With a reputation to rival Rod Hull's Emu, it's hard to imagine anyone wanting a tattoo of Ringo the bad-tempered grey crowned crane on their arm.

But Caisa Karlstrom, 23, from Sweden has had the aggressive bird immortalised on her arm in a huge, colourful tattoo.

Western Morning News readers will be familiar with Ringo due to award-winning wildlife photographer Richard Austin's story about the bird's violent attacks on his keepers Jayne and Andrew Collier at Axe Valley Bird and Animal Sanctuary, Axminster.

Caisa, who lives in Stockholm and works on cruise ships, saw Richard's photograph of Ringo in a Swedish newspaper and took it off to a tattooist.

She said: "I love Ringo's eyes.

"They are so intense. He looks so crazy that you just have to love him."

Referring to the size of the tattoo, Caisa said: "A guy with such a beautiful face deserves a lot of space.

"When people see Ringo on my arm it makes them smile.

"And then they wonder why I did it.

"I would love to come over to Devon to meet Ringo in person.

"I feel like I owe him a big thank you for lending me his beautiful face, especially since the tattoo got so much attention."

Tattooist Stina Nyman said: "Ringo has touched a lot of hearts here in Sweden. When I first saw the picture I laughed out loud.

"I think the tattoo took four hours to do. It has got a lot of attention from people who have seen him.

"Ringo is truly a character to be loved."

Jayne Collier, 39, said: "We were extremely surprised to think that news of Ringo had made it over to Sweden and even more surprised that someone would have such a big tattoo of him on their arm. He's got the most fabulous, piercing blue eyes and yellow feathers on his head that make him look punky.

"Maybe that's what this Swedish girl liked about him.

"He is around 5ft tall, has a sharp beak and can be very aggressive.

"On one occasion Ringo attacked my husband Andrew and left him with a fat lip.

"I have to use a bin lid to protect myself when trying to feed him. You'd think he'd be grateful as we're trying to look after him but he's having none of it."

Grey crowned cranes come from Africa and are used to warmer climes.

The Colliers think Ringo's violent outbursts might be because he is single.

Jayne said: "He really needs a mate and we're in the process of trying to get one for him. If all goes well she could be with us in a few weeks.

"Although he's aggressive he's very popular with visitors – and clearly he's impressing them in Sweden."

Richard Austin said: "Ringo has got such a menacing face that spells trouble."