THE case of the missing cockatiel has finally been solved after the news hit the headlines following resident, Freda Ireland’s, plea to find its owner.
After Freda contacted the White Horse News, her story hit the national headlines with even the BBC picking up the story. Freda had lost her pet cockatiel one night after opening the front door, where it escaped into the night.
Four weeks later, she was reunited with a bird just like the one she had lost. However, it was not the same one as it would sing ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’, something Freda had not taught it.
After informing the BBC that she wanted to find the bird’s rightful owner, a lady, Dhathri Bollu, phoned her, seeing a picture of the bird.
Then, to Freda’s surprise a film crew turned up at her door from BBC Wiltshire, to report on finding its rightful owner.
“A big van and a white Land Rover turned up full of film crew, just over a little bird” explained Freda. “It’s laughable really, but they said people like nice little stories like this.
“At first, I was a little dubious of the women because it could just be someone who wanted a bird like this as they are hard to come by, but after the lady spoke some phrases that the bird said, that was proof enough really.
“I’m glad I found the right owner because I know how she feels, as I miss my bird so very much. She said that her children were very fond of the bird too.
“My bird, Poppy, unfortunately was found by another lady, who called me to say she had found it by Westbury Football Ground and that it was dead.
“I miss Poppy very much, even though he was a scamp, he seems to be more popular now than when he was alive! If there was ever a piece of wallpaper hanging off the wall, he would go and rip it down. Or, once I had an official letter that needed sending, he chewed it up all down one side, it almost looked like a lace pattern. The person I was sending it to must have thought I had some funny stationary!
“He was always out of the cage so I was always careful about opening the front door as he always followed me around. I feel so silly that I wasn’t careful this time.
“I would very much like another bird, they are very hard to come by so if there are any breeders in the area, please contact me on 01373 865865.”
