Elvis the parrot has left the district

After years of getting his neighbours all shook up, the South American Macaw has been banished from his home village of Wilsden.

With just a squawk and a ruffle of feathers, Elvis left the picturesque Aire Valley for a new life amid the equally stunning Shropshire landscape.

His departure follows complaints about him dive-bombing residents, stealing scraps of metal from roofs and damaging streetlights.

Ian Watson, of Bradford Council’s anti-social behaviour team, said his antics had become so bad there was no other option than to send him to a rural retirement retreat.

He said: “The straw that broke the camel’s back came after we received a complaint from an off-duty police officer. His elderly father had gone out with his three-year-old grandson and Elvis swooped down, terrified the elderly gentleman, and caused the child to have nightmares.

“He has moved to Shropshire now, in a very remote part of the county, and well away from people. We visited the other day and the aviary in Wilsden where he used to live has now gone.”

Elvis made headlines when his owner, businessman Edward Pikul, was threatened with an Anti-Social Behaviour Order.

The parrot’s mischievous antics divided villagers, but many, including residents Neil Whitaker and his daughter, Scarlet Williams, backed the bird.

They run a hencam website, which monitors their chicken coop through a webcam. They have also received dozens of e-mails in support of Elvis.

Mr Whitaker said: “He brought fun and colour to the village and really made Wilsden stand out from other villages.

“Any damage he did cause the owner offered to pay for, so I can’t see that there was any problem – I’m honestly disappointed that we won’t be seeing him flying around this summer with the sunlight gleaming off his colourful feathers.”

Following the latest anti-social incident earlier this month, Mr Watson and PC Mick Wilkinson visited Mr Pikul and his daughter, Melissa, at their home.

They explained the problem to the family, who agreed to send Elvis to pastures new.

Mr Watson said: “We went to see them and had a chat to point out the impact Elvis was having on villagers, and explained that it was not really on when a three-year-old is having nightmares. She took it on board and did what needed to be done.”

He added: “The window cleaners and the milkmen can all come out of hiding and get back on their rounds in safety now – Elvis has left the district!”