Man Offers $700 Award To Find Beloved Waukesha Bird

WAUKESHA, WI— Bonito, a cockatiel bird, has been there for its Waukesha owner, Jon Mago, for 15 years. That is until the bird went missing in mid-April after someone accidentally opened the front door.

Mago said Bonito is not the type of bird to fly away and he suspects it became scared by the sound of the door and flew out.

There have been no sightings of Bonito since.

Mago told Patch he owns Bonito and one other bird.

"Bonito was my favorite one. It is part of my everyday life," Mago said.

Bonito was there when Mago woke up in the morning and let him know when to open the cage.

While Mago made breakfast, Bonito rested on his shoulder.

Mago attends Waukesha County Technical College. Bonito was a source of comfort for him. During the stresses of classes and the pandemic Bonito was a bright spot.

The bird was a birthday present. Although Mago was not originally a bird person, the cockatiel grew on him. The bird was there for Mago during his difficult childhood due to family problems.

Having to be responsible and take care of Bonito helped take Mago's mind off his troubles. "You never feel alone with them. Someone is paying attention to you. You just hear chirping all the time," he said.

Mago posted on the Lost and Found Birds in Wisconsin’s Facebook page. He is offering a $700 reward if Bonito is found

The post on Facebook said:

"If anybody has captured, obtained, or has seen a Cockatiel bird fly around Waukesha from mid-April 2021 to present-day, please please contact me asap at 262-309-8151.

"I am gifting a $700 reward. Help me reunite with my baby.

"Please share this with friends and family. I have been taking care of my baby for almost 15 years now and it really hurts not having its presence at home. I haven't stopped looking around town but it gets harder every day. I really need your help. Any tips and information on my baby's whereabouts are greatly appreciated,” the post said.

Mago also provided another phone number, 262-381-5195, if anyone has information or he can be reached through Facebook.