Date: Fri 04-Jul-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

Romeo-lost-parrot-Caplan

Full Text:

Wherefore Art Thou? Romeo Takes Flight

(with photos)

BY KAAREN VALENTA

Romeo got a taste of freedom last Thursday and led his owner, Leslie Caplan,

and employees of Total Landscaping and Tree Service of Newtown on a three-day

chase through the treetops along West Street.

Mrs Caplan had put the brightly colored 2«-foot tall South American parrot in

a tree in her backyard, as she often did on nice days, believing that since it

had never flown in its lifetime - and certainly not in the six years she owned

it - that it would stay put on its perch.

Then something startled the parrot. Romeo flapped his wings, got lift from a

breeze, and soared into a nearby tree, settling onto a limb about 50 feet from

the ground.

"I called everyone I could think of for help. There was a terrific rainstorm

overnight but nothing I did would coax Romeo down," Mrs Caplan said. "I tried

Newtown Hook & Ladder but the ladder truck needs a repair and wasn't

available. Finally, on Friday, Total Landscaping and Tree Service agreed to

come out."

Mrs Caplan climbed into the truck's "cherry-picker" bucket, holding the

parrot's favorite perch - a well chewed, straight-backed wooden chair - while

Wayne Mead of Total Tree operated the controls to guide the bucket up to the

treetop. Eventually, after much coaxing, Romeo stepped from his branch onto

the back of the chair.

The bucket was lowered and Mrs Caplan began to carry the parrot back to her

house. Romeo, however, had other ideas as soon as he spotted the open lawn

ahead. He flew away again, this time disappearing from sight.

"I put up posters everywhere," Mrs Caplan said. "On Saturday I went for a walk

and finally spotted Romeo much higher up in a different tree four houses down

the road. Fortunately the tree was in a spot accessible with the bucket

loader, and the tree people came back free to help."

This time when she coaxed Romeo down, after giving the parrot a drink of

water, she threw a black sheet over the bird and bundled him up so he couldn't

escape. Romeo won't be flying any more. Mrs Caplan said she intends to get the

bird's wings clipped.