The owl who loves riding bicycles

An adventurous owl has given up on more traditional methods of owl locomotion, like flying, instead opting to travel around on a bicycle.

Treacle the tawny owl loves to hop on to the handlebars of the bike and go for rides with wildlife centre owner Jenny Smith. She has looked after Treacle since he was a baby and the two have become almost inseparable. He would get into such a flap when she left that she let him hitch a lift on her mountain bike. The 26-year-old said: 'When Treacle was little he used to perch on a grandfather clock – he has obviously graduated from that to a bike. 'He always enjoys being on the bike and stays still. People were surprised when they first saw him there but he is a real natural at riding now. It suits us both as I get to keep fit by cycling all the time and Treacle gets a bit of fresh air.' Treacle was brought into Gentleshaw Birds of Prey and Wildlife Centre in Eccleshall, Staffordshire, six years ago because his owners could not look after him. Now their bond goes beyond a shared love of bike rides. Ms Smith said: 'It is funny. Because the owls are hand-reared by people they sometimes think they are human. 'Sometimes you even find that they will share some of their food with you. Unfortunately they eat raw mice so it is nothing you would want to put in your mouth.'