird in his cage on the porch and he is chirping the chirp that they usually do together, kind of a reciprocal back and forth thing. I'm hoping this will draw him back. If I can't find him, should I replace him? He is one of two males and I'm afraid his buddy will become depressed without the constant company. Is it acceptable to introduce another bird...the remaining bird is just over a year old. If so, does it have to be another parakeet? Could I introduce a canary or a finch to the cage?

Answer 1

I  lost my parakeet once.  well, not really.  Dad decided to let it out for excercise.  We left the cage outside all day, 6 hours later T.J. came home. Jeannie was the female, I left her in the house in a NEW  cage, while we waited for T.J.   I'm happy to say birds are smart, I think maybe the cage T.J. lived in brought him home. I'm not a professional, just and animal lover and the bird came home.

Answer 2

Its good you put the cage out there, when its time to take the other bird in if you have a second cage leave it out there with food and water in it,also take a walk around and look up toward the trees ,see if you can spot him and call him and put your hand out so he will come to you....try bringing binoculars ...

post lost ad in local newspaper,someone else may find him....ive found a few pet birds outside. goodluck

Answer 3

My cockatiel flew outside a few years ago.  I went around my apartment complex and called him over and over.  I put the cage outside with his food and stuff in case he saw it.  However, I kept walking around and calling him the way I always do.  I was almost ready to give up but I went to an area with a big tree and called again and then I heard him call back.  As I kept calling, he finally flew down from the tree and held on to the trunk just within my reach and I grabbed him.  

So I would recommend that you put the other bird out in the cage and if you can, walk around with that bird in the cage calling for him.  You can also call if you often do that.  I think you will have more luck by combining the cage, the other bird, and yourself calling to him.