A missing parrot presumed dead has been found alive and well and living on hawthorn berries on the outskirts of Faversham.

Chalky the African grey escaped from his home in Luton Road last July.

Although his devastated owner, 57-year-old Elisabeth Wilkinson, spent months looking for him, putting up posters and informing local veterinary clinics, it seemed he had disappeared into thin air.

Mrs Wilkinson gave up all hope of finding Chalky and her son Lance bought her another African grey, Zazu, to cheer her up.

But she still worried about what happened to her beloved bird.

Then, out of the blue, she got a call from a man who had seen the parrot in a bush near Brenley Corner.

Lance and Mrs Wilkinson’s daughter Sarah went up and soon found Chalky, causing quite a stir.

“We knew it was him because we recognised his whistle,” said Sarah. “He was perched in a bush eating hawthorn berries, looking quite fat.

“He had a few feathers missing from his head but other than that he looked fine. He has obviously learned how to survive in the wild.”

Unfortunately since his escape Chalky seems to have developed a taste for the great outdoors and flew off across the fields before Lance and Sarah could catch him.

“He used to be very tame but I think he must have gone a bit feral since he escaped. But at least we know he has survived the cold weather,” said Sarah.

Mrs Wilkinson is offering a reward for the parrot’s safe return. She said: “Chalky is much-loved and much-missed.

“I have been through a lot in the last eight years including a brain tumour and meningitis and recently I was diagnosed with blood clots on my lungs. It would mean the world to me if we managed to get Chalky back.”

BLOB If you see Chalky please give Mrs Wilkinson a ring on 01795 533892.