Baby budgies’ fate hangs in balance

BRAZEN thieves stole 45 budgerigars from the Toolangi Tavern over the weekend, leaving a flock of baby budgies in danger of dying without their mother.
Owner Michelle Marshall is in shock and said her husband was devastated after they discovered the theft on Sunday morning.
“They stole my aviary and stole all the budgies, leaving me with baby stock in danger of dying because the mothers were taken,” she said.
“They obviously couldn’t get into the breeding boxes and they left the love birds and the finches.
“They knew what they wanted.”
Mrs Marshall said the thieves must have been to the tavern previously, where patrons were able to admire the birds. “This is very personal to me, it’s a part of our life,” she said. “It’s taken the enjoyment away from us and our patrons.”
She said the young birds would be lucky to survive, “some will die from shock value”.
“We’ve consulted a vet about the babies and they were feeding each other last night, so we’re hoping that’s a good sign,” she said. Kinglake police Leading Senior Constable Ron Brown said the offenders must have had a trailer or ute, because they stole a whole aviary that contained 25 birds, and another 20 birds were taken from a second aviary.
He said it was suspected the offenders had headed down towards Healesville and appealed to witnesses who may have seen a suspicious vehicle. “Also keep a look out for anyone who is offering birds, or notice someone who has an aviary with new birds,” he said.
The theft of the green and white budgerigars occurred between 1am and 7am on Sunday 9 October.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call Kinglake police on 5786 1333.