Odd News Roundup: Puking bird wins New Zealand bird competition after John Oliver campaign; Lion sleeps it off after Saturday stroll through Italian town and more

Natsuki Aoki took her two Chihuahuas on a plane ride to Tokyo from the western city of Hiroshima so her fur babies could get a special blessing.

Following is a summary of current odd news briefs.

Puking bird wins New Zealand bird competition after John Oliver campaign

The puteketeke, a bird that pukes, grunts, growls and has bizarre mating rituals, won New Zealand’s bird of the century title in a competition where American-British comedian John Oliver's involvement has ruffled some local feathers. The Bird of the Year competition - billed Bird of the Century in 2023 to celebrate environmental organisation Forest & Bird’s centenary - is an annual event where people vote on their favourite New Zealand bird.

Lion sleeps it off after Saturday stroll through Italian town

A lion that escaped from an Italian circus has been taking well-deserved naps to recover from a Saturday night out in the seaside town of Ladispoli that sparked panic before authorities managed to recapture him. The adult lion, named "Kimba", escaped from the "Rony Roller" circus on Saturday afternoon and was on the loose for around seven hours before he was sedated with an anaesthetic dart.

Dogs don kimonos, receive blessings in place of children in aging Japan

A traditional ceremony for children is catching on among pet owners in Japan, where dogs and cats are receiving ever more attention amid the nation's plummeting birth rates. Natsuki Aoki took her two Chihuahuas on a plane ride to Tokyo from the western city of Hiroshima so her fur babies could get a special blessing.