Black market in rare birds suspected in northern district

A BLACK market for rare and expensive birds is operating in the northern district, warns Eastwood resident Ian Sheffield president of the Parrot Society of Australia (NSW).

Ten of his exotic birds were stolen from the aviary in the backyard of his Eastwood home while he slept about a month ago.

A pair of breeding Alexandrines, their three baby Alexandrines, one immature male Alexandrine and two breeding pairs of Plum head parrots went missing,

"I was just devastated when I walked outside and they were missing," he said. "The value of the birds varied, but to me they were priceless."

The estimated value could exceed $60,000 in the bird's breeding lifetime," he said. "The big thing is the dollar value is there because we can't import them anymore. So we have got to breed good ones from what we have."

Police are investigating the theft of birds from residential aviaries or cages over the past six months.

Continued:  http://northern-district-times.whereilive.com.au/news/story/black-market-in-rare-birds-suspected-in-northern-district/