An expensive South American bird has been found sightseeing Muskogee after wandering away from its owner.
The sun conure parrot was found in Civitan Park, resting on a nearby gate.
“A couple of people tried to catch it, and they aggravated it by pulling it by its tail feathers,” said Philip Blair, Muskogee Animal Control supervisor. “When I got here, I tried to catch him and he flew into the tree. He’s not used to the hot weather. He’s probably been sitting in someone’s house. I keep posting on Facebook hoping someone will see him and can come get him.”
After Blair was unable to get the bird down, Muskogee Animal Control Officer Jared Miller and his wife, Tonya Miller, came out to try their luck.
“When we got there it was still about 15 to 20 feet up in the tree,” Jared said. “My wife whistled with food in a metal bowl and the bird flew out of tree to the bowl. We weren’t even there a minute.”
Jared said the bird then rode with the couple all the way back to their home.
“He rode on my shoulder home,” Tonya said. “He’s a sweet bird. He loves to give kisses, he loves to show off. He still scared. He misses home.”
The Millers had an extra cage in their home and placed the bird inside, where he went straight for water.
“I’m going to assume he’s been out for a couple of days,” Miller said. “He was extremely hot, thirsty and hungry. He ate for probably an hour. Birds usually never eat like that. He’s really stressed out.”