Danny Boy the bird reunites with owners

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23698759/

updated 7:08 p.m. CT, Tues., March. 18, 2008

CARPINTERIA, Calif. - A pet macaw named Danny Boy flew the coop in Carpinteria and was found 15 months later some 80 miles away in Pasadena. Greg and Susan Vasilakos, who have moved from Carpinteria to Colorado, learned days ago that Danny Boy has been found. The bird flew away on Dec. 6, 2006, leaving the couple heartbroken.

They listed Danny Boy on an online bird lost-and-found Web site, but didn't hear anything until this month. The macaw was found flying free March 12 in Pasadena and taken to the Pasadena Humane Society.

The bird was then featured on the society Web site and the Vasilakoses were tracked to their new home in Colorado.

Mrs. Vasilakos called the Pasadena shelter and said to put the bird on the phone. The skeptical humane society manager then put the woman on the speaker phone.

It seems Danny Boy waves his foot when asked while offering him a treat.

Danny Boy, who had been "sullen and morose," heard the familiar voice of his owner and perked up, fluffed up his feathers and became animated. He waved his little foot throughout the ensuing conversation.

The Santa Barbara Bird Sanctuary in Summerland is expected to retrieve Danny Boy and arrange for the Vasilakoses to pick him up.

[lonestarnot]

1. Woohoo! Excellent on Danny Boy!

:applause:

[MADem]

2. Gues what? It's not their bird!!!!!!! There's a twist to the story....

http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site206/2008/0321/20080321_012026_MACAW+PC2L3WI_300.jpg

http://www2.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_8645854
PASADENA - In a reunion described as "a regular love connection," an escaped macaw has been reclaimed by its owner from the Pasadena Humane Society.

But, like many a true love story, there was a twist in the tale.

The blue and orange Catalina macaw believed to be Danny Boy from Carpinteria - 80 miles away - turned out to be Sedona from just down the road in Eagle Rock.

"He definitely was the owner, you could tell," society Executive Director Steve McNall said of the man who came for his pet Wednesday night with his two young kids.

The man, who did not want to be named, was building a flight aviary a week or so ago for Sedona and another macaw when Sedona flew the coop, McNall said Thursday. The macaw was found in Glendale and taken to the Pasadena shelter on March 12.

Although a Carpinteria couple who now live in Colorado was sure the bird was their Danny Boy, after viewing the macaw on the Pasadena shelter's Web site, McNall said some things just didn't fit.

The pictures the Vasilakoses e-mailed didn't match the feather or beak coloration, McNall said, and the couple described Danny Boy as easy to handle.

"That macaw was not friendly to anyone - not even myself, the - quote, unquote - 'Bird Man of Pasadena,'" McNall joked.
But when the Eagle Rock man came in, with feathers and photos, McNall said, Sedona's eyes dilated with love.....

[JoDog]

3. Glad the bird's back home

And I hope Danny Boy does turn up. What are the odds that 2 similar, rare birds would run away around the same time in the same area?

[shireen]

4. aren't they supposed to be banded or microchipped?

All pets should be micro-chipped.