They are among the most beautiful and attractive birds in the world and are usually found paddling in the remote mountain lakes of North America.

But the Wood Duck has made an unlikely home in a Birmingham canal. With its distinctive multi-coloured iridescent plumage and red eyes this adult male has certainly brightened up the inner-city waterway.

Their usual habitat is wooded swamps, shallow lakes, marshes or ponds in eastern North America, the west coast of the United States and western Mexico.

But this wandering waterfowl has taken to the mirky waters of the Birmingham and Worcester Canal surrounded by hotels, offices and bars. In fact, he has also been spotted wandering close to the trendy shops and bars of the surrounding Mailbox complex.

Bird experts say the sighting is highly unusual and mystery surrounds how the bird came to be found in the second city.

Spokesman for the RSPB, Andrew Waters, said: "Who knows how this fantastic bird has ended up in the Birmingham canal.

"You will see them in America but it is very very unusual to see them in this county. Its glossy green head, red and white bill and stripy body makes it one of the world's most beautiful birds so get out into the fresh air and see if you can spot this stunning duck, as well as our native wildlife in the heart of Birmingham."

Passer-by, Katherine Jackson, 34, said: "I came down to the canal with my son to give some bread to the geese and swans.

"Then I saw this fantastic multi-coloured duck with strange patterns on its face heading over. I have never seen a duck as pretty as this one before, we couldn't believe it.

"He has certainly added a bit of colour and sparkle - so lets hope he stays here."

Mr Waters says it would have been a "remarkable achievement" if the bird had managed to fly across the Atlantic.

He added: "You do get birds coming across from America but it depends on weather patterns and it is a very long way to travel.

"It is unlikely that it travelled all that way but if it had it's a remarkable achievement.

"Because the Wood Duck is so beautiful, people in this country like to keep them in collections so maybe this little fella has escaped and the canal was the first bit of water he found.

"There will be plenty of food for him around the canal so I imagine he is quite happy for the time being."

Wood Ducks, also known as Carolina Ducks, are one of the only species to perch or nest in trees and their heads bob back and forth when swimming which make them easy to spot.

Small feral populations of the Wood Duck have temporarily established in this country in the past but are not considered to be self-sustaining in the fashion of the closely-related Mandarin Duck.

They mainly eat berries, seeds and insects.