This is no dead parrot

5:12pm Monday 20th August 2001

A SCREECHING parrot has been rudely awakening an Orpington resident from her slumbers every morning for the last three weeks.

The pesky green bird sits just outside her bedroom window and squawks for all he is worth.

Julie Gibbons, 34, of Stanton Close, said: “He can hold his own with the magpies.

“He hangs out each morning in a hollow tree eating the bark.”

She added: “When he's around none of the other birds will land on the tree.”

Although the parrot is not friendly with our native birds it has been seen with a group of green parakeets by Julie's neighbour.

According to RSPB spokesman John Day, ring necked parakeets have been successfully breeding in this part of Kent since the 1970s.

Julie Gibbons describes her tropical early riser as having a yellowish-green front, a red tail and bright orange feet and beak.

“By the description of this parrot it sounds like it could be an Amazon Green and is most likely to be an escaped pet from the local area,” said Mr Day.

If you have lost a parrot that matches the description then call the newsdesk on 01689 885717.

*Are you rudely awoken in the morning? We want to know if anything unusual starts your day.

E-mail your stories to:

jhigginson@london.newsquest.co.uk or telephone 01689 885717