Pampered Parrots Stolen From Shop Could Die Without Diet

Eight exotic macaws and other parrots stolen from a pet store may soon die without their special feeding schedule and formula, employees said Thursday.

The colorful birds, which are accustomed to a daily routine of a hand-fed, high-vitamin formula, are worth a total of $16,500, police Sgt. Tris Swan said.

Employees of Petland Huntington Beach at 10111 Adams Ave. reported that the birds were stolen between 11:30 a.m. Wednesday and 6:30 a.m. Thursday, police said.

“They will only last two days without their formula,” said John Therkleson, a store employee.

Although he would like to see the thief arrested, “the birds are the ones I’m really worried about,” said Therkleson, appealing for their return.

The 5-month-old scarlet macaw and 5-month-old harlequin macaw, each worth $5,000, have bright yellow, blue, green and red feathers, police said.

Also missing is a lilac crown parrot, a yellow-head parrot and four speckled Amazon parrots, store owner Lisa Switzer said.

A brown female boxer puppy was also stolen, she said. Police and Switzer said there were no signs of forced entry.

Switzer said the store is offering $1,000 for information leading to the return of the birds.

An alarm near the store’s fire exit was set off early Thursday, alerting police, she said. Police are trying to determine whether someone may have used a key or a crawl space in the attic to enter the store, she said.