Rogue bird companion is ruffling pensioner's feathers
A ROGUE parrot has brought misery to the home life of an Exeter pensioner after she bought it from the back of a van.
The malevolent bird was described by the woman selling it as a baby parrot that was tame, talking, very friendly and playful.
It turned out to be not at all tame, couldn't talk, was very unfriendly, not a bit playful — and it wasn't a parrot.
Kathleen Foster, 61, of Heavitree, paid £165 for the pleasure of its company.
On arrival in Mrs Foster's neat and tidy sheltered home the bird, which she called Alfie and turned out to be a parakeet, escaped its cage, flew about in a rage and bit the unfortunate pensioner on the finger.
When Alfie, who is all green with a blood-red beak, was finally caught and put back in his cage he stalked about with a baleful eye, squawking and looking for a way out.
An unhappy Mrs Foster said: "It's horrible. It's like a wild thing. I wanted a parrot for company and I got this. It doesn't talk at all."
Mrs Foster, who admitted to knowing little about birds and nothing about parrots, had answered an advert that gave a mobile phone number, and a woman arrived with a van full of birds.
She said: "I thought at first that these aren't parrots, but then my heart ruled my head because I am an animal lover and so I chose one which she said was a good talker.
"I paid £165 for the bird and called it Alfie. When I got him inside he seemed very aggressive — you couldn't put your hand in his cage otherwise he'd bite.
"Then he got out of the cage and flew around the lounge. He was not a very pleasant bird at all.
"When I tried to catch him he latched his beak around my finger and bit quite hard.
"I am scared of it. It just stares from the cage and wants to get out. They said it was good with children. I wouldn't let a child near it."
After seeking advice she was told it was probably a ring-necked parakeet and not a parrot at all.
"I have a little dog whose eight and I thought a parrot would be extra company as I am on my own. Now I just want to get rid of it. I don't wish it any harm and would not just give it away to anyone.
"I am going to let a bird sanctuary have it and I am sure they will know how to look after it properly."
Jo Barr, senior spokeswoman for the RSPCA, said: "We would always advise people against taking on any pet simply because they feel sorry for it."
14 Comments
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by Laura, UK
Sunday, September 05 2010, 12:01AM
“the way the pensioner talks about this poor bird is appalling "and i got this"
get a grip women, spending £165 on a species of parrot you don't even recognize. screw loose”
by Marc Fuller, Somerset
Friday, September 03 2010, 10:55AM
“This is a big scam up and down the country. These birds are wild caught from stocks in the UK (there a wild flocks of parakeets living in the UK). They capture these birds, sometimes removing their tails to make them look younger, and then sell them as tame pets. They have been born in the wild (yes, in the UK) and are totally wild animals.
For more information, you can visit Birdline UK Parrot Rescue: http://www.birdline.org.uk”
by Lisa, Dawlish
Thursday, September 02 2010, 9:37PM
“I really cant believe some of the comments people have written. I say this because i too bought 1 of the birds. The advert was in the Exeter Express and Echo and they offered delivery. It wasnt necessarily bought from the back of a van. The lady had approx 7 of them to sell. Mine isnt tame or talking but with a bit of love and care...who knows. Im disappointed she lied but i dont consider myself stupid for buying one, anything you buy from the paper is a risk. The bird is in excellant condition and hasnt bitten anyone as yet. Fingers crossed this lady can be stopped as its not fair on the bird or the future owners. Theres at least another 5 locally. The advert gave the impression there was just 1 bird but i asked her how many she had. I dont regard Mrs Foster as stupid or having no sense, she was someone who wanted company and was too trusting. But then again so was i.”
by Poacher Pat, London
Thursday, September 02 2010, 7:35PM
“I agree - the parakeet should be wringed - by the neck. Best all round. It's probably pining.”
by Poacher Pat, London
Thursday, September 02 2010, 7:31PM
“sorry my comment appeared twice. The first time the website said error (but it wasn't) By the wat Samantha, I like the name alfie.
So, anyone want a budgie called alfie - looks a bit like a greenfinch - only 50 quid!”
by Sally, Kenton
Thursday, September 02 2010, 7:30PM
“Poor Kathleen, a ringneck's bite can be very painful, I know, we have a "tame" ringneck, and even she does know how to bite, HARD!! Unless "Alfie" is ringed, there can be no guarantee that she isn't wild caught, but it would be unfair to just open the window, as if she has been reared in captivity, she probably wouldn't survive in the wild, and even if she was wild, without her flock she wouldn't survive long.”
by Poacher Pat, London
Thursday, September 02 2010, 7:09PM
“Don't listen to Samantha - kisses and cuddles - you'll need stitches in your lips and it will probably have your eye out. £165 for a parakeet - The RSPB estimates there are 50,000 of them living wild here in South London. they are one of the most seen garden birds here. That is why it is trying to escape - it wants to go home. Save everyone a lot of time and effort and open the doors! If it can survive in London it can survive in Exeter. Now, anyone want to buy a canary, lovely singer but looks a bit like a sparrow only £100?”
by poacher pat, London
Thursday, September 02 2010, 7:05PM
“Don't listen to Samantha - kisses and cuddles - you'll need stitches in your lips and it will probably have your eye out. £165 for a parakeet - The RSPB estimates there are 50,000 of them living wild here in South London. they are one of the most seen garden birds here. That is why it is trying to escape - it wants to go home. Save everyone a lot of time and effort and open the doors! If it can survive in London it can survive in Exeter. Now, anyone want to buy a canary, lovely singer but looks a bit like a sparrow only £100?”
by Jonathan, Exeter
Thursday, September 02 2010, 6:21PM
“To quote the report - 'knowing little about birds and nothing about parrots' yet pays £165 for one from a van! Have to agree with the earlier comments and concede the woman's clearly not the sharpest knife in the drawer. The 'sheltered housing' clearly not being a great help!”
by Sue, Plymouth
Thursday, September 02 2010, 5:18PM
“How ignorant is this woman? First of all to buy a beautiful bird as a companion for a dog, secondly to expect it to sit and talk right away, thirdly not to do any research at all before buying it and lastly to buy from the back of a van? Dear gods, that's another poor little life in a santuary through no fault of it's own and through stupidity and ignorance from the so called superior race! You should be ashamed of yourself.”