Unexpected visitor now a pet

A Shropshire family has a new, unexpected pet after a turkey flew in over Easter and has stayed with them ever since.

Annie Gabb, of Glazeley, near Bridgnorth, said what she thinks is an American bustard flew in a couple of weeks ago and has almost become a member of the family.

She said they had affectionately named the turkey Terry, and wondered where it had come from and if anyone was missing it.

Mrs Gabb said: “It flew in for Easter and it’s been here ever since. It’s huge and sometimes walks into the house through the front door.

“I have asked friends what they think it is and they have identified it as an American bustard, it looks like a big turkey with long legs.

“It just flew in randomly, I have no idea where it has come from, but it’s quite tame.

“We have been feeding it and after a few days it seems quite comfortable and settled in.

“We just wondered if someone is missing this turkey, it’s just so extraordinary. It’s very rural where we live.

“It makes a bit of a mess around the place but that’s nothing.

“I think we might have had peacocks come over before but never a turkey.

“It can definitely fly because we’ve seen it. My grandchildren came to visit at the weekend, and Theo, who is five-and-a-half, was playing with it.

“We have named it Terry, we’re not sure whether it’s male or female so Terry can be a name for either, it’s becoming a member of the family.

“I think it goes into a tree or a roof at night and it makes quite a noise early in the morning.”

By Rachael Lowe