A chatty, handsome African grey parrot has been found lost in Hanwell.

The parrot is thought to be one of around ten parrots, budgies and cockatiels missing in the borough.

He was found in a garden near Deans Road, Hanwell, and is currently being looked after by Jackie Amos, in Hayes, who runs the Lost Parrot UK group and has birds of her own.

She said: “A man found him and picked him up and put him in his bedroom. An alert was put out and he was given to me to look after as I have some experience with these birds.

“He’s a handsome chap, friendly and very chatty. He’s been repeating a particular name and a number of other words. So when the owner appears and can tell me exactly what he says I’ll know he belongs to them.

“I’ve had a lot of calls and texts already. These birds are worth quite a lot of money so I’m absolutely not letting him go to someone who might sell him on. I will hang onto him until I’m sure I’ve found his owner. I just want to get him home.

“I’ve put his picture on lots of Facebook groups and on the John Haywood Parrot Society and Parrot Alert.

“I help people find their parrots frequently. In Ealing, within around a 20-mile radius, there’s up to ten parrots missing at the moment.

“A lot turn up in Heathrow Airport multi-storey car parks, attracted by the lights and the shelter."

She added: "When the parrots are out flying in the house, shut all windows and doors. Beaded curtains are good for keeping them from going outside but not a fail safe solution. I know some people who have gone outside with them on their shoulder without realising.

“Unfortunately, crows and gulls usually get them within a few days of them escaping. It is luck of the draw though as some last a few weeks.”

As well has having an apparent abundance of escaped pet parrots London is also known for it’s Indian ring neck parakeets who can be seen in many of the city’s parks.

These parrots are rumoured to be descendants from two released by Jimi Hendrix in the 1960s. Another story has it that some escaped from Elstree studios around the same time. The birds whether from Jimi or Elstree colonised and thrived.