Vadodara Missing African Grey Parrot: ₹1 Lakh Reward for “Laddu”

A delivery at the door. A cage gate that should have stayed shut. After a few seconds, a young grey parrot had flown away.

This is what happened to a Vadodara family when they lost Laddu, a six-month-old Congo African grey parrot. His owner has since offered ₹1 lakh to anyone who can help bring him home. The story has spread across Gujarat and on social media. So, here is what we know, put together from several news reports.

The Key Facts at a Glance

Detail	What reports say
Bird	Laddu (also spelt Laddo), Congo African grey parrot
Age	About six months
Owner	Jessica Parekh, 35, a former teacher
Area	Sevasi, Vadodara, Gujarat
Went missing	Saturday evening, 31 October 2026
Reward	₹1 lakh
Status (as of 4 Nov)	Not found yet

How Laddu Got Out

The Times of India reports that Jessica was feeding Laddu when a delivery worker came to the home, a sixth-floor flat in Sevasi. She opened the main door. Laddu opened the gate of his cage and flew straight out of the door.

She called out his name. He flew off and settled on a tree in a nearby farm. After that, the family lost track of him. The Indian Express added that he slipped out of his cage and flew through the main door on Saturday evening.

The Search So Far

Jessica has tried just about everything. Reports describe a search that has filled her days:

• On foot, with a loudspeaker. She told TOI she has been walking around the area for hours a day, shouting his name.
• Help from officials. She contacted the forest department and rescue groups. The Indian Express reported that the forest department said it would help catch him if she can spot him.
• Neighbours and locals. She asked people nearby to keep watch.
• Social media. By the fourth day, she was putting out appeals online with his photo.
• The reward. She then announced ₹1 lakh for anyone who helps find him.

The poster shows a bird with grey feathers, a black beak and a bright red tail. It calls him her "only child" and "a precious member of the family."

Not Every Call Has Helped

The reward has brought in numerous calls. Not all of them are kind. Both TOI and The Indian Express reported that some callers offered to sell her other parrots instead. TOI said some offered two African greys for ₹1 lakh.

Her answer, as the Indian Express put it, has stayed the same: she only wants her "child" back.

There was some consolation, too. Other bird parents told her their parrots had come back even after eight or ten days.

A Licensed Bird

One detail stands out. Jessica told TOI that she holds a licence to keep Laddu. She said he wears a ring on his foot with the licence number on it. If he is found, that ring could help confirm his identity.

African greys are exotic birds in India, and owners often have to go through a lot of paperwork. If you are unsure which birds you can keep, see our guide to legal pet birds you can own in India.

Takeaway: What Bird Owners Can Learn

Laddu's story reminds us how quickly a bird can escape. A few simple habits at home can reduce the risk:

1. Close the cage before opening the main door. Deliveries and visitors are a common moment of risk.
2. Check cage latches. Clever parrots can learn to open simple gates. Secure them with a clip or a lock.
3. Keep proof of identity ready. A leg ring, clear photos and any licence papers help establish ownership.
4. Act in the first hours. Look in nearby trees, call the bird's name and play familiar sounds.
5. Tell the forest department and rescue groups early. They can help if the bird is spotted.
6. Be careful with callers. Big rewards can attract people who want money, not to help.

Stress after a scare can also affect a parrot's behaviour. Once a bird is back home, our guide on why parrots pluck their feathers will help you know what signs to look for.

If you see a young grey parrot with a red tail in or around Sevasi, please alert local rescue groups or the forest department. Laddu's family is still waiting.