Pet shop owner stressing over stolen birds

NEW YORK, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Martha Stewart's animal-care expert squawked after thieves broke into his Parrots of the World shop in New York and stole 45 pricey parrots.

Police said the thieves broke in early Tuesday, taking birds valued at roughly $60,000, the New York Post reported Wednesday.

Store owner Marc Morrone is a regular guest on Martha Stewart's television and radio programs as a pet expert.

He said the thieves brought their own cages "but they left them here and just took mine. At least the birds weren't ripped out of their cages."

Morrone said he was concerned about the birds' safety because many are young and require special diets and care.

"If they get too stressed out, they die," he said. "And I'm sure they are stressed out right now."