A PARROT with a split beak and strange eating habits has been found wandering the streets.

The bedraggled bird was handed in to vets in Darlington, where he bemused them by eating his food upside- down.

The African Grey, named Popeye by staff at Stanhope Park Veterinary Centre, was found to have a split lower beak, and to stop food falling between the gap he has to turn his head upsidedown to swallow.

Although the bird was described as being in a listless state when he arrived on Friday, his condition has since improved.

Tina Wilkin, auxiliary veterinary nurse, said: “In the past couple of days, he’s started having a squawk.

“He’s quite a character.

He’ll climb onto your hand.

He can have a bit of a nibble, but once he gets to know you, he’s all right.”

Lisa Lewis, veterinary nurse at Stanhope Park Veterinary Centre, said: “It’s obvious that he’s been handled.

He just needs some TLC now.”

The vets and the RSPCA are now hoping to reunite Popeye with his owner, or begin the process of rehoming him.

RSPCA inspector Garry Palmer said the bird was found in Prescott Street in a “scrawny” state.

He said: “We need to establish whether the problem with its beak is the result of negligence or just something it was born with.

“If it is just a natural problem, we would like to get it back to its owner as soon as possible.”

If you believe you are the owner of the bird, contact the RSPCA on 0300-1234-999 or Jim Entwistle, at The Northern Echo, on 01325- 505072.