Flyaway parrots lap up sunshine (From Thisisdorset)

Flyaway parrots lap up sunshine

12:47pm Wednesday 14th June 2006 in

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A PAIR of peach-faced parrots have mysteriously appeared at Littlemoor in Weymouth.

And tropical temperatures mean the birds are enjoying similar climates to their native Africa.

Robin Mann, 40, of Buddleia Close, snapped one of them perched on a property near his home.

He said: "My son Dominic he's 11 said Dad, what sort or birds are green?' and I said parrots' and he said Well we've got two of them flying about in our street.

"We thought it was a bit weird so we took a picture."

Sheila West, of Clivia Close, said: "I first saw them down Louviers Road.

"Originally there were three of them but there only appears to be two now. I see them most days. They come into my garden and use my bird table.

"They did try to nest in my guttering and but were seen off from the sparrows already there.

"They must have escaped from an aviary or something."

Leanne Clements, of the RSPB's Radipole Lake Reserve, said: "They've probably been bred in this country so they're probably used to the cold.

"But the recent hot weather is probably suiting them just fine but I can't imagine them surviving the winter."

Weymouth meteorologist Bob Poots said weather in the town had been tropical'.

The African Love Bird Society said peach-faced love birds sometimes called rose-faced are the most common love birds in captivity. They originate in south west Africa, in and around Namibia and Angola. Lovebirds got their name because it looks like they are constantly cuddling, sitting in pairs, preening each other's feathers. They are one of the few animals that remain monogamous throughout their lives.