John Floate and Donna Stone's cockatiel, Jonjo, escaped from their home in Florlandia Close, Sompting, in May.

Since then the couple have had several prank calls from people claiming to have found the 10-year-old bird.

"He'd only been gone a couple of days and this man rang to say 'I've got your Jonjo here'," said 39-year-old Donna.

"He gave us an address in Shoreham so we got over there really quickly and the owners of the house didn't know anything about it.

"We've had kids ringing up and making parrot noises as well. We are absolutely devastated.

"There's a lot of nice people around but some horrible ones, too, I'm afraid."

Panic

Jonjo escaped when Donna left the door open.

"I blame myself because we used to let him fly around the house and I'd been out to cut the grass," said the office manager.

"I came in to take the plug out and as I went back outside I heard him coming and I thought 'Oh no, I haven't shut the door'."

Donna said she may have startled Jonjo as she panicked and put her arms up to stop him going outside.

The couple originally put posters up around Sompting and Lancing but, after possible sightings in East Preston and Rustington, they decided to search further afield.

Reward

Donna believes Jonjo could even be spotted on the roof of a local pub as one of his favourite phrases is "Do you want a drink".

Donna said: "If anyone did see him in their garden they could put something out like cucumber and then maybe go inside and phone us.

"The cucumber might make him stay a little longer."

The couple are offering a reward for Jonjo's safe return.

Anyone who thinks they may have spotted the bird should call 01903 763735.

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