Pepa's Story

My first encounter with "Pepa" was from a family on Dawes Ave.,October 27th, 2006, stating they have a green bird hanging out at their bird feeders. When I arrived at the location the green bird, now known as a Quaker parrot, was frightened of me and I couldn't coax him to me nor could I find the owners at the moment. He flew off once the sun began to set. The same home owner contacted me the following day reporting the return of the parrot but it had vanished by the time I arrived. Two weeks later more reports started rolling in about a green parrot hanging out in the Cathedral and St. Pat's area. By this time I discovered the parrots identity. A Quaker parrot, "Pepa", had escaped from his home on September 24th, 2006. His owners were just unwinding from their honeymoon and were in the middle of moving into their new home from Tinley Park, Illinois. "Pepa's" owner was getting ready to clip his wings but not soon enough. He escaped!!!

"Pepa's" owners posted a lost ad in the local Herald Newspaper, which most of the sighting reports came from. I spent many hours walking the reported areas looking for "Pepa", spreading the word to keep a look out and keep their bird feeders full!!!

The day before Christmas Eve, Vonnie's mother contacted me from Tinley Park, Illinois. Begging me to help reunite her daughter with her beloved feathered one. Stating that all her daughter wanted for Christmas was her Quaker parrot "Pepa" back home. Sadly, a Christmas reunion was not to be. The entire month of January passed by and no green parrot sightings came in.

On Thursday, February 8th, 2007 (over four months later & four miles from "Pepa's" home), a call came in from a homeowner, Jerry Aseman, on Oneida Ave,. He stated that he had a green parrot in his house. That a hawk swooped down on the green bird and started to fly off with it. Luckily Jerry bolted out the door and startled the hawk causing it to release "Pepa". Jerry rushed "Pepa" to be treated by Dr. Joyce Etsinger at the "Animal Medical Clinic" on Larkin Ave. I immediately contacted "Pepa's" family, they couldn't believe such a miracle could have happened. "Pepa" lost a few toe's and had to receive antibiotics due to the punctures from the hawk, but "Pepa" looks like he will be around to enjoy Christmas "2007" with his family. Thanks to the Herald Newspaper lost and found section and many thanks to all those caring families around the Cathedral and St. Pat's area who kept their feeders full and their eyes open for the little lost green Quaker parrot named, "Pepa".