A HAWK nicknamed 'Houdini' escaped his Waddon home and has been on the loose in South Croydon all week.
The bird of prey is one of three Harris hawks belonging to Gordon Thompson, of Goodwin Gardens.
A one-year-old male, he magically escaped from his tether on Sunday (October 5) afternoon and has since been spotted in Brighton Road and Whitgift School.
Mr Thompson, 61, said: "I keep getting told he's been spotted and then when I turn up to the place, I've always just missed him by an hour.
"He's the first bird I've ever known to escape his tether, he's a bit of a Houdini really."
Mr Thompson, a heating engineer, said he is appealing on a wing and a prayer because the dark brown bird still has his 'jessies' attached to him, meaning he could get caught or tangled up in a tree.
He is also concerned the bird could endanger other birds or animals in the area and has already rung the RSPCA and told the council.
Have you spotted Mr Thompson's hawk? Contact gordonthompson1@icloud.com or 079403 59207
