Fly, my pretties, fly! Singapore's parrot owners opt to not clip their bird's wings

A Green-Winged Macaw takes flight as part of a free-flying training session in Singapore.

Walking down the tree-lined pavements of Singapore with Max is akin to taking a stroll with a celebrity. Curious passers-by stop and smile, children point in excited, wide-eyed curiosity, and a sizeable number ask for a photo opportunity to post on their social media profiles.

But Max isn't a person. He sits on a wooden perch, has a brilliant plumage of deep reds, blues and greens, and is particularly delighted to be gifted sunflower seeds.Max is a parrot – specifically, a Green-Winged Macaw. These birds are usually found in the tropical forests of northern and central South America.