Giving a gift to someone who is leaving the country - A surprise bird in a box!?

hollisterbay

Ok so I'm organizing a leaving party for a close friend of mine. She is moving to USA.

I want to do something really special and I had this idea of possibly at the party giving her a box - which she would then open and basically a bird of some sort would basically fly out...and be free.

Is something like this possible? And if so, do you have any tips or ideas or someone/somewhere I could go for information on how to carry this out?

Or does anybody else have a unique idea?

misscomickat

I feel sorry for a bird stuck in a box...

misscomickat

As for something you could give her, obviously nothing heavy or big. Maybe you could order something to be delivered to her new address in the states? What about a photo collage of your friends/her family/happy memories?

SugarSpun

If you let a bird out indoors it will panic, poop over everything, and more than likely have a heart attack from fear.

If you let a tame bird out outdoors, it'll get eaten by something within a couple of hours.

If you do it with a wild bird ... how are you going to catch a wild bird?

I'd suggest an "essentials" delivery to her new place in the US. Or a USB key full of pictures.

bestpud

You don't really mean a live bird, do you? :eek:

Surely not? That would be cruel!

brightonman123

I dont think Customs will allow a live brd through..

how about a overseas phonecard, digital camera, or personalised journal?

becs

Hi,

I've seen it done with doves at weddings. I guess they're like pigeons in that they're trained to fly home! I think as long as it's done by someone who knows how to handle the bird etc and has the right "box" for it I cant see why it wouldn't be humane. No different to racing pigeons.

Becs

Sagz_2

A helium filled ballon may be a little more acceptable than a live bird.

bestpud

becs wrote: »

Hi,

I've seen it done with doves at weddings. I guess they're like pigeons in that they're trained to fly home! I think as long as it's done by someone who knows how to handle the bird etc and has the right "box" for it I cant see why it wouldn't be humane. No different to racing pigeons.

Becs

I guess so.

But I can't help feeling trapping a bird in a box and taking it to a party, before letting it go amidst a crowd of (possibly quite merry) people is somewhat cruel.

Doesn't sit well with me at all.

sammiboo

I worked at a wild bird sanctuary for 10 years and i dont agree with this at all.

As suggested a balloon would be a better idea.

pinkladymel

I think if I opened a box and a bird flew out I would have a heart attack never mind the bird!