A family in Ham has asked people to keep an eye out for its missing pet parrot.

Effie the African Grey Parrot has been missing for a week after she "panicked" when the dog barked as Clara Benn was transferring her between her indoor and outdoor cages.

Clara told Richmond Nub News: "By the time she landed she would have had no idea where she was.

"She's lost rather than running away. And I think she would be pretty keen to be found.

"But she's nervous of strangers so would probably have to get quite desperate before she approaches someone."

Because of this nervousness Clara uploaded a recording of her voice onto YouTube for anyone to use if they think they see or hear Effie.

Her distinguishing feature is a bright scarlet tail and she's the size of a wood pigeon.

She lives with the family in Perryfield Way in a home which backs onto Richmond and Kew Football Club.

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But there's no guarantee that Effie will be nearby.

"She could be local but she could be 20 miles away by now. There's just absolutely no way of knowing," Clara said.

"She's an amazing talker, she has dozens of phrases. She will tell the kids to go to bed.

"When people are leaving she'll go 'Bye, love you'.

"If you talk on the phone she will kind of do the other half of the conversation.

"She has dozens and dozens of little noises, dances and sayings."

The parrot has been a beloved pet of the Benn's since 2003 – before Clara's 14-year-old son was born.

If you see her please drop Clara an email on [email protected]

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