Lovesick parrot falls for keeper

13th February 2012, 11:41

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It may be the month when people give each other romantic treats, but a parrot at Longleat is proving he is just as much a lovebird as the rest of us.

Spike, an African grey parrot, has grown so attached to his keeper that he refuses to leave her side and follows her everywhere she goes. 

26-year-old Gemma (pictured) has looked after Spike for the last two years but his species, which can live for up to 70 years, are in fact particularly noted for the deep attachments they form to their owners. 

The bond between the pair is now so deep that Gemma, who got married last year, says she won’t be able to go on holiday again without Spike, also 26. She said:

"I went on my honeymoon last year and realistically that’s probably going to be the last time I will be able to go away for any length of time for the foreseeable future.

“I wouldn’t be happy to leave Spike on his own for more than a day or so and I know how sulky he gets if I’m not around."

Gemma says he has always had a soft spot for her: 

"Pretty much as soon as I was introduced to him for the first time it was obvious that he liked me. He’s quite shy around other people but he really comes alive when he’s with me".

(photo courtesy of BNPS)