Wind gust sweeps parrot away

A RETIRED Kahutara farmer is offering up a reward of $2000 for the return of a very dear friend.
Greg Arnold's African Grey parrot Mocci was swept away in a huge wind gust early last week and hasn't been seen since.
The wind lifted bird netting installed over a small tree that Mocci and his lady companion Angel play in, and although his wings had been clipped, the parrot achieved enough lift to be blown away.
Mr Arnold said he hoped Mocci ? a shy but very bright bird ? was still alive and would be found and returned safely to him.
A crucial factor in her survival would be if she got access to water.
Mocci has been with Mr Arnold for about a year.
He was bought especially as a mate for Angel, who has been a resident of Kahutara for four years.
Mr Arnold said African Grey parrots are one of the most intelligent ? "if not the most intelligent" ? of all birds.
They are, he said, to the bird kingdom what apes are to the primate world.
African Grey parrots are not noisy and are regarded as outstanding imitators.