A flap in Shropshire as Diva escapes . . . and blows kisses
Meet Diva – the macaw that escaped, sat in a tree and blew kisses at passers-by.
The bird made a flap for it and headed for the nearest tree.
Diva then spent the morning saying hello to startled neighbours as well as her trademark kisses.
She was coaxed down and is now back in the safe hands of the Egan family, who have looked after the three-year-old since April.
Pam Egan, 47, said Diva and her 10-year-old daughter Annabelle were in the garden of their Shropshire home when the macaw suddenly flew off.
Mrs Egan said: "She was outside with my daughter. They often go out for some fresh air and to play in the garden.
"Something must have frightened her because she then went up to the top of the house and stopped there.
"She did a sweep down the valley and up to an oak tree and because it was dark she roosted there and slept for the night.
"At 5.30am the next morning she started squawking and saying hello and the neighbours could see this parrot in the tree and they rang the police."
Mrs Egan, of Valley View, Market Drayton, rang everybody she could think of to get help – fire services, bird charities and cherry picker companies – but no one was able to help.
She finally got hold of AJB Contracting Ltd in Market Drayton, who managed to coax Diva to a lower branch following a second night on the loose. Diva then flew to Annabelle, who took her home.
Mrs Egan said: "It was quite a community effort. It was quite amazing for her to come back to my daughter but they have bonded so well even though we have only had her since April."
