A group of Winnipeggers came up with an elaborate plan to save a budgie's life.

After more a month of trying, they were successful on New Year's Day.

The little bird, now named MacGyver, was first spotted in Southland Park in November. A concerned woman contacted Avian Welfare Canada about what to do.

It turns out the budgie made friends with a group of sparrows that kept flying into Valentino and Shelley Corvino's backyard. The Carvinos saw a post on social media about MacGyver’s plight, and learned how to catch him.

They made a trap, complete with seeds and a heater. The Corvinos then tied a string to pull the cage door shut, in case MacGyver flew in. Finally after weeks of hard work they caught MacGyver.

“We were high fiving. We had a blast with it and it was a great start to the New Year,” said Shelley Corvino.
Avian Welfare Canada is now taking care of the budgie.

"That's a long time to go for a bird, to maintain their body temperature in that cold weather, because they are from Australia, and I had no idea how he was getting moisture and would metabolize snow in a healthy proportion, but obviously he did,” said Melanie Shura of Avian Welfare Canada.

No one knows who its owner is. People posted pictures online, but so far one has come forward.