Two endangered parrots have been returned to London Zoo six days after they escaped, after several tip-offs from residents.

Lily and Margot, two blue-throated macaws, flew away on October 21 while flying freely as part of their daily routine at the Zoo near Regents Park.

The blue-throated macaw, a brightly coloured parrot species, is known for its striking yellow and blue plumage, with blue and white stripes around its eyes and a distinct blue "beard”.

It was thought to be extinct until a wild population was rediscovered in 1992 in South America.

The blue-throated macaw is critically endangered, as recognized by the IUCN.

After several tip-offs from Cambridgeshire residents, the zoo was alerted by a family in Buckden who had spotted the birds in the trees behind their garden.

The parrots fled the scene before London Zoo’s birdkeepers arrived, but were tracked to a field and public footpath in Brampton.

It was there that the birds’ identities were confirmed as the missing Lily and Margot, who immediately flew into the arms of the zoo’s experts.

After Sunday’s rescue the two were treated to pumpkin seeds, walnuts and pecans – some of their favourite foods – and transported back to the zoo.

They are said to be in good condition and are now in quarantine at the on-site animal hospital, after which they will rejoin their parents Popeye and Ollie.