THIS was an odd call.

The RSPCA was called to help after Ikea staff discovered a budgie trapped in their stationary cupboard.

The lost bird was found at the Ikea on Metro Park West in Gateshead on Tuesday.

It is believed he must have entered through the loading bay doors and flew into the staff office seeking sanctuary from predators and the high winds outside.

After ruffling a few feathers, the budgie was contained in a box and named Barry by the staff member who found him. They then contacted the RSPCA and Animal Collection Officer (ACO) Terence Haley collected the bird.

ACO Haley said: “Little Barry was in a flap before Ikea staff managed to contain him in a box and contact us. Luckily, he was in a good condition but he has no ID ring or microchip and we are still looking for his owner.

“There are no houses close to the industrial estate so he could have come from further afield. There were high winds that day so it’s possible he could have blown in from tens of miles away. He was seeking sanctuary inside Ikea from the weather and also as an exotic, blue bird he stands out and is at risk of predation from magpies and other predators, so he was very lucky to take refuge in the furniture store.

“He’s very friendly so the bird is obviously used to being handled and must be somebody’s pet. His details were posted on PetsLocated to see if we could trace an owner but sadly no one has come forward.

“Barry the budgie is now being looked after at RSPCA Great Ayton Animal Centre. If an owner is not found then he will be available for rehoming very soon and as he is so friendly I’m sure he will be ‘flying off the shelves’ and is sure to find his forever home.”

Mike Parker, Store Manager at IKEA Gateshead, said: “It was a real ‘tweet’ to meet Barry the budgie on his visit to our IKEA Gateshead store. We are delighted to hear he is doing well and we hope his owner reaches out to the RSPCA soon to take him back home.”

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