A VALUABLE cockatiel currently guesting in the sanctuary of Paul and Gaby Gander’s aviary, wants to go home.

The owners of Sheppey Aquatics, Sheerness, were handed the feathered flyaway by one of their customers who had found it perched in a tree at the bottom of her garden.

Cockatiels can command prices of up to £100, and now they are hoping its rightful owner will recognise it and claim back their well-loved pet.

Australian-born Gaby said: “It’s a beauty, charming and very lovely and whoever lost it spent a lot of time with it.

“Although there are reports of colonies of cockatiels in other parts of the country, they are not native birds and so they can come under attack from magpies and crows.”

The bird is a talker but sadly its name and address seems not to be in its vocabulary.

If you recognise the bird call the Sheerness Times Guardian newspaper on 01795 580300.