The Wiltshire couple who take their parrots out and about

David Vickery and his wife Gill, from Calne, began keeping birds more than 40 years ago with just two cockatiels and two budgerigars.

Their flock has since grown to include a variety of parrot species, including African Greys, Macaws, and Cockatoos.

The pair are often seen taking around 10 of the birds out as it gives them "different things to look at" - such as trees, clouds and other birds.

The couple take the parrots out to give them "different things to look at" (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS) The couple, who are part of the charity Problem Parrots, said the number of abandoned birds has increased since the pandemic.

Mr Vickery said once parrots have been reared by humans, they cannot return to the wild as they would not survive.

He said: "Most people see a parrot as a great opportunity and say 'what an unusual pet I will have one of them'.

"They buy one, and then next year when they go on holiday they think 'what do we do with the parrot?'"

He added: "In this country, people hand rear them to make them more human-friendly and they learn that their caregiver is a human.

"They expect their family to be around them all the time.

David Vickery and his wife Gill with some of their parrots (Image: Tom Wren / SWNS) "It is sad news if you buy a parrot and then go to work all day, the parrot gets very stressed and often pulls his own feathers out."

Mr Vickery is against parrots being kept in cages all the time, saying: "They should be free in the wild, but sadly people breed them and hand rear them in this country for the pet trade."

He believes by taking them out on harnesses, it not only provides them with enrichment, but also allows people to see them up close.

"If you go to a zoo they are always either at the back of the cage or in their nest box and people can’t see their beauty," he said.

Mr Vickery said his "dream parrot would be a black palm cockatoo," adding: "I love them all - I am just so passionate about parrots."

Taking the birds out also helps Problem Parrots raise "much needed funds" which go towards vet fees.

Mr Vickery said: "We do not collect on the street but what we do, is ask if people would like to make a donation for the ability to take photos or stroke or even hold a parrot."