A rare baby bird was swiped from a Denver store Tuesday, and the bird’s owner is frantically trying to get her “Baby” back.
Linda Madone rescues and nurtures rare birds, including a pair of African Grey Congo parrots, who after about 10 years accomplished the unexpected: They had a baby.
The hatchling is a rare feat for African Greys in captivity, Madone said.
The parents, Sweetie and Scotty, who are about 20, nurtured Baby for about 8 weeks. Madone recently began feeding the young bird herself to ensure it would get used to people.
“I do this for the love of it, helping these birds,” said Madone, who currently has eight birds at home.
Madone, who works as a 911 operator for the Denver Police Department, was getting help raising Baby from her friend, Karen Goodman, who owns a Denver business, the African Grey Bird Store, at 974 S. Monaco St.
Baby was at Goodman’s store at about 1 p.m. Tuesday when someone stole the fledgling bird, which is worth about $1,500, Madone said.
“It’s so rare, they knew what they were going for,” Madone said. “They had to know.”
Baby was on a special diet and could be in peril if the bird doesn’t receive tender, necessary care, Madone said.
Police are investigating the theft and, because of the value of the parrot, felony charges could be possible, said Sonny Jackson, a police spokesman.
“This is a very expensive item; it is not something to be taken lightly,” Jackson said.
Investigators also are concerned about the well-being of the parrot.
“Whoever took the bird took it perhaps without knowing how to care for it. It’s a concern,” Jackson said.
Madone is hoping Baby will be returned. The parrot can be dropped off back at the store, no questions asked, she said.
Anyone with information on Baby is asked to call Madone at 303-949-5507 or Denver police at 720-913-2000.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com
