Parrots worth £15,000 stolen from widow

Susan Mallin's parrots were worth £5,000 each.

The 66-year-old, of Park Village, Wolverhampton, owned sulphur-crested cockatoos Rupert, Rolf and Moluccan cockatoo Annie for more than 20 years.

The birds were a present from Susan's late husband, Ron, who died in December 2010, aged 60.

He was a prize bird breeder.

Mrs Mallin, who describes the birds as her 'children' said she last saw the birds around eight weeks ago.

She said: "I went out to the shops, as I usually do, and left each of the birds in their cages.

"When I came back from shopping the cages were torn open and the birds weren't there.

"I'm devastated, I really am, they were like my children. I can't talk about it without getting upset.

"I spend around £10 to £15 a week, making sure they have a correct specialised diet; buying them fruit, vegetables and nuts. I also buy them plastic toys once a fortnight from the charity shop.

"My nerves are shot to pieces at the moment. I can't sleep or eat, they were keeping me going in a way."

Mrs Mallin immediately reported the parrots' disappearance to the police, but she hasn't heard anything since.

She continued: "They're quite rare birds and the value has gone up even more since I bought them as they are hard to buy in the UK.

"I bought them originally through an advert in the Express & Star off a man called Terry in Sutton Coldfield, who's sadly no longer with us.

"They still say his name occasionally – they also say hello to me in the morning, goodnight before I go to bed and they pick up things off the TV all the time, so it's almost like talking to a person.

"I hope whoever's taken them is looking after them." Now she is appealing for anyone who may have seen the birds to contact her or the police.

"I just want to know what's happened to them," she said. "The thought that they may be hurt or lost haunts me."

Police are investigating the theft. Anyone with any information is advised to contact West Midlands Police on 101.