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Thursday, August 14, 2008, 09:00
What a stroke of luck!
The parrot could hardly have chosen a better spot, although its landing skills left a lot to be desired.
But the uninvited guest's arrival triggered a bizarre evening for Mrs Turner, her husband Stuart, and their young son Alan.
Luckily for the parrot, Mrs Turner's pair of cats were missing while the action unfolded.
And now it's happily munching nuts at the Tawe Veterinary Group, in Sketty Road, where Mrs Turner works. She hopes the African grey's owner will come forward and take it back home.
She described the moment the feathered visitor appeared.
"I was at home in the garden playing with my son Alan when a parrot flew in and hit the wall," said Mrs Turner, of Lan Coed, Winch Wen.
"I thought it was a pigeon, but then I saw it had a red tail.
"It hopped through the garden gate and under the car. It took me and my husband around two hours to get it out.
"It could see our feet from underneath, and it kept walking the other way. Then it went up into one of the wheel arches.
"It was quite stressed, and was growling and spitting.
"Alan, who's nearly two years old, found it quite amazing. He was lying under the car making bird noises. He thought it was great."
Eventually, after two hours the parrot raised the white flag and wandered out, and was enveloped by a towel.
The Turners then borrowed a birdcage from a neighbour and kept it overnight.
"It looked a bit ruffled, but I gave it some food and water, and it was fine," said Mrs Turner, aged 29.
"It's got a ring round its leg, but I don't know how long it had escaped for. It was quite hungry."
She is now appealing for the owner to get in touch with the vets in Sketty.
"They are expensive birds and can be worth up to £450," she said. "It's quite a major thing for someone to lose."
The parrot is faring well but isn't doing much of what its species are famous for - nattering.
"It hasn't done any talking," said Mrs Turner. "It could be because it's nervous because it's somewhere strange. It's sitting there eating and drinking."
If you have lost an African grey phone the Tawe Veterinary Group, on Sketty Road, on 01792 201688.
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