Crimson Rosellas, Whalley Range, the three individuals together. Photo: Rob SmallwoodFIRST there was the Indian parakeet that made its home in a Manchester park - now meet the THREE parrots brightening up a suburban garden.

The birds have become minor celebrities in Whalley Range with fans turning up to try to take pictures of them in Stephen Doyle's garden.

Mr Doyle is now launching a search for the parrots' owner because he is certain they must have escaped from someone's private collection.

Mr Doyle, who used to keep parrots himself, has identified the birds as Crimson Rosellas. The parrots have a bright red plumage and are normally found in mountain forests on the east coast of Australia.

He said: "They just appeared one day. They come in at different times every day, have some food that we put out for them, and then go again."

Mr Doyle has been feeding the birds a mixture of peanuts, sunflower seeds and fruit.

Worried that the parrots will not survive the winter he has taken his search online, registering with the website birdforum.net where he has put an appeal out to members to help locate the parrots' owners.

Another of the site's users and a resident of Whalley Range responded confirming that he too has seen the parrots.

Mr Doyle said: "I got home one afternoon and there were two guys in the lane behind my garden with tripods and cameras. It turned out they were from a bird society, taking photos of the parrots."

Amazed by how much interest the parrots have gained from local residents, Mr Doyle says he and his neighbours have even named them.

He said: "They're called Larry, Curly and Moe, after the Three Stooges. All my neighbours love them. We've all been looking out for them, we're all worried that harm is going to come to them.

"I am thinking of catching them, but only to make sure they are safe until their owner is found.

"We all hope that someone will come forward and claim them. I've been doing research most evenings to try and find their owner, but have had no luck so far."

Do you know the parrots' owner, or have you seen an exotic bird in your garden? Call the M.E.N newsdesk on 0161 211 2323