Family's plea to find lost African grey parrot

Graham, an African grey parrot, flew out of the back door of the family home at Byron Avenue, Hebburn, on Sunday, August 23.

Ashleigh Lackford and daughter Macie, 10, got Graham when he was around three months old and he has been their pet for around a year.

Since his disappearance, a number of people have reported sightings of Graham – but the mum and daughter are yet to be reunited with their beloved pet.

Ashleigh, 32, told the Gazette that Graham will be “raging" with the wet weather as he hates a bath at home.

But it’s hoped that the rain will encourage him to take shelter and seek food from someone, making it easier to track him down.

Ashleigh added: “He's absolutely lush and he loves Macie, but can be a bit funny with strangers.

“He will go to anyone who shouts his name and says hello, he’ll probably say hello back.”

African greys are seen as highly intelligent birds, with an uncanny ability to imitate speech.

A public Facebook group has now been set up to aid the search for Graham, who has a distinctive red undertail, with people being asked to use the hashtag #greygraham to share their sightings.

If you have any information about Graham or have spotted him in South Tyneside, contact Ashleigh on 07800766672.

You can visit the Find Graham Facebook group here.

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