Posted By: Jeremy Ledford
Got a call for a parrot on the loose... - 10/30/14 05:57 PM
So I got a call yesterday with a scarlet macaw parrot on the loose. The bird had been out for two days and wouldn't come home.
Guy says he's 80 ft up in a pine tree, and needs help getting him down. I think, wow, finally something besides a cat up a tree!
Lucky for me, my father owns a tree service. I grab a climber (no bucket truck access) and head that way. The customer swears the bird won't fly, and just hold out your hand and it will come to you. I'm thinking.... the bird won't fly.... but it's 80 ft up a tree after it just flew away. Okay... if you want to pay me....I'll give it the best effort.
Show up on scene to a hawk chasing the parrot around. Police show up not long after because the whole city limits is gathered outside. Police say "I'd shoot that hawk!" Obviously, I look at the police like he's crazy. The hawk finally lets us be, and we climb 4 different trees as this parrot keeps giving us the bird (pun intended ).
We never did catch that rascal. Customer was happy as all get out that we gave it our best shot. Calls like this make me wonder why I don't have a net gun on the truck. Anyone ever used one? Will it pay for itself in the long run?
Guy says he's 80 ft up in a pine tree, and needs help getting him down. I think, wow, finally something besides a cat up a tree!
Lucky for me, my father owns a tree service. I grab a climber (no bucket truck access) and head that way. The customer swears the bird won't fly, and just hold out your hand and it will come to you. I'm thinking.... the bird won't fly.... but it's 80 ft up a tree after it just flew away. Okay... if you want to pay me....I'll give it the best effort.
Show up on scene to a hawk chasing the parrot around. Police show up not long after because the whole city limits is gathered outside. Police say "I'd shoot that hawk!" Obviously, I look at the police like he's crazy. The hawk finally lets us be, and we climb 4 different trees as this parrot keeps giving us the bird (pun intended ).
We never did catch that rascal. Customer was happy as all get out that we gave it our best shot. Calls like this make me wonder why I don't have a net gun on the truck. Anyone ever used one? Will it pay for itself in the long run?