A bright yellow bird that was brought in to a wildlife sanctuary when it was found by the side of a busy road was actually a herring gull covered in turmeric.

The bird had fallen into curry water and could not fly when it was found next to the A41 and brought in to Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital in Haddenham, Aylesbury.

Despite a 'pungent smell' and 'vibrant colour' the herring gull was healthy and soon recovered its natural colouring after a bath.

A post on the wildlife sanctuary's Facebook page read: 'This is one of the strangest casualty circumstances we have seen in a while!

Before: The gull had fallen into curry water and could not fly when it was found at the side of the A41 and brought in to Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital in Haddenham, Aylesbury

After: The herring gull was left unable to fly after its feathers were coated in the pungent yellow substance. It is thought the bird will soon be released

'This bright-orange herring gull was rescued by kind members of the public who spotted him at the side of the A41.

'When they called to say they had picked up an orange bird, we had no idea what to expect – and would never have guessed at this.

'He had somehow gotten himself covered in curry or turmeric. It was all over his feathers, preventing him from flying properly.

'We have no idea how he got into this predicament but thankfully, apart from the vibrant colour and pungent smell, he was healthy.'

Pictures taken by staff at the wildlife hospital show the bird being given a bath as the yellow is slowly washed out of its feathers.

Before the gull is washed it could easily be mistaken for a tropical bird usually found in a rainforest.

Despite a 'pungent smell' and 'vibrant colour' the herring gull was healthy and soon recovered its natural colouring after a bath

Pictures taken by staff at the wildlife hospital show the bird being given a bath as the yellow is slowly washed out of its feathers

Comments on the post were quick to point out the now cleaned bird did not seem happy about its treatment.

Kate O'Mara said: 'He looks really angry that his efforts to look flamboyant and different have been thwarted.'

And Jemima Spare added: 'Despite the care that the humans have taken with this bird, it still looks like it would stab you in the eye given the chance.'