The missing macaws

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ZOOKEEPERS were last night (Wednesday) searching north London for two missing parrots.

As the New Journal went to press an appeal was sent out by London Zoo to look out for the blue-throated macaws, Margot and Lily.

Residents in NW1 – close to the attraction in Regent’s Park – have been asked to particularly keep an eye out.

The exotic birds were stretching their wings during a free flying session – where keepers let the birds roam free to exercise – on Monday, but did not return after being called back.

“They’ve previously taken detours into the zoo’s trees but this n Turn to page 13 time they ventured further afield,” a spokesperson at the zoo said.

“Our expert bird team is working diligently to find them. They’ve been combing the area, contacting neighbours and community groups. We’d like CNJ readers to help us out.”

Blue-throated macaws come from Bolivia in South America and their call is “easily distinguished” from the call of other birds in the local area, such as parakeets. The zoo is confident that they will still be in London.

The zoo’s appeal for help

The spokesperson added: “The macaws are likely to stay close together and remain high up in trees but they will come down to the ground to forage for food which is when ­people are likely to spot them. “They eat all sorts of things like sunflower seeds and nuts but they will scavenge for anything like fallen seeds.

“We are not encouraging people to pet and feed them. If anyone spots them, send a photo and precise location to the zoo, using the What3Words app.

“London is such a noisy city so finding their way back through the calls of other birds is much more difficult, which is why we’re expanding the search.”

If you spot Lily or Margot, email a picture and location to birds@zsl.org