Reward offered for missing Timneh African Grey

AN Ashley resident is offering a R3000 reward for the safe return of her Timneh African Grey, which went missing in August.

Rencia van Wyk, said she was visiting her mom, who lives 300 metres from her home, when her bird, Sam, flew out the back door on Monday, 8 August.

“It was a really windy day and efforts to find him so far have not paid off. We went looking for him in surrounding areas, even following strangers to their homes to try and find him, but still nothing,” said Rencia.

She said she had Sam from the age of six months and he is now seven years old. “These birds are said to come down to people about three days after escaping, looking for food and that is why I am sure he is with someone as it has been four agonising months,” added Rencia.

There are two sub-species of African Greys – a Congo Grey or red tail and a Timneh Grey or maroon tail. The easiest way to distinguish them is by looking at the top bill of the bird. A Congo’s bill is completely black whereas the Timneh’s top bill is flesh coloured (lighter) also a Timneh is darker in colour overall and smaller than a Congo.

“These birds are like toddlers and been proven to have the intelligence of a five-year-old and the attitude of a two-year-old. My concern is that who ever has him just leaves him sitting in a cage with no toys or enrichment whatsoever. They might get tired of him screaming and eventually sell him to someone else, which is my biggest fear,” said Rencia.

Her offer of a R3000 reward stands for any information that will lead to the bird’s safe return. She said she was humbled by the community’s willingness to help and the support that she has been getting from far and wide.

She promises to have Sam micro-chipped the same day he comes home and encourages other pet owners to do the same as it’s cost effective and does not stress the animals at all.

If you have any information about Sam, the Timneh African Grey, contact Rencia on 082 308 1445 or 031 701 7806.