A BIRD-brained starling had its feather's ruffled when it got stuck - in a tree.

The startled bird had to be rescued by firefighters yesterday.

More used to rescuing cats from trees, Cleveland firefighters were called to help the stricken bird after it had become stuck at the top of a tree in Sheepfoote Hill, Yarm, near Stockton.

The bird fell foul of a piece of plastic that snared its leg and kept it attached to the tree for at least 24 hours.

A passerby noticed the distressed bird's twitterings and alerted RSPCA officers who, realising they could not reach it, called the fire brigade.

Thornaby leading firefighter Ian Bradley, who arrived at the scene yesterday lunchtime, said: "It was 20ft up the tree.

"One of us climbed up and, because the bird was right at the end of the branch, had to saw it off.

"We brought the branch down the tree - but just as it reached the ground, it flew off.

"It did have a poorly leg."

Mr Bradley added: "It was one of our most unusual outings.

"In my 15 years in the service I can safely say I've never rescued a bird from a tree. But we do provide humanitarian services from time to time."