Plea to find Gary McMullen’s parrot friend ‘Skippy’ of 30 years

A Warrnambool man is desperately searching for his little mate Skippy after he escaped out the back door of his home. Read how you can help.

Mr McMullen said Skippy’s disappearance left a “big hole”. Picture: Gary McMullen

Don’t be afraid if you see a flutter of green feathers and feel a bird landing on your shoulder around Warrnambool - you might have met missing pet Skippy.

Warrnambool man Gary McMullen has been searching for his beloved Alexandrine parakeet Skippy since he was spooked by a cat and flew out the back door of his home two months ago.

Since the incident he has been spotted a few times around Warrnambool but has not been caught.

Mr McMullen, who lives alone, said the disappearance of his pet of 30 years had left a “big hole” in his life.

He deeply misses Skippy, who he described as “a real character”, sitting on his shoulder all day.

“He’d get straight out of his cage and we’d have a cuddle in the morning.

“I love him like my own son.”

“He’s definitely a family member that’s for sure, [he’s] my only family down here and the rest are in Melbourne,” Mr McMullen said. “It hurts and it still does. It’s horrendous.”

'Skippy' went missing a couple months ago and has been spotted two weeks ago and is yet to be found again. Picture: Gary McMullen

Gary McMullen has had his pet parrot 'Skippy' for 30 years. Picture: Gary McMullen

He said Skippy was a healthy bird but he just wanted him home.

“Just looking at him you wouldn’t think he was over 30 — he’s a good looking bird for his age — he’s healthy. No one picks him as 30 they always think he’s about 10 years old or something but he’s over 30 — and he’s been with me for a long time,” Mr McMullen said.

Mr McMullen asked the Warrnambool community to keep an eye out for the little parakeet.

“I’m getting good responses — they seem to be looking but no one seems to be seeing him at the moment,” Mr McMullen, adding it was worrying and upsetting.

“I just want people to be aware that it is a lost bird — the more eyes looking at it the better.”

He urged people to call him as soon as they see Skippy and to try not to physically react if he lands on their shoulder.

“Most people are ringing saying they have seen my parrot two hours ago,” he said, describing it as heartbreaking. “Every time I get there he’s gone.”