An escaped parrot sparked a town-wide hunt when it went missing from its home in Handforth.
Chris Ward was devastated when Charlie, a Congo African Grey, escaped from his home on Welland Road as his owner opened the door to let his dog Dougie outside.
Chris posted messages on Facebook and put countless posters around Handforth and Wilmslow appealing to everyone to keep an eye out for his beloved pet – which he feared wouldn’t survive long in the wild.
Chris, 24, who lives with his partner Matthew Shorrocks, said: “I was absolutely distraught with worry about him. He has never been out alone before now and I had no idea how long he would be able to safely fend for himself.
“I felt like I lost my child. He’s just like a toddler, he speaks to me and tells me what he wants.
“I was very worried about him as it is very likely other birds, particularly magpies, would take exception to his presence and even attack him.”
But after three nights away, Charlie, who can say his own name and make the sound of an iPhone plugging in to charge up, was found safe and sound by a couple who noticed a grey bird with a bright red tail roosting in the trees behind their Woodford home.
Chef Chris, who was getting up at five each morning to search for Charlie before going to work at John Lewis, at Cheadle Royal, said: “I’m absolutely over the moon.
“His feathers are a little ruffled.
“The couple who found him said he was getting a bit of hassle from the other birds, but he’s fine.
“The couple left some seeds and nuts out for him and he ate the lot – he must have been starving – and they called the animal sanctuary where I had left my details.”
He added: “I would like to say a massive thank you to the couple who found him, and everyone else who helped me search.
“I can actually sleep at night now.”
