Missing parrot Pi, who became the squawk of seaside town, reunited with bird-mad owner after week-long adventure
A BELOVED pet parrot, who became the squawk of Sidmouth when he went missing, has been returned to his relieved owner a week after vanishing.
Pensioner Gordon Down feared the worst when Pi the African Grey disappeared and was “over the moon” to be reunited with his feathered friend.
The six-year-old bird was blown away from the garden of his home in High Street by a freak gust of wind – and ended up gatecrashing a family’s beach barbecue half a mile along the seafront.
Gordon had sleepless nights worrying about his pet, while Pi was actually staying just yards up the road.
The tame parrot landed next to a perplexed Sam Taylor and his family near the Ham, and immediately hopped onto his hand.
Dad-of-two Sam, 25, who lives above East Devon Associates, took the bird in hoping to find his owner. He was so impressed with Pi he now want to buy a parrot of his own.
Gordon was inundated with messages of support from well-wishers and customers at his shop, the aptly named Feathers, after the Herald reported how he had been left heartbroken.
“It was a terrible week – I couldn’t think of anything else,” he said. “Knowing how soppy Pi is, I thought he would never manage on his own.”
Gordon got the call he was hoping for exactly a week to the day and time that Pi disappeared on Saturday.
“They said he just came in off the sea and landed beside them. He was none the worse for wear and I was over the moon.
“Within five minutes he was ringing his bell – you’d have never thought he’d been away. So many came into the shop saying they were concerned. They were stopping me in the street.”
Gordon thanked the Herald for telling the tale last week.
He was not the only one delighted to see Pi – so were Boston terrier Jake and cockatoo Fred. The trio are great pals and enjoy the run of Gordon’s garden.
“They were moping all week, but are OK now,” added Gordon.
Bird-mad Gordon was left heartbroken after his feathered friend vanished without a trace.
He appealed to fellow Sidmouth residents to help find Pi – who he calls his best pal – and told the Herald days after he went missing: “I’ve looked everywhere and informed the vets, police and pet shops. I can’t do much more than that, except just hope for the best.
“He is usually out there and has his wings clipped, so it is not a problem. He would never wander off. I just saw the wind take him up into the air and off he went.
“He’s lovely, he’s my best friend and with me all the time. It has left me subdued and so are Fred and Jake. I just want to know he is OK. There are so many seagulls and crows about.
“The dog has been looking for him all the time and the cockatoo is very quiet.
“My mother died recently and it was her funeral last week – then the bird went missing.
“It has been a rotten week. I am upset, the animals are like people to me. I get more upset over animals than people.”
If you can help find him, call Gordon on 01395 516802 or the Herald on 01392 888501 – or email stefan.gordon@archant.co.uk.
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