POLICEMAN Tony Ellis literally got the bird when he spotted a rook attacking a parakeet.
He flew to the rescue of the terrified parakeet when it was dive-bombed by a rook behind Blackburn police station.
Now dog-handler Tony says he has grown fond of his new-found feathered friend and intends keeping it if an owner doesn't turn up.
He said: "I spotted the parakeet being attacked by a big, black rook. There was a real scrap going on, but the poor parakeet had no chance. It tried to escape, but flew straight into a window and hit the ground.
"The rook geared up for the final attack, but I flew to the rescue. The poor parakeet was scared out of its wits."
Man and bird soon bonded and PC Ellis said if the parakeet's owner doesn't come forward within a week he is staking his claim.
"The bird can't have been lost for long before I found it because it would have been killed by Saturday's frost. If the bird is yours, please come forward," he said.
The parakeet is the green ring-necked variety and PC Ellis can be contacted on 01254 51212.
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