THEY say birds of a feather flock together but no one told Gwent’s most famous rhea – who after three days on the loose is now back in the company of its partner.

The five-foot-tall bird seized its chance to wander when someone left a gate open at Ffynnon-y-Gwaed Farm, near Blackwood, where farmer Sean Hughes reared it with its mate.

Mr Hughes, who also keeps Alpacas and goats, noticed the 10-month-old was missing on Saturday but thought it may be sheltering in bushes sitting on an egg.

He and his team searched the farmland but found nothing and worried it may have been stolen or killed by a fox.

But Monday afternoon, while listening to the radio, he learned of his pet’s newfound celebrity status on the fairways of Bryn Meadow Golf Club, not far from the farm.

It took him around an hour to catch the animal, named Bird One, who he says is normally very tame but doesn’t like being cornered.

He said: “He wanted to stay down Bryn Meadows where he was being fed by the golfers.

“There’s plenty of grass there, lakes for him to drink from – he was being spoilt a bit so he really didn’t want to come from there.”

Despite a small cut on its face, the bird, whose gender has not yet been established, is apparently no worse off for its trip away and was glad to be back with its partner.

Mr Hughes added: “They were happy when they were reunited, they were like little children in the field having a play – it was a pleasure to watch.”

Although the farm is not an open farm, Mr Hughes said people were more than welcome to meet and feed the birds.

In the future he plans to keep a range of rare animal breeds, including ostriches.