Runaway Cockatiel’s Incredible Journey: Found in a Humane Society CEO’s Backyard
When Tiffany Neikart’s cockatiel, Picasso, flew out an open door, Tiffany never imagined her pet would end up nearly seven miles away—in the backyard of Tanya Hilgendorf, the local humane society’s CEO.
Picasso, a 5-year-old cinnamon pearl cockatiel, escaped from Tiffany’s home in Ypsilanti, Michigan, during a typical moment. While Tiffany let one of her dogs outside, something startled Picasso, and she took flight. “She had never been outside before, and I’d worked hard to teach her to come back,” Tiffany recalled, her worry evident. Despite her training, Picasso circled the yard, calling out but not landing.
As the days passed, Tiffany’s hope began to fade. She combed the neighborhood, played bird sounds to lure Picasso back, and put up flyers everywhere. By the fourth day, she felt crushed and even ordered a tombstone, convinced her little bird was lost forever. “I kept thinking, how could she survive out there?” she reflected, knowing the dangers a small bird would face.
Then, on the fifth day, everything changed. Hilgendorf returned home from work, startled by an unusual noise coming from her bird feeder. “I knew immediately she must be someone’s escaped pet,” Hilgendorf shared. Without hesitation, she took photos and posted them on the Nextdoor app. A quick check of the humane society’s Lost and Found page revealed Picasso’s picture at the top.
When Tiffany heard the news, she raced to Hilgendorf’s home, heart pounding with a mix of hope and fear. “What if she’s gone when I get there?” she fretted as she drove. Thankfully, when she arrived, Picasso was still there, perched nearby.
Using Picasso’s favorite treat—millet—and some clever tricks, Tiffany coaxed her back. With her husband playing familiar bird sounds, Picasso fluttered down and landed on Tiffany’s shoulder, bringing an overwhelming sense of relief. “It’s been crazy,” she said, joy spilling over. “I never imagined she would come back.”
Since her return, Picasso has laid three eggs, a surprising twist for Tiffany. “I wonder what she experienced out there,” Tiffany mused. “Did she find a nest? Where did she get food and water?” Once a pampered indoor bird, Picasso now seemed to have tapped into a more wild side.
Tiffany, who had even taught Picasso to use a tablet to request treats, felt their bond deepen. “She’s always been unique and special,” Tiffany said, her face lighting up. “I just wish we had a camera to capture her adventures.”
Picasso’s escape and eventual reunion beautifully illustrate the fragile yet resilient nature of our pets, reminding us of the unbreakable bonds we share and the incredible lengths we’ll go to bring them home.
