Residents rally to stop the macaws of Footscray from being caged

A bid to cage two popular macaws in Footscray has prompted the local community to rally behind the popular birds to let them fly free.

A threat to cage two popular macaws in Footscray has prompted the local community and the mayor to rally behind the birds to let them fly free.

The brightly coloured birds, Bosco and Coco, have become popular figures in the inner west over the past five years, often spotted around cafes, parks and the Footscray Market.

Ngo Duy Tam with his macaws Coco (left) and Bosco. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

But the City of Maribyrnong council has reportedly contacted owner Ngo Duy Tam saying the parrots need to be kept in a cage.

Mr Tam has said he would not want to detain the pet birds and has even considered rehoming them.

Ngo Duy Tam's pet macaws Coco (left) and Bosco are a regular feature in the Footscray area. Source: Facebook

The council’s demand prompted a change.org community petition to keep the birds free.

Maribyrnong Mayor Pradeep Tiwari has now intervened and contacted Mr Tam, determined to keep the macaws in Footscray.

“We will be going out to see him today and work out what’s gone on, I can confirm council never enforced or gave any orders, or issued any infringements,’’ Mr Tiwari said.

“I’m pretty confident we can find a resolution between all parties concerned.’’

Petition organiser Blake Carmichael said the birds did no harm, were like suburban mascots and brought joy to everyone who saw them.

Maribyrnong mayor Pradeep Tiwari.

“Anyone that knows anything about large birds can only fathom the horribly negative impact it would have on such beautiful creatures, not to mention the owner of these gorgeous birds; and (the) local following they have generated over the years,’’ he said.

It’s believed a visit by the birds to a local school sparked a council complaint.

Mr Tam has trained the macaws so they return to him on demand.

He told the Herald Sun in July that the birds were “like celebrities’’.

“People are always taking photos of them.’’

Originally published as Residents rally to stop the macaws of Footscray from being caged