A PICKERING parrot has won a place on a prime perch with her peculiar performances.

Charlie the blue and gold macaw has won the coveted post of parrot in residence at Legoland in Windsor, after impressing the judges with her un-dead antics.

Charlie fought off stiff competition, but in the end her unique talent won her the prize. For unlike her Norwegian Blue cousin of Monty Python fame, Charlie can play dead whilst is really only resting.

The bird, whose owner Peter Bloom from Pickering has had her for 30 years, can appear as if she is an ex-parrot, even though she has not in fact ceased to be.

Mr Bloom, 55, said he thought the macaw was chosen for the role because she can roll over and play dead.

Charlie will take up her post at the Legoland resort's hotel to celebrate the opening of Pirate Shores, a new pirate themed area on the resort.

She auditioned against three other birds to win the job, and will start work over the Easter holidays when Castaway Camp, an all new pirate adventure play area opens in the new Pirate Shores featuring pirate themed rides, attractions and more than 100 brand new LEGO models.

Legoland spokeswoman Lauren Moss said: "Who could have guessed there was such parrot talent out there?

"We were very impressed by all our candidates. In fact, they were all so gifted, picking the perfect parrot for the post was incredibly tough. The resort and this hotel is all about colour, fun, surprises and, of course, making children smile, which any one of these birds could do.

"But Charlie just had that extra touch of piratey mischief and we think she will fit right in when she takes up her special Lego parrot perch next month. She'll meet and greet guests here in our reception area and we know they will love her."