Is there more than one large, all-white cockatiel-like bird flying around the Bailey?s Bay and Blue Hole Hill area of Hamilton Parish?

A resident who regularly keeps an eye out for birds, and whose home overlooks Bailey?s Bay, has noted the arrival of a large, all-white bird with a plume on its head

The species of bird is not known, but its colouring and plume suggest it is tropical and possibly has escaped from captivity. Storm force winds that battered the Island at the weekend may have resulted in the bird escaping from a private aviary or cage.

However, it is also possible the bird is a sulphur-crested cockatiel, which has been free-flying in the area around the ice cream parlour on nearby Blue Hole Hill for a number of years, according to Andrew Dobson, president of the Bermuda Audubon Society.

Laura Lee, who has a study window overlooking Bailey?s Bay, first noticed the bird last weekend when it perched in a dead tree outside.

She regularly watches birds in the area and has binoculars to get a closer look at avian visitors to the neighbourhood, but has not come across this bird before. She said: ?My first thought was what a gorgeous bird. I would not think that it has flown here or be migrating.

?It is a big bird and snow white in colour with a plume on its head. I called the SPCA but they have not had any reports of anyone having lost a bird.?

Since the weekend the bird has been making regular appearances in the tree, which overlooks Bailey?s Bay.

A warden at the Aquarium and Zoo at Flatts said none of its birds had escaped and the zoo has not heard from anyone reporting a lost bird.

Bermuda Audubon Society?s Mr. Dobson suspects from the description that it is the same cockatiel that flies freely around the area of Blue Hole Hill and is thought to be regularly fed as it is unlikely such a fruit-eating species would manage to find enough food sources on the Island all year round.

Mr. Dobson said it was highly unlikely that such a bird would have been blown to the Island by storm winds.