Alexandrine parakeets (Psittacula eupatria) in Amsterdam, The NetherlandsIllegal traders could be behind a scam in which bird lovers are duped into buying fake parrots that die days later.
RSPCA Inspectors are set to probe claims that common parakeets are being scared out of trees in London parks and sold as “rare” parrots to unsuspecting buyers.
An expert claims a Cardiff family are the latest victims of a scam where parakeets are plucked from their habitat, driven across the country and sold.
The shock and trauma causes them to die soon after.
Stephen Daley, of Gabalfa, Cardiff, paid £170 for a cage and bird described as an Alexandrine parrot as an early 50th birthday present for wife Sheila after spotting a newspaper advert.
The unnamed bird was delivered last Tuesday, but by Thursday it was dead, devastating Mrs Daley and the couple’s eight-year-old grand-daughter Taylor Mae.
Mr Daley, 50, said: “The chap who delivered him was a Geordie who arrived in a white van. We asked if the parrot talked and he said he did ringtones and mimics the microwave ping.
“I’m not that knowledgeable about parrots but it looked like a parrot. I thought it was a genuine sale.”
Pest control officer Mr Daley was sceptical because the bird seemed quiet, but the dealer assured him it was tired from the journey down the M4 from Swindon.
The trader claimed the bird was seven months old and being sold because its owner was moving into a nursing home and unable to take pets.
Efforts to contact the dealer when the bird died failed – and Mr Daley realised he had been duped. He said: “I’m really angry. I just want to get my hands on this guy.”
And he was furious at the possibility of an organised fraud, saying: “It isn’t a clever scam, it’s a cruel rip- off.”
Expert June Edwards, of the Parrot Care and Rehabilitation Centre in Mid Wales, believes the scam involves selling Ringneck parakeets, found in trees in south-east England, as Alexandrine parrots.
Ringneck parakeets have flourished in the UK after escaping from captivity and there are thought to be up to 65,000 in parks in England.
Ms Edwards said today: “If you can imagine these poor birds being transported around the country – they are terrified wild animals.
“I’ve had at least 10 of these cases and these people always give exactly the same reason for getting rid of the birds.”
Ms Edwards said the bird probably died from the shock of being snatched from its habitat and treated as a domestic pet.
Mr Daley was today due to report the case to the RSPCA and police.
A spokesman for Cardiff council trading standards department said: “People need to be wary when purchasing animals from outside legitimate outlets.”