A rare green parrot, which is believed to be an orange-winged Amazon, was found sheltering under a bush in the back garden of a house in Knightsbridge Gardens, in the West Park area of Hartlepool.
Where's your Polly gone? Mail, February 6It was originally thought the bird, which is worth hundreds of pounds, belonged to somebody in the area but it has since emerged that it could be one of several similar birds living wild that have been regularly spotted in Ward Jackson Park.
Several readers have contacted the Mail over the past few days claiming they have spotted up to half a dozen similar birds nesting in the popular park, and RSPCA officers have promised to try and visit the area to ensure the parrots are safe and well.
The parrot that sparked the story remains in the care of staff at the RSPCA centre in Great Ayton.
Bev Johnson, a cattery and small animal supervisor with the RSPCA, said: "The bird is still here and as of yet nobody has come forward to say it belongs to them.
"We haven't received any reports of parrots in the park, but we will send out a team to investigate.
"These type of birds are usually house pets because they usually live in warmer climates and if other birds, such as crows, spotted them then they would kill them because they look different.
"The bird that we have is in pretty good condition and very hungry."
The parrot is not displaying a ring or any other form of identification, so the RSPCA has no way of tracing the owners of the bird.
The centre will look after the bird for the next five days, and if nobody comes forward to claim it then the RSPCA will search to find a suitable home for the parrot.
If anyone believes they own the parrot they should contact the RSPCA's Great Ayton Animal Centre, with proof of ownership, on (0300) 1230743.
