Parrot who sings `The Sash' at heart of Drumcree-style impasse

Everyone knows why the chicken crossed Garvaghy Road: because his feathers and forefeathers had been crossing it for generations.

But the question of who legally owns a parrot that can sing and whistle The Sash is proving harder to answer, and has now been referred to the beaks in the Belfast Magistrates' Court.

Events came to a head in October 1998 when Sambo, an African grey parrot (with Orange tendencies), escaped from his new home in Belfast. Tensions were running high then after the Belfast Agreement - the Rev Ian Paisley had even called Queen Elizabeth "a parrot" - but it appears the bird had simply been frightened by fireworks.

When he was found he was given to a vet who had looked after him since. But Sambo is now at the centre of a Drumcree-style impasse involving his original owner and a man who believes he bought him legally. And the RUC is again caught in the middle.

The court heard yesterday that the trouble began when Sambo's owner at the time, Elizabeth Jamison, moved to Scotland. Once settled, she instructed her solicitor to write to her estranged husband asking for the £800 parrot and his cage, only to be told Sambo was lost. But evidence was given that the bird had instead been sold by Mrs Jamison's husband, Sam, to a Belfast neighbour.

Mr Bret Hutchinson said he bought the parrot for his wife, paying £400, and it was from Mr Hutchinson's home that Sambo fled. Now both Mrs Jamison and the Hutchinsons are applying for the bird's return.

The RUC initially laughed when Mrs Hutchinson reported that the missing parrot could whistle The Sash, but its wildlife liaison officer confirmed in evidence that Sambo was "quite vocal" and could sing a number of songs, including the Orange standard.

The Resident Magistrate, Ms Sarah Creanor, reserved her decision. "This is something that does not arise every day, and I would like to check up on the legal position," she said.