Who is stealing owls? Spate of bird thefts across West Midlands

Over the course of six weeks more than a dozen valuable birds of prey were stolen in the course of three raids that also saw an owl killed, while two barn owls were taken from a home in Cannock.

Although there has been no suggestion from police that the raids are linked, experts say valuable birds are often stolen to order and can end up getting shipped out of the country.

John Hayward is the coordinator of the National Theft Register (NTR) for exotic animals, a service he set up to compile a database of stolen animals and birds, including birds of prey.

He said the rate of thefts of high-standard birds currently being reported was unprecedented in the 20 years since it was set up.

The former police detective says the thefts were 'highly unlikely' to be the work of opportunistic thieves.

"Over the years we have dealt with many thefts of falcons and other birds of prey, including owls of all species," he said.

"Such birds are highly sought-after. They are often stolen for resale value or commercial work. Sometimes we see them placed in private breeding programmes to produce youngsters, again for resale.

"Sometimes they can end up being taken out of the country to mainland Europe, which of course seriously limits the chances of them being reunited with their owners.

"It is worth remembering that this type of crime does not go on all the time.

"There is always the possibility that the recent break-ins in the Midlands could be connected and could well be the start of a new series of specialist bird thefts.

"It is extremely rare that such birds are stolen on spec. We can only consider with the current spate, that owls and other birds of prey being taken to order."

The Owl and Falconry Centre in Shifnal, on the outskirts of Wolverhampton, was hit twice in the recent raids.

A pure saker falcon, a tribred falcon, a gyrfalcon and a pair of barn owls were among the birds stolen at the start of October.

Tragically a burrowing owl was killed during the break-in at the centre's outdoor aviary.

But less than six weeks later thieves struck again, snatching two barn owls from the same enclosures.

Bosses at the centre, which was based at Halfpenny Green Vineyards until earlier this year, estimate the value of the stolen birds to be more than £8,000.

One of the owls seized was returned after a woman from Bushbury came forward with information, but the others are still missing.

The centre may be forced to close as a result of the raids. Head keeper Karl Law – who handed in his resignation at the centre due to emotional distress caused by the thefts – said he believes the birds were stolen to order.

The answer, of course, is that nobody would, it would take a special kind of idiot to steal an owl, writes Pete Cashmore.

Or, indeed, any living thing.

Or, indeed, anything at all.

What is annoying about this spate of owl thefts is that there is a certain, very twisted, logic to plotting to steal them.

Owls have lately become the go-to creature for anyone wanting a quick fix of cuteness.

The smaller ones, like the burrowing owl callously killed in one of the raids on the Owl and Falconry Centre in Shipley, are little squat grumpy-looking things with big eyes, and so have formed the template for all manner of tat, like owl-shaped cushions with big round button eyes, salt and pepper shakers in the shape of owls that cuddle up to each other, or just kitschy wood-carvings that stand sentinel over you while you sleep.

Owls are like the pugs of 2015. But if you're stealing them to sell on as a family pet, let me tell you, you're hooting up the wrong tree.

Because they're also living breathing things with a very specific temperament, as all birds are, very specific needs and very specific conditions in which to be handled and housed.

Scared birds can become sufficiently traumatised that it never leaves them, and they end up pulling their feathers out or self-mutilating.

Call me cynical, but I suspect that the persons who are targeting owls – and it may well turn out that it's the same operation in all cases – are not going to have the best interests of their hostages at heart in terms of storage, care and upkeep.

Owls require a large, purpose-built aviary, which is again something that not many common criminals have in their backyard. More to the point, they are, especially in the case of barn owls, the species seemingly being targeted, natural predators with extremely sharp talons.

Owls reared in captivity will also form a deep bond with their handler, on account that they rely on them for food. And once they have imprinted on their handler, they treat other humans as threats, competitors or – and this is where you really need to be worried – something with which to mate.

You put all this together and you've got a very dangerous animal. Make no mistake, owls in captivity have taken eyes out with their claws.

So if you are thinking of selling a stolen one to a child as a pet, don't.

More to the point, if it's you who happens to have stolen any recently... Be afraid.

In between times a family was left devastated after two barn owls were pinched from their home in Bridgtown, Cannock, in what police described as a 'targeted theft'. Raiders smashed open the doors to an aviary in Tracey and Stuart Clenton Smith's garden and made off with the two hand-reared owls.

"It's difficult to put a precise value on any birds of prey," added Mr Hayward.

"Criminals will often target exhibition-standard birds that are bred to appear at shows. The market value of birds that have been trained can drastically increase by many hundreds of pounds. They can be very expensive to replace. This has clearly had a terrible effect for the Owl and Falconry Centre because the birds are an integral part of running the business."

Police in Staffordshire have urged bird owners in the area to take extra precautions to protect their birds.

Pc Pete Clarke recommended that owners ensure sheds and outbuildings are as secure as possible. He added: "We are continuing to work with partners and rural communities to drive down rural crime."

Mr Hayward said that due to the increasing numbers of thefts there was an argument birds should no longer be kept in outdoor aviaries.

"Our advice is that all bird keepers and centres be particularly vigilant and beef up security," he said.

"Ideally birds should be kept indoors where they can be better protected.

"We advise the installation of CCTV cameras and specialist lighting, which can help with identifying offenders. We also recommend that all birds should be identifiable, either with closed rings or microchips."

Wildlife experts say the birds taken during the thefts could have been placed in mortal danger.

Jemima Parry-Jones, CEO of the International Bird of Prey Centre, said: "These birds are extremely delicate and you have got to know what you are doing when handling them.

"They need to be weighed every day to make sure they are getting enough food. If they are not properly fed they can develop a stress-related disease, Aspergillosis, which can kill them.

"Anyone who steals birds is an idiot. They are putting the birds through a very traumatic situation."

It's not just birds of prey that have been stolen in recent weeks. Earlier this month 76 prized pigeons were lifted from a shed in Burntwood.

Anyone with information on bird thefts is asked to call police on 101. The NTR can be reached on 07802 404929 or via email at ntr@supanet.com