Greg Bird flown the coop?

The ongoing saga of Greg Bird reached a new level yesterday with reports that the disgraced Cronulla Sharks utility has fled the country.

Bird has reportedly taken off to the USA to be with his American girlfriend Katie Milligan, despite being subject to an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) which prevents him from making contact with Milligan.

The AVO, issued in New South Wales, cannot be enforced in the USA. But should Bird meet with Milligan, it could land him in trouble upon any return to NSW.

The former Test and State of Origin star has been charged with recklessly wounding Milligan in an alleged glassing incident in August. Milligan unsuccessfully applied to have a police-instigated AVO lifted last month.

Bird had recently been involved in two alleged incidents since his banning from the Sharks club in August.

The allegations included Bird abusing passers-by, reportedly several Sharks supprorters, from the balcony of his Cronulla flat last week.

Several days later, Bird reportedly got into the back seat of a strangers car and demanded to be taken to a pizza shop. The driver and his passenger recognised Bird and apparently obliged, driving Bird to a takeaway nearby.

In a year of drama, Bird's season began with an alleged assault on a woman at a Cronulla nightclub in January. That case is before the courts.

In a separate incident last June, Bird was arrested by Queensland police for erratic and abusive behaviour outside a Brisbane nightclub. No charges were laid.

Bird faces three charges over the alleged altercation with Milligan on August 24, and is due to appear in court again on November 20.

The Sharks board are expected to decide Bird's future with the club next month.