Star cockatoo still missing from Salt Lake City's Tracy Aviary

Hopes have dimmed that Matilda, the escaped red-tailed black cockatoo, will return to Salt Lake City's Tracy Aviary on her own.

Helen Dishaw, the aviary's curator of bird training, said Monday that the 1-year-old bird had been sighted at several locations in the Salt Lake Valley over the weekend — including one report of the cockatoo near 30th South and 9th East, and even across town, near 10th West and 9th South.

"We're not expecting she will come back on her own at this point," Dishaw said. "She has flown too far away" from the aviary grounds at Liberty Park, located at 600 E. and 1300 South.

Matilda took off about 2 p.m. Saturday during a training exercise for an aviary bird show after she was apparently spooked by construction noise. The bird was then harassed by a wild hawk and took refuge in a tree at Liberty Park.

By Sunday morning, Matilda had flown away to parts — if not unknown — then at least covering much of Salt Lake City and its neighboring communities.

"We're just hoping someone will sight her again and we can get her back," Dishaw said Monday.

Anyone who sees the bird is asked to call Dishaw at 585-278-6171 or Tracy Aviary at 801-596-8500.

remims@sltrib.com

Twitter: @remims