Cockatiel rescued after landing on fisherman’s boat 10 miles offshore

The cockatiel has been named Hei Hei after the stowaway rooster on Moana's boat in the Disney film Moana (Scottish SPCA)
The cockatiel has been named Hei Hei after the stowaway rooster on Moana's boat in the Disney film Moana (Scottish SPCA)

A lost cockatiel has been rescued 10 miles offshore after landing on a fishing boat.

The fisherman, whose vessel was near Troon, south Aryshire, said he was shocked to find the bird and gave him food and water before returning him to land.

He took the cockatiel to the Scottish SPCA’s Aryshire Animal Rescue and Rehoming centre, who say he is in good health.

Scottish SPCA animal rescue officer Sheena MacTaggart said, “This was a very unusual rescue, I’ve never been contacted about a bird finding its way so far out to sea.”

She added, “He has no obvious injuries, and was given some water and food before being taken to our centre in Ayrshire.”

The staff named the lost bird Hei Hei after the stowaway rooster on Moana’s boat in the Disney film Moana, saying, “we thought it was very fitting.”

The charity are appealing for information concerning the owner of the bird and hope to return him home.

Last year, the Scottish SPCA revealed its most unusual animal rescues in 2019, including finding a cockatiel taking refuge in a McDonald’s cup as he was attacked by a group of magpies. He was named McDonald after the experience.

They were also called to an unusual rescue of a seal pup in Greenock car park in November.

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