'Injured parrot' in Aberdeen was actually a Christmas hat

Image copyright Scottish SPCA

Image caption Karen Hogg said the incident provided Christmas cheer

A woman was left "mortified" after calling in the Scottish SPCA to rescue an injured parrot that turned out to be a Christmas hat.

The charity was called to the scene on Great Western Road in Aberdeen after what a driver believed to be a parrot was seen in the middle of the road.

However, when they got there they discovered it was a woolly hat.

Animal rescue officer Karen Hogg said: "It's fair to say the lady who called was mortified when I called her back."

She said: "When she was on her way home from the shops, she thought she saw an injured bird on the road.

"The hat has green holly which she assumed was the body and a red bobble sticking out which she thought was the parrot's head.

"As the lady was driving at the time she wasn't able to stop and get a good look so called to alert us.

"When I got there it was a nice surprise to find there wasn't an animal in danger and I must admit it gave me a bit of Christmas cheer."

Ms Hogg added: "The hat is now being safely looked after at our centre in Drumoak. If anyone recognises the hat they are welcome to come and collect it.

"Although this incident turned out to be a false alarm, we'd always encourage people to give us a call if they think an animal is in need of help."