Zoo bird flies the coop

This article was published on philly.c0m on July 24, 2009

Zoo bird flies the coop

By Naomi Nix

Inquirer Staff Writer

Bird watchers, be on the look out.

The Philadelphia Zoo is looking for a bird that flew the coop around noon Wednesday.

The sun conure parrot was permitted to do a free flight during the zoo's daily "Festival of Flight" when it took off and didn't return, according to the Zoo.

The zoo said the bird trainers teach all the birds in the festival to fly to three perches around the zoo.

"Because this was a younger bird and not so familiar with the zoo, we figure he just lost his way," said Bill Larson, director of communications for the zoo.

The bird is mango yellow with a green tail and orange around the eyes.

The bird is five or six months old and comes from northern South America.

It would not be able to adapt in Philadelphia outside of the zoo environment, Larson said.

Sun Conures are about twelve inches long, including the tail, and live an average of 25 to 30 years, according to www.sunconureparrots.com

The Zoo has had other larger and older birds fly away before, but they have always come back, Larson said.

"We want to make sure that people are on the lookout for a bird that really does stick out like a sore thumb," said Larson.

The Zoo is asking anyone who sees the bird to call 215-243-1100.