FOLSOM, Calif. — Folsom’s newest celebrity is poultry.
Boaz, a 2-year-old golden pheasant, escaped Wednesday from Rick and Mary Clark’s backyard after dogs broke in and chewed through the bird’s cage wiring. The couple lives roughly half of a mile away from the East Bidwell Street and Blue Ravine Road intersection.
Boaz now wanders Folsom, and the Clarks are looking to get him back. Neighborhood group chats on social media are riddled with photos of Boaz and inquiries about where he belongs, and there’s somewhat of a community effort to get him home.
“We’ve been running into so many nice people, you wouldn't believe it,” Rick Clark said. “We’re bringing the community together with this bird.”
Rick Clark said Boaz is friendly, but he doesn’t go up to people.
“He’s cool as long as you don’t, like, chase him,” Rick Clark said. “He’ll let you get near him, but not that close.”
On Sunday, the Clarks received a tip the bird was about a quarter mile away from their house, so they showed up with a net ready to bring him home, the couple said. By the time they arrived, Boaz was reportedly in the yard of a house behind the initial caller. The Clarks said they went around the block and rang the doorbell, but nobody answered.
“I don’t think we’re going to be able to catch him until night,” Rick Clark said. “(He) can’t see well at night.”
Who is Boaz, the golden pheasant?
The Clarks said they adopted Boaz and a female pheasant, Ruth, about two years ago because Rick Clark’s father used to raise birds, and one day he chose to do the same.
The birds are reportedly named after Bible characters. Boaz, the runaway pheasant, is named after Ruth’s husband in the Bible story, which is often associated with loyalty and faithfulness.
The best way to alert the Clarks to Boaz’s whereabouts is by making a post on the Folsom Chat on Facebook, the couple said. Mary Clark also mentioned using NextDoor.
The couple last saw their bird Monday in the Lexington Hills area, just over two miles east from where they live.
“He’s been in some beautiful backyards,” Mary Clark said.
