Chatty cockatiel found singing in Bolton street reunited with owner

A chirpy cockatiel who cannot stop singing has reunited with his owner and the "love of his life", the family dog, after vanishing in stormy weather.

Ernie disappeared from home in Great Lever, Bolton, in a storm in November and was found nearly four miles away.

The bird was spotted singing on a bench in Kearsley and had been cared for by the RSPCA.

Owner Alison Roberts said: "It's an absolute miracle we've got him back as I thought we wouldn't see him again."

Ernie the parrot's first reaction upon returning home was to shower the family's dog, Lottie, with love as they had struck a long-standing, deep friendship.

Ms Roberts added: "It was so upsetting when he went. Now he's back with the love of his life, Lottie."

Over Christmas and the new year, he was cared for by one of the RSPCA's foster carers, who captured the parrot singing his favourite song - If You're Happy and You Know It (Clap Your Hands).

Ms Roberts spotted Ernie on social media and the animal charity was able to reunite her with her beloved bird.

Ernie was equally delighted to be reunited with his best friend, the family dog, Ms Roberts said.

"As soon as he saw her he reacted. I let him out of his cage and he was sitting on her back and riding around."

Ernie finishes his songs by pecking his perch

"It was like old times as we're used to him just following her around everywhere.

"On the night we lost him, Lottie was in the kitchen waiting to go out for a wee and I didn't see Ernie was on her back as the dog was underneath the table.

"I was calling for him in the nights, in the days after in the hope he'd fly back in."

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She said when she saw the social media video, she knew it was him "straight away".

She added: "I've bought a new cage for him as I was so upset when he disappeared that I got rid of his old one - I couldn't bear to have it in the lounge as it was so heart-breaking."

"He's such a loving and attentive bird. He comes out of his cage at night and we spend time interacting with him and treating him as one of the family."

"I can't thank the RSPCA enough for getting him back to me and the person who found him," Ms Roberts said.

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