Missing homing pigeon Bob found 4,000 miles away in Alabama

Bob the pigeon is being cared for at an animal shelter in Alabama

A confused pigeon has turned up thousands of miles away in the US after getting lost racing back to Tyneside.

Bob set off from Guernsey in the Channel Islands three weeks ago on the 400-mile (644 km) route to Gateshead, which was supposed to take 10 hours.

But instead of heading home to Tyneside the four-year-old was found at the home of a puzzled Alabama resident.

Owner Alan Todd believed Bob took a wrong turn and landed on a ship where he crossed the Atlantic.

The bird, who is said to be worth more than £1,000, is currently being cared for by an animal shelter in Monroeville, Alabama.

Staff said despite being underweight Bob "looks pretty good" and had been checked by a vet.

Mr Todd, from Winlaton, who has been reunited with Bob via webcam, is planning to travel over to bring him back.

"He wouldn't have flown all that way, I think he has probably jumped on to a ship," he said.

"He was covered in oil - it could have been an oil tanker.

"They are obviously looking after him very well - when I saw him yesterday he didn't look in a good state, but looking at him today he looks a lot better just in one day."

Bob has been checked by a vet and gained weight after being cared for by the shelter

The pigeon was traced to north-east England by staff at Monroe County Alabama Animal Shelter who put out an appeal on social media.

They said they had been contacted by an elderly resident who had found the bird at his home in Mexia on Wednesday.

Because Bob was wearing distinctive leg bands, staff at the shelter investigated and tracked down the North of East Homing Union (NEHU), where his owner was found.

Megan Bryan and Monica Hardy, who have been caring for the pigeon at the shelter, said: "He's appearing well, he's doing great."