A rather unusual celebrity has been spotted hanging around in Broughty Ferry.
No, it isn’t Bob Servant, but Moonstone the barn owl who has been turning heads while out for a walk in Dawson Park or perched on a barrier outside her favourite coffee shop, Caffe Nero.
Young and old have been taken aback to see her up close and some even take the opportunity to pet the 14-month-old bird, owned by Mark Dickey and Steph Chan.
They say their pet is perfectly tame and even enjoys being the centre of attention during their outings.
Mark said: “Any time the weather is good we go out. She loves the attention.Quite often the girls in Caffe Nero tell us customers have been asking if the owl will be coming in today.”
Moonstone is fed on dead mice and chicks and Mark said: “She tears off the head and eats it from the inside. An owl is not a pet for the squeamish.”
The couple got her from a rescuecentre after she was given up by herprevious owner who decided the owl was an unsuitable pet for their child.
Steph, who has had an interest infalconry since she was young, said: “These birds are not supposed to be kept in cages. So many people have seen Harry Potter and think they can but it is the worst thing.
“It is a born killing machine, notsomething you give to little kids.Every day we try to get her flying in the garden as much as possible and give her the best quality of life as possible.”
At home, Moonstone “rules the roost with an iron claw,” according to Steph, but the couple had to work hard to build a bond of trust with her.
Steph added: “She doesn’t like theCoronation Street music but she always has a bit of a dance to Downtown Abbey.She likes to be on my shoulder and she snuggles in and combs my hair.
“She can be a right madame whenpeople are taking her photo and if she gets wetit takes ages to get her dry so she’s not happy.”Broughty Ferry cheeseburger magnate Bob Servant is not happy about being knocked off his perch by Moonstone. Read his angry reaction to the bird’s new-found fame only in Saturday’s Courier.