The RSPCA is appealing for the owner of an American red-tailed hawk to get in touch after the bird was found in a garden.

The bird of prey was seen by a couple at their home in East Hagbourne, near Didcot, during the Easter weekend.

The following day, it was still in the garden and seemed reluctant to move when approached.

Concerned that the hawk was being attacked by garden birds, including sparrows, the couple called the RSPCA for advice.

Animal collection officer Lily Fontenoy tried to catch the dark brown-plumed bird, which was about 18in tall and which had a broken leash tied to one of the jesses around its legs. Ms Fontenoy found the hawk perched on a gatepost in the garden, where it flew on to a rabbit run.

Wearing special protective gloves and approaching the bird from a crouched position so that it did not feel threatened, Ms Fontenoy was able to catch the hawk easily by talking gently to it.

Unharmed, the female bird was taken to an expert at Padworth, Berkshire, where she is being looked after until her owner comes forward.

Ms Fontenoy said: "The fact that the hawk let me approach shows how tame it is and used to being handled by people. "The bird settled down quickly on my arm and appeared content simply to sit there and take in her surroundings."

Ms Fontenoy said she had recently completed a training course on falconry and the handling of birds of prey, which proved to be of great help in the situation.

"The hawk had obviously broken loose," she said, "and I imagine that someone is extremely worried about what has happened to her."

The RSPCA has tried without success to trace the owner. Anyone with information about the bird should call its helpline on 08705 555999.