Ian Clarke The search is on for a distinctive South American bird which escaped after strong winds blew a hole in an aviary at a Norfolk reserve.

Ian Clarke

The search is on for a distinctive South American bird which escaped after strong winds blew a hole in an aviary.

Staff at the Pensthorpe park, near Fakenham, are appealing for anyone who may have seen the male scarlet ibis, which has been at large since Saturday afternoon.

It has been spotted at the reserve since then but could have flown out to nearby areas.

Pensthorpe spokesman Mark Noble said: "We will be able to capture it and generally they do not travel far but we want to establish a pattern of where it may have gone."

The scarlet ibis comes from Venezuala and is prevalent there but quite scarce in captivity.

It gets its distinctive reddish colour from its main diet of shrimps.

The bird is about the size of a large chicken with gangly legs and a long beak.

Mr Noble said the ibis would be able to find food for itself while it is free.

Anyone who sees the scarlet ibis should contact Pensthorpe on 01328 851465.