Lost owl ends up in family's kitchen after bid for freedom

But that could not be said for one baby barn owl who ended up in a family's kitchen.

The young bird, who had escaped from its home nearby, was first discovered walking the streets of Portobello, where it seemed more than happy to accept attentions from local residents.

But after getting spooked, it flew into the Jefferson family home in Rosefield Street, where it settled on the top of one of the kitchen cupboards after initially flying round the hallway looking for somewhere to rest.

It stayed there for half an hour until a Scottish SPCA officer – who had being trying to track down the owl all day – rescued it.

The charity had received numerous reports of sightings of the bird as he had been missing for two days.

Bob Jefferson, 51, said: "I first saw it when I came home from work.

"One or two kids were stroking it in the street so it was obviously quite tame.

"It was quite happy then it got a little bit nervous when people were gathered around it and flew towards our open door and ended up in the kitchen.

"I tried to give it something to eat and put some milk and bread out, which apparently was the completely wrong thing to do as it would have preferred a mouse."

Scottish SPCA ambulance driver Emma Phillips, who rescued the owl two weeks ago, said there had been reports of the bird being attacked by seagulls earlier in the day at Baileyfield.

She said: "When I arrived to collect him he was very flighty and proved difficult to catch.

"After a few attempts he flew off and we lost sight of him.

"However, he was found later that day and this time he was contained in the kitchen and I was able to collect him quite easily.

"He was in very good condition apart from a slight bash above his beak.

"His owner was delighted to have him home. He is a very friendly, tame bird and his owner told me that he had gone out to his garage with the bird on his shoulder.

"When he went to close the garage door the bird got a fright and flew off."

Although Mr Jefferson was relieved to get his kitchen back, his daughter Emily, nine, was less happy to see the bird leave.

Mr Jefferson added: "My daughter said it was the most exciting day of her life.

"I wouldn't quite go that far but I would say that it was the most exciting day of the week.

"It's one thing to see an animal like that in a zoo but another to see it up close. It's a beautiful bird."