A rare mohican feathered hoopoe bird was spotted on Shetland – with buzzing locals trying to catch a glimpse of it.
The African bird does not breed in the UK and typically nests in rocks and trees – but one was captured feeding in a garden in Tingwall.
Gary Buchan, 51, snapped a picture of the exotic bird and said it has created a lot of excitement among locals.
The RSPB says only 100 of the birds – which have zebra print wings and a pale chestnut head – pass through the UK every year.
Hoopoes cause a flap among birdwatchers when they are spotted as far north as Scotland – normally after being blown off-course during migration.
Photographer Gary was delighted to get a picture of the rare bird – the first time he has ever seen one.
Gary said: “A few people had been talking about spotting it on a WhatsApp group we have for rare bird sightings.
“It had been seen in a woman’s garden in Tingwall, it’s only about ten minutes from me, so I went over to have a look and it was just eating away in her garden.
“It’s the first time I have seen one and it was much smaller than I thought it would be.
“I thought they were seagull size, but it was just a wee thing, about half that size.
“We normally get one or two a year here if they have been blown off course during migration.
“It has created huge excitement, there have been a lot of people going to the garden to try and catch a glimpse of it.
“Rare birds create a bit of a buzz because everyone wants to see them, especially one as weird looking as a hoopoe.”
Gary pictured the bird on Tuesday but it was believed to have still be in the garden on Friday.
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