One lane of the M5 southbound at the M6 interchange was closed, causing six miles of tailbacks, as RSPCA officers took half an hour to capture the bird.

The swan had bruised its right wing and is now on a drip at the RSPCA's Birmingham Animal Hospital.

Veterinary nurse Scott Parry said: "It probably landed on the motorway because it confused it for a lake."

'Flying solo'

The six-month-old bird, which is now receiving medication, has a graze under its beak but there is no sign of any fracture.

The animal hospital is hoping the bird will be released back into the wild within a week.

Mr Parry added: "We don't know where the swan is from, but it's old enough to be flying solo and was probably flying between feeding grounds.

"Because it's wild it is important to release swans as soon as possible, otherwise they have to go to a sanctuary."

The incident happened at about 0830 GMT on Tuesday.