I am posting an article that was posted else where but thought it is relavent to all of us. I have heard of pet stores being hit by these type of theives but assumed stupidly that they were looking for babies that they could sell quickly. It is just one more thing we should be aware of. here is the link TheStar.com | Canada | Stealthy burglars pilfering parrots

That is very scary.
Thankfully Budgies are not targeted. - I shouldn't make a joke but I do feel a bit safer than if I had a bigger bird.

It saddened me a lot to hear about the thefts. Those poor people must be heart broken. I read something similar on another board where a member lost her 2 large parrots this past fall - later found dead. It hurt a lot.

There is no way we can stop them - they are too clever. Best to have a low profile.

Can or are larger birds micro chipped? Pardon my ignorance.

Jac - My two macaws are chipped. I have even chipped a bird as small as a sun conure....with no issues whatsoever.

I live down a private drive and am very careful about whom I call to the house, in terms of service people etc. Most people that can hear the birds, would have no clue how to find them as you can't readily tell how to get to my house when you are below it in the valley. I pitty the poor fool that would try to take tiki... she would turn a stranger into hamburger in two seconds flat. Also, there is someone at my home, almost 100% of the time, which is reassuring. I do take precautions with showing to whom I have birds... scary stuff indeed.

Each clutch seen as a moneybag according to that article.... too bad GOOD breeders barely break even, and crooks breed for money.

Cool - however on another forum - the Ontario one I am also on, a member pointed out if they steal them for breeders they may never be found............it is depressing. But if found I guess you stand a chance of recovery.

Yes I pity the fools - not!

A word of caution. My dad has had 2 separate thefts of his sheep over the years. We attributed it to people who'd been over, with those we knew [they just couldn't resist - even tho my father gave their fiends a good deal] I guess the cattle were too big & scared them. We even lost a dog - killed by those types. My father has tried to be careful too but it is next to impossible to hide a farm.

I hope you stay safe.

If anyone EVER tried to take my birds they would be looking down the nose of my not so understanding companion! And Id use it! When we move to rural land we plan to take major precautions for unwelcome visitors. And once again, Im not afraid to protect what is mine. If some fool is unlucky enough to get in, they wont be leaving.

I feel the same way Leigh. I target shoot regularly, and I'm a good shot, while I would never want to hurt another human being... if they're in my house threatening my safety, my family's safety, or my bird's safety.... that's another story.

Go Tiki Go!!! hahaha I figure I could follow the blood trail that Ruby would cause too! Seriously, I do worry about that. We had an alarm system that was broken but when I got Ruby, I had that fixed. I wish someone would invent a tracker device that we could put in the birds. I would pay dearly for that!

Oh you guys! I can almost see your blood bubbling.

Easy - calm yourself. I know what you mean & probably dream you could do - but lets face it, it probably is a dream.

I used to live in the country & although I adore it - it always spooked me; being isolated. The city has its own problems - translation: more possibilities of meeting someone unsavory.

Just review your precautions OK? I think someone said profoundly - 'any scrape you get out of alive, is a good day'.


Geeeeeeeeeeeez you've got me all worried you'll end up in a gun fight! - or in jail. or worse.


PS - an officer told me to carry spray glue instead of pepper spray. It's legal & impossible to get off their face [just make sure it's working & you can actually work it in a panic] - so it still is self defense instead of assault with an illegal weapon.