The bird has been the word in Tunbridge Wells this week.

An on-the-run rhea has been causing traffic chaos around the town - daring to race cars at speeds excelling 40mph.

The fugitive avian, originally believed to be an ostrich, ruffled feathers on the main road between Rusthall and Speldhurst on Monday.

Drivers pulled over so they did not hit the 2ft bird and the drama caused queues of more than 20 minutes from about 8.30am.

It was in a traffic jam later that day that the owner of the five- month- old bird, named Baby, found him and returned him to his home in Harwarton Farm off Lower Green Road.

Owner Janet Lamb, who also keeps chickens, geese and ducks, said: “He caused quite a stir on his little walkabout. I’m amazed by the attention he’s got.

“I haven’t a clue how he escaped, a friend put the birds away on Sunday night and when I returned on Monday morning he was missing but we found him soon enough.

“He’s such a sweet bird and the youngest of eight. I can’t imagine him choosing to leave on his own, he would be very vulnerable.”

Baby was reportedly spotted running past a row of more than 20 cars in Lower Green Road during the Monday morning rush-hour.

The day after Baby returned home two other members from his clan set off on an adventure.

Spotticus and Beansprout alarmed their owner when they set off but were spotted in a neighbouring farmer’s field.

A rhea is a flightless bird native to grasslands in South America.

The largest ones can grow to 5ft 7ins and are considered near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Mrs Lamb’s first hatchling was born 18 months ago after hearing that they are good at chasing away foxes but since then has fallen in love with the species. There are now eight on her farm.

She is not sure why the birds ran away but said: “Hopefully that’s it now. My farm does border a public footpath so perhaps they were scared by dogs.”