$500 reward to bring beloved Belmont bird home

A Belmont woman has a $500 reward on offer for anyone who can find her beloved cockatiel.

Rose Vux has been searching for her pet bird, Gaby, since August 18. Picture: Supplied

A Belmont woman has a $500 reward on offer for anyone who can help bring her beloved pet bird home.

Rose Bux’s pet cockatiel, Gaby, went missing on September 18.

“Gaby is really smart so my guess is that she opened the cage somehow,” Ms Bux said.

The 20-year-old has put up flyers across Geelong in the hope someone will recognise her much-loved pet.

This is the second time Gaby has gone missing after she flew away earlier this year and was found at the Geelong waterfront.

“She flew onto this lovely couple’s balcony who posted about her on Facebook and another lady linked me to that post,” Ms Bux said.

Gaby is grey with red cheeks, dark feet and white parts on her wings.

Gaby is grey, has red cheeks and white parts on her wings. Picture: Supplied

The 20-year-old has two pet cockatiels - Gaby and Michael.

“They’ve even had eggs together … they love to have naps together in the sun,” Ms Bux said.

“Michael doesn’t know how to open the gate so I think that is why he is still around.”

Ms Bux received Gaby in 2017 as a gift from her mum.

“I watched a heap of bird videos on YouTube and decided I wanted one,” she said.

Ms Bux said Gaby responded to “crunchy biscuits”

“If anyone sees Gaby, please get her some biscuits … she especially loves Le Snack crackers,” she said.

“Break the biscuit in front of her … she will fly to you and eat it.”

Ms Bux doesn’t think Gaby will fly back home as she is a very sociable bird, but hopes to be reunited with her soon.

“I believe she is okay,” she said.

“She means a lot to me.

“She used to be an aviary bird so she is used to foraging.”

In August this year, a runaway budgie was found on a ship 2km offshore in Corio Bay.

The ship’s crew were hopeful it would find the pet’s owner.

In 2021, a Whittington woman reunited a pet cockatiel, which has flown more than 200km to Geelong from Morwell, with its owner.

Anyone who sees Gaby should contact Ms Vux on 0413 894 869.

Originally published as $500 reward to bring beloved Belmont bird home