Log inLive lost and found budgie reports from across the UK, plus what to do right now, whether your budgie has flown away, or one has just landed on you.
1 lost budgie reported in the UK recently
3 found budgies reported in the UK recently
An escaped budgie may well panic on their first flight and go further than you expect, then land exhausted - often within a kilometre or two. They will not know how to find food outdoors, which you can use to your advantage: they are likely to be tempted to come down in search of food. Put your bird's cage outside in clear view with their favourite food and fresh water, and leave the door open. If you have other budgies, their calls carry well. Put their cage outside too, somewhere safe, and let them call.
Search at dawn and dusk when budgies are most vocal, and listen for chatter from hedges, gutters, and garden trees. A still budgie is almost invisible, but they rarely stay quiet for long. Tell your neighbours quickly. Most recovered budgies in the UK are not caught by their owners but found by strangers when the hungry bird lands on a shoulder, a washing line, or a garden feeder. Those finders typically hand the bird to a local vet or rescue, so ring every vet practice and rescue within a few miles on day one, then again a few days later, and file your report here so a finder who searches online finds you. The lost bird guide has the full checklist.
If your budgie wears a leg ring, put the number on your report. Rung budgies handed to vets and rescues are traced through that number more often than any other route.
A budgie that approaches you is hungry and may have been out for a day or more. Offer millet or loose seed and water, and move slowly. Many will step onto a finger or arm. Keep it indoors in a box or spare cage away from other animals. Check the legs for a ring and report the bird here with the number if there is one. Even without a ring, a photo and the area you found it in are often enough. Budgie owners check the board for exactly that.
