But the pelican is likely to be the subject of a different type of attention later when a bird protection team tries to catch it.

Experts originally thought the bird was an escapee from a sanctuary in the Isle of Man, but after contacting the operator that possibility has been dismissed.

The pelican, which normally breeds from southeastern Europe through Asia and in Africa, was first spotted yesterday among a herd of swans.

Bob McCurley, of the Angus and Dundee Bird Club, captured a shot of the bird in flight this morning.

He suggested it could have travelled north from England where a similar unusual sighting was recently reported.

Scottish SPCA spokeswoman Doreen Graham said the bird’s presence in Scotland was extremely rare.

“It is very unusual to see one here, but we did have one before when a pelican visited a pub in Aberdeen,” she said.

Ms Graham said later the pelican might prove difficult to capture since it is clearly in good health.

She added, “It will be having a ball, especially if it has been in captivity.”