A 6ft pet bird ended up in a police van after it legged it from his owner's garden and went to explore.
The three-year-old rhea did a runner from David Hartley's field at the back of his home to the surprise of locals in Lancashire.
Residents spotted the giant bird wandering down the street into the village.
Cops were called out and managed to corner it in a driveway.
Police put the bird in the back of the van and drove him home in Earby.
Retired headteacher David, 77, said: "He had a wander into town. People are very good at telling me where he was.
"A lady came up in her car and took me down, the police lady was excellent, really sensible.
“She didn't try to do anything which was the right thing as they can be dangerous.
"They've got a big kick on them and a sharp beak. But they are powerful and no brain and it panics, of course.
"They put him into the van and brought him back here. He's never done that before.
"I'm getting a bit old to be wrestling Rheas."
One local said: “God knows how they got it into the back of the van."
Another added: “Looks like he's looking at doing a bit of bird."
A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: "We were called at around 10.25am on Sunday to reports a bird had been seen at the back of a property on Victoria Mews in Earby.
"We attended and located the owners of the bird and it was returned home safely at around 11.05am after getting a lift in the back of a police van."
