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Macaw Still In Tree Might Last A Few Days

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By JOSH THOMAS

News Channel 8

Published: December 8, 2008

TAMPA - A domesticated macaw that flew up a tree and refuses to come down may survive at least two more days without food or water, a local veterinarian says.

Chiquita, a blue and gold macaw, escaped from its owner's Egypt Lake home on Friday and went into a tree on the 2800 block of Lorraine Avenue. Neighbor Tania Regidor has tried for four days to coax the bird down.

"Since it was hand-raised, it really doesn't know how to fend for itself," Regidor said on Monday. "It probably doesn't even know what to eat or what to do."

Veterinarian Teresa Lightfoot said that if the bird has never flown before, it would be frightened of the outdoors. Chiquita is most likely getting dehydrated and losing weight, she said.

Food placed nearby has not coaxed the bird from the tree, Regidor said. She and the owner have also tried calling out to Chiquita and bringing out her brother macaw, Pepito, to encourage the bird to come down.

"It is hard to soothe that kind of bird," Lightfoot said. "This weather is getting colder, so it would be good to get it down in the next day or so.

Tribune reporter Ray Reyes contributed to this report.

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