Found cockatiel with orange cheeks near Colchester Castle Park
Description
I found a cockatiel this afternoon around 2:15pm near the Castle Park gates off High Street in Colchester. It's a grey-and-yellow bird, about the size of a small pigeon, with bright orange cheek patches and a pale yellow crest that looks a bit slept-on. There’s a tiny red leg band on its left leg, and a few feathers along the tail are a touch ruffled from the wind. It seemed calm when I approached and hopped up onto a nearby bench, then perched on my shoulder for a moment. I’m keeping it safe here and really hope to reunite it with its owner; if you think this might be yours, message me in the app and we’ll arrange a meetup to return it.
Approximate found location
Pin shows an approximate area, not the exact spot — to protect privacy.
How to safely return this item
A short checklist to protect you and the item during the handoff.
Verify the owner before handing it back
- Ask the claimant for a specific identifying detail before confirming.
- If valuable, ask for a photo with matching ID, receipt, or original packaging.
- Never post the precise location publicly. Share it only with a verified owner.
- Do not accept payment to return it. That is a red flag for a scam claim.
Meet in a safe, public place
- Police stations, café entrances, transport hubs, and shop foyers all work.
- Meet during daylight hours where there is CCTV and foot traffic.
- Avoid private homes, car parks at night, or isolated locations.
Bring someone with you
- Tell a friend or family member where you are meeting and when.
- Share your live location with them during the handoff.
- For high-value items, consider contacting your local police station for advice first.
Keep communication on lostandfound.io
- Use the in-app message thread so there is a record if something goes wrong.
- Do not move to WhatsApp, SMS, or email until you have exchanged a verifying detail.
- Never share bank details, government ID numbers, or copies of your ID.