A parrot that can whistle The Great Escape theme tune is still on the run after taking inspiration from his party piece and flying away.

African Grey Parrot Billie had been awaiting a new home while in the care of Birdline charity volunteer Laura Rose in St Dunstan's Drive, Gravesend - but escaped to take his destiny into his own wings last month.

Since then there have been sightings of Billie by the Canal Basin in Gravesend, and then Painters Ash, but there have been no sightings for two weeks.

Perhaps though, his distinctive call will eventually lead to him being found.

"I don't know when he learnt it," said Laura.

"He was doing it when I got him - it is quite ironic.

"He just sings bits of it, but if people were out and they heard it they'd recognise it."

The Birdline charity works to help injured birds and birds that need rehoming, and volunteers had hoped to keep Billie with his "bonded mate" Millie - but the decision was taken this week to rehome Millie without her escaped partner, in a new home with another African Grey, as she had been showing signs of distress.

Meanwhile, the fate of Billie, much like Steve McQueen's character Hilts, in the 1963 American epic war film, hangs in the balance.

"It's not looking good for him," added Laura.

"Hopefully he's alright but the weather has been very cold. You never know.

"He's travelled a long way - hopefully he's loving life and he's been everywhere."

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend

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