Found a Pet Bird in Saskatoon? Who to Call and Do Next

Spotting a parrot, cockatiel, or budgie sitting on a fence in your Saskatoon backyard is a strange kind of emergency — the bird looks calm, maybe even friendly, but every hour it stays outside raises the risk of a hawk, a cold snap, or it simply flying further from home. If you've just found a pet bird in Saskatoon, here's what actually helps, in the order it helps.

First: Confirm It's a Pet, Not Wildlife

Saskatchewan has native songbirds, waterfowl, and raptors, but pet-type birds — parrots, cockatiels, budgies, lovebirds, canaries, and macaws — are never wild in this region. If you're looking at a brightly coloured, tame-looking bird with a domesticated silhouette (thick curved beak, stocky body, unusual colouring), it almost certainly escaped from someone's home. If instead you've found an injured or orphaned wild bird — a robin, sparrow, owl, or duck — that's a different situation entirely, and our wildlife guide will point you to the right rehabbers.

Step 1: Don't Chase It

Escaped pet birds are frightened, disoriented, and often haven't flown more than short distances before. Chasing sends them higher and farther, sometimes into traffic or a neighbour's yard where they're much harder to spot again. Instead:

• - Stay still and speak in a calm, quiet voice.
• - If it's low enough, offer a hand or a perch (a broom handle works) at bird height — many tame birds are trained to step up.
• - Have millet, seed, or slices of fruit ready nearby; food and a familiar cage sound can lure a hungry bird down far better than a chase ever will.
• - If it lands high in a tree, resist the urge to shake branches. Contact-calling (see below) is far more effective than physical disturbance.

Step 2: Try to Contain It Safely

If the bird comes down or lands somewhere reachable, a slow, calm approach with a towel or by letting it step onto your hand works better than grabbing. Once contained, put it in a covered box or cage in a quiet, warm room — no direct sun, no drafts, and away from household pets. Offer water and a simple seed mix or some fruit while you sort out next steps.

Step 3: Report It Immediately — Don't Wait