The pink-backed pelican, a native to sub-Saharan Africa, escaped from a wildlife park on the Isle of Man in October and flew to Northumberland, where it was found suffering from blood poisoning.

Having been taken into care by the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA), the bird soon started to show signs of affection towards Alexis Bailey, one of the charity’s workers. It displayed mating rituals whenever she entered the room and bit others who approached.

Ms Bailey, 47, who has worked at the SSPCA for eight years, said yesterday: “We responded to a call to take in a sick pelican in October, and I was the person on hand. I came in, gave him his antibiotics and got him settled down for the night. He seems to have been in love with me ever since.

“He looks right into my eyes and puts on what I can only describe as a mating display, with his wings up and his head bowed down. He’ll walk over to me, snuggle in and preen me. He loves to take my hair or my hand in his mouth and he also plays with my shoelaces.”

As she prepared for the bird’s return to Curraghs Wildlife Park on the Isle of Man, Ms Bailey voiced concern about its future without her. “I’m hoping he’ll get over me when he sees other pelicans again,” she said.

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