Gravesend High Street attracts shoppers of all shapes, sizes and ethnic groups, but when an African parrot sauntered down the cobbled street, it turned a few heads.

The parrot, who was later discovered to be 20-year-old African Grey Masie, had flown away from a flat in St Andrews Court, Gravesend.

This morning, Rene Kumbullha spotted the bird walking along the pavement.

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She said: “I was walking from the riverside up the High Street and noticed this beautiful, fabulous parrot, and I thought it must belong to someone and I wanted to help it get back to the owner.

“I remembered I had some biscuits and I said ‘sweetheart, you want biscuits?’ and the bird flew up on my shoulder.

“I’ve never before had a situation like that.

“I gave it some water too. I just wanted to make sure the bird was safe.”

She brought the bird into KentOnline's sister paper the Gravesend Messenger’s office in the High Street while the reporters had a call around and a look online to see if anyone had lost a bird.

After a quick dash to Parrock Street Veterinary Surgery to get a cage, the owner was traced.

Sheralee Lifton, 25, who’s mum Polly owns the parrot, came straight to the office to collect her bird with her partner Lee Moon and Masie was taken to the vets to be scanned, and return the cage.

Miss Lifton said: “She’s been missing for three days. I’ve had her about 20 years from when she was a baby, I was about five or six when we got her.

“My mum was cleaning her out on the balcony this week, and she just flew out.

“We’ve been looking for her for days. Thank you so much for helping to find her.”

But before her safe return, Masie made her mark on the Gravesend office, eating the front page of the latest Messenger, flying round the room, jumping from chair to chair and even leaving a little present on the furniture.

While the superstitious amongst us may fear a bird inside, it was a lucky morning for Masie, and her owners.

The couple were amazed anyone would even return her, as the birds are worth about £800 and upwards.

Mr Moon said: “I actually can’t believe someone just gave her back.”