Hockessin man offers reward for lost parrot

If you happen to spot a gray parrot flying around this time of year in Delaware, you're not imagining things.

That bird, an African gray parrot named Paka, might just belong to Peter B. Kaplan, a Hockessin resident and well-known photographer. Paka, Swahili for cat, went missing Sunday and his owner would like him back.

"Paka never had his cage doors closed and if I had to leave for classes or doctors' appointment when I came back he would still be on his cage," Kaplan said. "His main cage was in my office, eight feet from [my] desk and he would talk most of the day and my friends and clients could hear him and of course get a kick out of it."

The African gray is one of the more popular parrots kept by the aviculturist, according to PetEducation.com. Their bird's pale head and gray body is offset by their red tail feathers. African grays can mimic not only human voices, but environmental sounds.

Average cost for this bird is $1,000 to $1,500, according to the website.

Kaplan said he got Paka after his other African gray, Kasuku, died – a pet he had for 37 years.

"I didn't want to get another bird since it hurt so much losing him," he said. "But after living alone for over a year, I really felt I needed another bird."

Paka took flight Sunday – a warm day Kaplan didn't want to spend indoors.

"I decided since it was a fairly warm day to take a walk with Paka on my shoulder, since I thought his wings were clipped, which I did a short period before," Kaplan said.

After about 30 minutes, the pair were returning home when Kaplan stopped to move an item on the front stoop. As the 75-year-old bent over to rotate the item, Paka flew off.

"I saw his gray wings and red tail go around the garage," Kaplan said. "I ran down to find him and he was nowhere. I looked up and down the street."

Neighbors have been helping Kaplan search for Paka, who was spotted on top of an 80-foot pine tree. The bird, however, flew away as firefighters tried to retrieve it from its perch. Kaplan said the bird flew into nearby woods with firefighters running after it "with super-bright flashlights looking for him."

Firefighters eventually stopped the search and Kaplan said he returned home.

Kaplan said he has gone out looking for the bird "yelling and whistling" and has started passing out fliers in hopes someone finds Paka.

If anyone sees Paka contact Kaplan at (302) 234-6600. There is a reward.

Contact Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299, eparra@delawareonline.com or Twitter @eparra3.