Frankie's back on his perch after mysterious adventure

Published on Saturday 5 April 2008 11:07

FRANKIE the stolen parrot has been reunited with his owners – after pecking on a neighbour's door.

The exotic bird was taken from his cage during a break-in to Sharon and Dave Finlay's home in Earl Haig Gardens, Trinity, in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

His frantic owners had appealed for his safe return, calling pet shops and animal shelters and even driving around looking for him in nearby streets.

And less than 48 hours after going missing, Frankie was back home safe and sound, after turning up next door.

The green, yellow and grey Senegal parrot, which is just ten months old, was yesterday happily back on his perch and being doted on by his delighted family.

It is not clear what happened to the bird.

"We just don't know what happened," admitted Mrs Finlay. "Whoever broke in here must have opened the cage, and perhaps they were trying to steal him but he bit them so they let him go.

"It's also possible that the bird was making a lot of noise when the thief broke in, and so he opened the cage and threw Frankie out the window to keep him quiet. We'll probably never know, but we're just glad to have him back."

The parrot was bought from a neighbour for just over 500 when he was two months old, and had been hand reared by Mrs Finlay, 49.

Their house was robbed on Wednesday between 5.30am and 7.30am, with the thief also taking a laptop, mobile phone and digital camera.

It was the loss of Frankie that was the most worrying for the couple, and Mr Finlay, 56, a retired construction manager, even found himself climbing scaffolding in Ferry Road after a reported sighting of the bird on Thursday night. While that turned out to be a fruitless search, the family were reunited with their pet just a few hours later.

A nearby resident, who had heard about the break in, was at first curious about the strange sound on his patio window – until he looked down to see the parrot patiently tapping at the door. He quickly realised this must be the missing bird, and immediately took it home.

"Frankie was probably attracted by the people moving around inside and was apparently tapping on the door with his beak," said Mrs Finlay.

"As soon as they opened the door he flew inside. We had been round the neighbours to let them know about the robbery, just to warn them to lock their windows, and this family realised this must be our bird. I'm so grateful to them."

Mrs Finlay also said she would now be getting him chipped, to help make sure he could be found if he ever went missing again.

The talented pet is able to mimic ringing telephones and even call the family dog Star to attention.