Lottery winner creates haven for TV-loving African grey parrots

A mother-of-four who won £2 million on a National Lottery Scratchcard has created a haven in her home for her two African grey parrots – including a flat-screen television so they can watch Dog The Bounty Hunter.

Lesley Herbert, 44, upgraded to her new family home in Basingstoke, Hampshire, following her life-changing win, making sure there was enough space for her children, two dogs and the parrots, called Alfie and Sonny.

The birds have their own air-conditioned room with specialist flooring, toys, plants and apparatus designed to keep them entertained and feel as close to their home environment as possible.

Both birds love watching the TV, and for some unknown reason their favourite viewing is Dog The Bounty Hunter, they go wild for him ... I know it’s not the jungles of Africa but the parrots seem to be very happy

Lottery winner Lesley Herbert

Ms Herbert said: “People may think I’m crazy but my animals are very much part of the family so making sure they also benefited from the win is really important to me. Once the children had chosen their rooms, there was one spare, which I decided to turn into the parrot room.

“I know it’s not the jungles of Africa but the parrots seem to be very happy in their room and the freedom they enjoy.

“While I have tried to keep it as natural as possible, there’s one element that’s not quite so natural – a flat-screen TV. Both birds love watching the TV, and for some unknown reason their favourite viewing is Dog The Bounty Hunter, they go wild for him.

“When I tell people that I have a room for my parrots at home you can tell they think I am crazy but, while fast cars and jewellery are top of some people’s ‘when I win the lottery’ list, for me it’s all about giving my family the best and happiest home, and that includes my parrots.”

Ms Herbert’s win in 2021 came as she was struggling to pay the vet bill for her first parrot Bibi, a rescue bird which has since died.

Lesley Herbert with her pet African grey parrots, Alfie and Sonny, in their own room in her Basingstoke home (Camelot/PA)

She said: “I can still remember the moment I revealed that win.

“My very first rescue parrot had just dislocated her foot and I was worried about her, and the vet bill, so I think I was drowning my sorrows when I popped into the shop to get some spinach and instead treated myself to a chocolate bar and scratchcard.

“Thank goodness I did. That decision has changed mine and my children’s lives beyond our wildest dreams, and, I like to think, for my pet parrots too.”

Ms Herbert added that she hopes to set up a shelter for abandoned animals such as Sonny, who she took in after his elderly owner died.

She has also attended a fear of flying course so she can take her family to Disney World in Florida as well as a planned trip to South America.

She said: “My dream has always been to travel to South America to see blue and gold macaws in the wild. Until two years ago I assumed this would be just that, a dream, and that I would have to be happy with watching them on telly.

“Now, thanks to my win, one of these days I’m going to make that dream a reality.”