A PARROT that was swept away from his Rhyl home by a gust of wind and went missing overnight has been found “hungry and shaken” – in a tree about four miles away.

Buddy, a house-trained African Grey parrot, followed his owner Roger Capper into the garden on typical Sunday (March 24) afternoon, as he often does, despite the rainy and windy weather.

However the seven-year-old parrot did not foresee that the strong winds would suddenly hurtle him into the air, over the garden fence and above surrounding houses, when state of confusion ensued.

Mr Capper and his wife, Michelle, immediately ran to the car and started to search surrounding streets, knocking on neighbours' homes, but Buddy was nowhere to be seen.

Mr Capper said: “He went missing at about 3.15pm after he followed me into the garden, which is nothing new, but a gust of wind took him by surprise and took him up and over our back fence and over the houses in the cul-de-sac behind us.

“My wife jumped in the car I followed on foot but could not find him. We searched until late last night knocking on doors, walking the fields streets and caravan sites near us, and put it out all over Facebook.

“We were worried sick and devastated because weather was so bad.”

Little did they know that Buddy had flown over Rhyl and four miles down the coast to take refuge in a tree in Prestatyn.

Rhyl Journal:

Buddy in a tree in Memorial Fields, Prestatyn the morning after he became stranded.

Mr Capper said: “We set our alarm for 5.45am on Monday morning so we could hunt for him as soon as it was getting light. My wife went in one direction with one of our dogs, and I went in another direction with the other dog. Again, we had no luck.

“Then we were arranging with a local printer to make us flyers and posters when we got a message via Facebook that Phase Radio in Prestatyn put an appeal out because there was a parrot in a tree in the Memorial Gardens.

“My wife found their contact number and confirmed they were sat looking at him.

“We rushed there, 4 miles in the car, to find him sat high up in a tree. We cannot believe he survived it."

The couple then called and whistled to Buddy, and he “recognised us immediately and spoke and whistled back,” Mr Capper said.

“He could not be reached but he slowly came down the branches and once felt safe enough too flew the rest of the way and landed on my shoulder.

“He was cold hungry and shaken, but not hurt – he was chatting away to us straight away.

“Once we got him home, he scoffed fresh bread and butter and had lots of drinks. Everyone was so happy.”

Mr Capper added: “We are overwhelmed by everyone’s support in finding him!”