Ashy carrion crow caught smoking in Bowthorpe Southern Park

And this rare ash-coloured carrion crow is certainly living up to his unusual colouring by puffing away on a ciggie. 

It might be time for Benson - snapped alongside his mate Hedges - to kick the habit once and for all. 

Robin Chittenden came across the patchy crow on the outskirts of the city in Bowthorpe Southern Park. 

The wildlife photographer from Norwich jokingly asked: "Could this look be due to its habit of smoking old fags?" 

Benson and Hedges (l-r) (Image: Robin Chittenden / SWNS) But offering a more serious explanation, the 64-year-old added that the look was more likely to do with the crow's DNA or diet rather than his 20-a-day addiction.

"It's a young-ish bird with two normal adult carrion crows," he added.

"It's exploring the world and accidentally picked up an old fag - they are inquisitive birds naturally.

"You do sometimes see carrion crows develop white or paleness as an indication of a very poor diet but I've not seen it like this before.

"It's probably more likely to be DNA-related.

"The feathers will moult again so it'll be interesting to know if it'll be black feathers or not."

One health expert suggested Benson should perhaps switch to discarded vapes, before trying nicotine gum to kick his habit.