Boy bites off bird's head

Police are investigating an incident in which a youth allegedly bit the head off a live bird.

According to the Timaru police, the 16-year-old Geraldine boy recorded himself on his cellphone.

Timaru police constable Chris Hill said the video appeared to show the boy stroking the beak of a live bird in his hand, before he bit the head off the bird, throwing both the body and head twitching to the ground.

South Canterbury SPCA manager Barry Brother said the alleged incident was disappointing.

"You just get some silly people doing some silly things and sadly its not always just young people."

The matter was brought to police attention by a former friend of the boy, who showed the video to Mr Hill.

It was impossible to tell when the video was recorded as it had no time and date attached, Mr Hill said.