A MOTHER got a surprise when a cockatiel flew in through the kitchen window one afternoon and landed on her husband’s shoulder.

The couple are now appealing to News Shopper readers to trace the owner of the bird, which says ‘good morning’ and ‘clever girl’.

Karen Kelly, 38, noticed the chirpy creature wolf-whistling away on her washing line at her home in Homefield Rise, Orpington, on May 13.

She borrowed a bird cage and only expected to keep it a couple of days, but more than two weeks later, the cockatiel appears to have made itself at home.

Mrs Kelly, who is a gardener, has put up signs in shops about the missing bird, but so far no-one has come forward.

The mum-of-two said: “It’s quite happy and makes a lot of noise.

“It’s gone a little bit bald and has lost a couple of feathers.

“But it’s definitely tame as it takes food out of your hand. Someone has obviously put in a lot of time teaching the bird.

“I only brought it in because I didn’t think it would survive outside.”

A spokesman for the RSPB said it would not be unusual for a cockatiel to fly into someone’s house.

He said: “This is a tame bird used to going in and out of houses. It would have sought somewhere like this rather than a hedge.

“They can fly quite a distance so it may not be from the immediate vicinity.”

Are you the cockatiel owner? Call the newsroom on 01689 885711.