ISTANBUL — Turkish authorities detained a bird on suspicion of spying for Israel but freed it after X-rays showed it was not embedded with surveillance equipment, newspapers said yesterday.

The kestrel aroused suspicion because of a metal ring on its leg carrying the words “24311 Tel Avivunia Israel,” prompting residents in the village of Altinayva to hand it over to the local governor.

The bird was X-rayed to check for microchips or bugging devices, according to the Milliyet newspaper, which carried a front-page picture with the title “Israeli agent.”

Ties between Turkey and Israel, long military allies, have been tense for several years.