A PARAKEET suspected to be living wild in Malmesbury has been spotted frequenting a bird table in Reeds Farm.

The bird, believed to be a ring-necked parakeet, was photographed by Stephen Gaulter, who first noticed it when he heard the bird squawking outside his house.

He said: “I thought it looked like one of those birds that they have in London.

“They are very attractive and people have said they are very lovely but some people have also said they make quite a lot of noise.”

Mr Gaulter added that he was very happy with the visitor and would welcome it if it did not affect local wildlife.

The bird has been back to the table three times to pick through seeds and seems to particularly enjoy sunflower seeds, though it has refused to eat sunflower hearts that were already out of their shells.

Ring-necked parakeets are the UK’s only naturalised parrot and can be found in the south east of England throughout the year.

It is believed that the current parrot population in the UK has reached 5,000 and they have been breeding in the wild since at least 1969.

If you spot a parakeet in Malmesbury or the surrounding area email your photos to eca@wiltsglosstandard.co.uk