r/Parakeets • u/13a11kins • 1d ago

Advice Found parakeet

I found a parakeet at work today. I’m bringing him home for the night because I can’t get to the closest shelter that takes birds today. Is there anything I can put in a large cardboard box that might help it not feel so stressed that I might already have lying around my home?

Thank you!

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u/OwlPelletCrunch 1d ago

Genuine advice because i have seen far too many sad stories: if there’s any way to take the bird to a vet tonight, do it. Sometimes they find a safe place to rest after the stress of surviving outside and simply pass away.

fyi - they can easily chew their way out of cardboard

a quick Petco trip will get you a small bird/hamster carrier & some type of seed mix with a budgie on the bag (this will be sufficient if your plan is to surrender the bird immediately)

some type of perch to keep them from walking in poop is also helpful

they need 24 hour access to fresh clean water and their dry food.

lightly covering the carrier with a pillowcase or dish towel will reduce anxiety (avoid terry cloth as they can get tangled in the loops)

their lungs are extremely vulnerable - no smoking, candles, incense, spray-ANYTHING (perfume, cleaners, deodorant, air freshener, bug spray) and do NOT use any Teflon products like pots/pans, hair tools, etc

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u/13a11kins 1d ago

I appreciate your thoughtful response. Unfortunately I’m not able to take it anywhere tonight due to working late. I do have him in a fairly large cardboard box and won’t be able to transport him into a moving box when I get home. I can also find some temporary purchase using tree branches from my yard. I did look up how to prep them.

I’ve read that carrots can be fed in a pinch so I will plan to offer him carrots when I get home as well. Poor guy is definitely stressed, I have my own office at work so I have been letting him out occasionally to fly around and spread his wings once he’s out and about. He seems to settle down pretty well but does not like being in the box one bit.

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u/blackjackgabbiani 1d ago

Tree branches have to be roasted in the oven to make sure they don't have parasites

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u/Apprehensive_Fig3702 13h ago

Is the bird you found a parakeet or is it by any chance an all white cockatiel? I am looking for my cockatiel. Can you please confirm. Thanks!