Drawn to gleaming beer cans and a lively gathering,a sociable pet parrot was miraculously discovered safe after vanishing six days earlier and traveling 31 kilometers from her home in southeast Queensland.The owners,Freya Erlandsson and Jack Tomkins,had been devastated when Ivy,an Alexandrine parrot,chewed free from her aviary just before a fierce storm slammed Gympie last Monday."Our birds are like children to us—life feels empty without them,"Ms.Erlandsson shared."With the torrential rain and howling winds,I was certain Ivy couldn't survive.I wept endlessly."Days of frantic searches and social media appeals on Facebook followed,with hope fading until a joyous reunion unfolded thanks to online communities.

The pampered bird had braved predators,relentless downpours,lightning strikes,a scorching heatwave,and cyclonic gusts that toppled trees and cut power across countless households.She soared over bushlands,cattle pastures,and macadamia and mango farms to reach Coondoo,nestled near the storm-ravaged Toolara State Forest and Great Sandy National Park.On Saturday afternoon,Ivy gatecrashed a 50-guest celebration at Maree Ussher's farm."She flew right onto a friend's shoulder,perched there,and immediately tried sipping from his beer can,"Ms.Ussher recalled.Guests offered water and bird-friendly snacks."Ivy made herself at home—everyone adored her playful,people-loving nature."

This wasn't Ivy's first party escapade.Three years ago,Ms.Erlandsson adopted her after the sociable escapee interrupted a retirement village happy hour,swiping wine and crackers.A vet scan linked her microchip to a defunct rescue group,and when efforts to locate her original owners failed,Ivy helped mend the couple's hearts after they lost another cherished bird,Ollie.Though Ms.Erlandsson wasn't in the Facebook groups where Ms.Ussher posted Ivy's photos,a flood of 10–20 strangers quickly alerted her.Stunned,she drove to unfamiliar Coondoo."How could she fly so far?"Ms.Erlandsson wondered."The route is all dense forests and farmland."

After a night safe in a caravan,Ivy vanished again by Sunday morning."It seemed hopeless—I called out but heard nothing,"Ms.Erlandsson said.Dejected and heading home,she got a call from Ms.Ussher,who lured Ivy back with a shiny beer can and Jatz crackers,securing her indoors."The drive was pure exhilaration and disbelief,"Ms.Erlandsson exclaimed.When ABC Rural spoke to her,Ivy whistled cheerful greetings.Grateful,Ms.Erlandsson thanked Ms.Ussher and all who aided the reunion,as Ivy happily rejoined her feathered family.