ALL Graham Harwood wants for Christmas is the return of missing Max the macaw!

The pigeon-sized green bird was snatched from its cage - before later being offered for sale to a local pet shop.

Staff became suspicious and declined the offer.

Now, Max's owner is hopeful the thieves will show some seasonal goodwill and return the macaw in time for Christmas.

The bird burglars struck at the house off Chesham Crescent. Even Max's cage, in the kitchen window behind two sets of bars, wasn't a safe enough haven.

Mr Harwood said: "The thieves smashed the window, reached in through the security bars and pulled Max out of his cage.

"The thieves later telephoned a local pet shop offering the bird for sale, saying it belonged to a grandmother who had died. The owners were suspicious, however, and refused their offer."

Mr Harwood went on: " It's stupid really. These people see birds priced at hundreds of pounds in pet shops and think they're going to get offered similar sums for stolen birds.

"What they don't realise is that my bird has been with this family for more than 25 years, so he's not going to settle down with anyone else. Nor is he any good for showing. So they are not going to be offered anything like the sums they imagine.

"All they've done is caused me a lot of worry and terrified the bird. My main concern in all this is that they've been cruel to him, killed him, or just let him go in the cold. A a cat could get him, and all for nothing," he continued.

Max is green, with red under his wings, has a long green and blue tail and is much smaller than most macaws. He is very nervous and will attempt to bite if handled. He also has a very loud squawk.

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