Percy the Cannock pigeon ends up in Canada

A pigeon owner from Staffordshire today spoke of his shock after his confused racing bird turned up more than 3,000 miles away in Canada.

Bernard Chambers, aged 75, said he just "couldn't believe it" after his racing bird Percy ended up in Canada rather than his home town of Cannock.

Plucky Percy, also known as number 12, had been entered into a race in Fougeres in Brittany, France, last month.

But rather than flying to his Staffordshire home, the bird turned up more than 3,000 miles away in Quebec.

Earlier this week, Mr Chambers was contacted by the Royal Pigeon Racing Association to say Percy had been found.

He had been identified by a number on a leg ring.

Pigeon racer of 60 years, Mr Chambers said: "It came as a big surprise, we couldn't believe it.

"We can only think that he hitched a ride on a boat or boats, he was obviously looked after by someone, we haven't got any other logical explanation. I can't see him flying 3,000 miles across the water. They do get lost quite regularly," Mr Chambers added.

"There can be mishaps - they've got lots of things to face like peregrine falcons, bad weather and they can get blown off course.

"You do lose a few over the season. But this pigeon was one of our most consistent racers over land, and he'd flown back from France at the start of June fine."

Percy has found a new home after being taken in by French Canadian pigeon enthusiast Michel Gosselin, who has 50 years experience of looking after them. Mr Chambers has been shown pictures of Percy's new pad.