The pigeon, confused and exhausted, landed on the flight deck of the HMS Queen Elizabeth.
The flight crew of the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier have been coping with a different set of wings – a stowaway racing pigeon.
The confused and exhausted bird, nicknamed Pauley, was found nesting in the hangar of the 65,000-tonne warship which is currently carrying out flight trials with jets off East Anglia.
The HMS Queen Elizabeth sails under the Forth bridges.
The pigeon was discovered as the crew were stowing the stealth jets from 617 “Dambusters” Squadron, based at RAF Marham, after a day of tests.
Technician Alexander Thomason said: “I was just putting the lashings on the jet when I looked up and saw this pigeon nestled behind the hangar gantry.
“It appeared pretty pleased to be there, if I’m honest. We’ve named her Pauley.”
The sailors managed to catch the bird and are now looking for a safe place for it to live on board.
