A HOUSEWIFE got a shock when she saw an unusual bird from Asia in her garden.

Sarah Winter was looking through a bedroom window at her home in Berrylands, Orpington, when she spotted what she thought was a toucan.

She managed to get a photograph of the bird as she knew friends and family would not believe her.

The 30-year-old then sent the picture to News Shopper and we in turn asked the RSPB to tell us what it was.

After a quick check, they said it was an Oriental pied hornbill which usually lives in Thailand and Indonesia.

RSPB officers say they are certain it has escaped from captivity and has not managed to fly to the UK.

A spokesman said: "It could not have made it here on its own steam.

"In the five years I have worked here it is one of the most impressive exotic birds I have seen, especially to be flying around Orpington."

Mrs Winter said: "I have never seen one before, so I didn't really know what it was. My neighbour thought it was a toucan at first and I knew it wasn't an eagle, as I have seen one before. I was so frightened of it."

What have you spotted in your garden? Let us know at newsshopper.co.uk/interactive