Bird is the word: Birds on the loose in the city

Last week we posted about found parakeets in the neighborhoods of Southie and Dorchester – one with a happy ending.  But now another bird – this time a white parrot in East Boston.

Needless to say, this bird seems very happy and living his best life with that cracker.

This prompted us to do a deep dive into the missing bird phenomenon.  Well, there are lots of birds on the loose that show up all over Boston.

Like this kinda freaky looking lovebird.

A parrot in West Roxbury that someone obviously let in their house and then instantly regretted it.

Yet, another parakeet

And this canary named Bart that was eventually adopted thanks to his beautiful singing.

But seriously, why are so many birds flying the coop? Open windows? In search of a better life where chainlink fences are lined with Ritz crackers?

We discovered most of these missing birds on the City of Boston Animal Control and Care Facebook. You can learn more here including adoption information. 

Here are some bird superstitions from the National Audubon Society:

1. If a bird poops on your head it is a sign of good luck.
2. Don’t become a sailor if you kill an albatross, as superstition states you will get lost at sea (we just think you shouldn’t on principle).
3. It is good luck if a blackbird makes a nest on your house.
4. If you see 5 crows, sickness will follow; see 6 crows and death will follow.
5. To avoid bad luck tip your hat if you see a magpie.
6. Whatever you do to a robin will happen to you, so be nice!
7. It is bad luck to see an owl during the day.
8. A kingfisher is a very lucky bird.
9. Three seagulls flying together, directly overhead, are a warning of death soon to come.
10. Sparrows carry the souls of the dead, it’s unlucky to kill one (again, we think killing any birds is wrong).
11. When a swan lays its head and neck back over its body during the daytime it means a storm is coming.
12. Having a wren around will prevent one from drowning.
13. A bird that flies into a house foretells an important message. However, if the bird dies, or is white, this foretells death.