A curious sight met Revd Jane Parry and Church Verger Co Tod last Sunday morning as they opened the church for the early morning service. Outside the gates of the church porch stood a large cage covered with heavy curtains, and inside the cage there was a grey cockatiel.
The bird had obviously been well cared for and there was plenty of food and water in the cage but no evidence of where it came from or why it had been left outside the church.
Revd Jane Parry said "The bird joined the early service and was duly reverent and quiet. However, the excitement of the main morning service led to much singing and calling from our visitor and the cage was eventually taken to the vicarage.
"Our new feathered friend had seemingly enjoyed watching television and preferred serious news to comedy or children's programmes... calling frequently for attention and company like a little child!"
The RSPCA came on Monday afternoon to take the cockatiel to their home in Warrington.
"I have heard of babies being abandoned at church doors but never caged birds – it certainly is a first.' commented the vicar. "It is good to know that whoever left it here with us trusted that we would take care of it and ensure its safety, which we did. But how sad that someone felt that they had to leave it here in the first place, it certainly looked a well cared for and beloved pet."
Any enquiries about the bird can be made through the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.
