Yoga-loving myna may have hitched a ride to Mangere

A charismatic bird that claims to be a yoga guru and has an extensive vocabulary is feared to have stowed away in a car.

Morris the myna is well-known around his Ponsonby home but has been missing since December 9. Posts on social media suggest he may have ended up near Mangere Bridge, about 15km away, or the Otuataua Stonefields.

Morris' owner Joy Glasgow, who reared the bird after he fell from his nest as a chick, is desperate to be reunited with her dear friend.

"He's really adored by an awful lot of people. He's very affectionate and comes and sits on your shoulder and talks to you, or he lies on his back and lets you stroke his tummy.

"When he hears our car coming you can hear him screeching his way around the house and he lands on the mirror to greet the car."

Morris has a remarkably extensive vocabulary, his favorite phrases being "where's Mika?" or "where's Jamie?" - the names of Glasgow's grandchildren.

Glasgow also practices yoga in her house with a group of friends, and Morris was always keen to get involved.

"We taught him to say 'I'm a reincarnated guru, Om', and he did. But in the end we dropped the reincarnated bit because it was a bit too long."

He also says "something yummy to eat", "are you a good talker-ter? And "whoop-de doo, John" - the name of Glasgow's partner.

Morris, who has always been free to come and go as he pleases, went missing once before about a year ago. He turned up in Remuera after about a week when someone spotted him landing on people in the street.

Morris has a tendency to get into people's cars and Glasgow feared that was how he ended up in South Auckland this time.

"I think what happens is trade people park on the street and leave their doors open and he gets in and they drive off before he's realised he should have gotten out.

"He knows all about getting into vehicles - he's been all over New Zealand with us actually. He's been to Dunedin and he's been to the snow and to Kaitaia in the north."

Glasgow said there had been numerous posts on social media by people who thought they had seen Morris around Mangere Bridge, with some people posting selfies with the friendly bird.

"I think he'll be quite stressed and he'll be struggling to find food, so I don't like our chances to be honest. But we're following up all leads at this stage and we won't give up hope just in case he does find his way back home - birds have amazing navigational ability so you never know."

• If you spot Morris email Glasgow on joyglasgow@hotmail.com