Jackson finds his best bud

Archi, a cockatiel, had escaped from his cage on Sunday afternoon and flown straight over the house. 

Jackson, who has autism, and his family had been desperately searching for him since, walking the streets and knocking on doors.

Late on Thursday morning when Marlei Blume arrived home from work, she noticed a bird sitting in the front garden. 

“I thought it must be injured and unable to fly so I ran inside to get a tea towel to pop over it so I could catch it,” she said.

“As I knelt down with the tea towel, he hopped straight on my hand. I knew he had to be someones pet as he was so tame.”

Marlei took the bird inside and gave him a drink of water before contacting the Champion Post.

She sent us a photo of the bird and we immediately put up a facebook post appealing for any information.

Jackson’s teacher Angela Wilson saw the post and rang him. A short time later the best friends were reunited. Archie was a couple of blocks away from home.

Jackson’s mum Deb said he had been distraught.

“He has had a rough few weeks,” she said.

“He has been dealing with two deaths in the family, his grandmother Margaret Collier passed last month and his great grandfather Roy Attenborough was buried on Monday. 

“Jackson was very emotional but he bravely carried out the task of being pallbearer for both of them.”

Late Tuesday afternoon Jackson told the Champion Post he was very relieved to have his beloved best mate home safe and sound.

“Archi is eating and sleeping and enjoying being home. He is very hungry," he said.

"I'm so happy to have him back. I was worried about him last night and had trouble getting to sleep. I dreamt that he came home." 

Deb said Archi would be sleeping in Jackson's room on Tuesday night (at least).

“He is not likely to let him out of his sight any time soon,” she said.