Chatty cockatiel found singing in Bolton street

An appeal has been made to reunite a singing parrot with the bird's owner after it was found singing in a street.

The RSPCA said the chatty male cockatiel charmed rescuers when he broke into song as the bird was moved from private accommodation to a foster carer.

The carer has named him Peek-a-boo as the phrase is among his vocabulary.

His best song is If You're Happy and You Know It (Clap Your Hands), which ends with a loud peck on his perch.

The bird was found uninjured near a bench on a road in the Kearsley area of Bolton on 14 November by a member of the public, who contacted the RSPCA for help.

Rescue officer Helen Chapman said: "Peek-a-boo is extremely tame and is a delightful character who has been well looked after and loved by someone, who must have spent a lot of time on him.

"He sings If You're Happy and You Know It and waits for you to clap, as well as a few other songs and phrases."

She added: "His voice sounds like he is mimicking an older woman. It is such a shame that he is in this situation and if he has escaped accidentally then whoever owns him will surely be heartbroken that he is missing."

The charity said cockatiels can prove to be very vocal and are known for mimicking repetitive sounds and noises.

They added it was more common for male cockatiels to speak than females and they can be adept at mimicking and singing.

Peek-a-boo's foster carer, from Stockport, said the bird brightened up their family's Christmas.

She added: "Peek-a-boo is such a happy bird. I keep my own parrot and two budgies in the same room he is living in and I'm surprised that my parrot hasn't started copying him.

"As well as singing, he chirrups 'hello' and 'good boy' and he bangs on his bar as he does, he is so funny."

The RSPCA said the bird had been ringed but the information provided on it had not been sufficient to find its owner.

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