A 17-year-old African Grey parrot, called Buddy Boy, has gone missing from his home in New Hedges.

His distraught owners, Alysson Williams and sons Aarron, 15, and Reuben, 13, of Lodge Farm Cottage, have been out day and night in all weathers calling for him, helped by friends and others who have seen the posters put up.

He got out on Monday, October 29, when a visitor to their home opened his cage for a better look and then left the front door open while Alysson was out buying bread.

Buddy Boy, who has a red tail and could live to 80, has been hand-reared from a chick and is a much-loved member of the family. He is a wonderful character - he loves talking, wolf-whistling and mimicking other people's voices.

Poignantly, Buddy Boy still repeats phrases said by Alysson's late father, Gwyn Williams, of Lodge Farm, such as 'Sshhh, the racing is on!'

A local breeder and expert on African Greys says an escaped grey parrot will very often seek out the company of pigeons which are a similar colour (apart from the red tail!) and will fly around and roost with them.

They have been known to survive this way in the wild in Britain for a year or more and can travel some distance locally.

One grey parrot lost from Templeton was eventually recovered in Haverfordwest.

Alysson and her sons ask that everyone keeps a sharp lookout for Buddy Boy.

"If on his own he may be taking shelter in a barn, garage, outhouse or hedge where he won't be mobbed by other birds. If he's joined up with a flock of pigeons, he could be flying around with them. Please look and call for him and if you see a grey pigeon with a red tail then ring me, because it will be Buddy Boy!"

Alysson can be contacted on 07799786821, while Aarron's mobile is 07920006046.