Have You Seen A Scarlet Macaw? $8,000 Parrot Stolen From Omaha Pet Store

Citizens of Omaha should be on the lookout for a stolen parrot, police say.

The bird, an $8,000 baby Scarlet Macaw, was stolen from the Elm Street Pets R Us store around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday evening (December 10).

Bystanders observed a Black man enter the Pets R Us and take the Scarlet Macaw from its enclosure before leaving. His exit was captured on the store’s surveillance footage, and witnesses described him as having short dreadlocks and wearing a gray hoodie and black hat, KETV reported Friday morning (December 11).

To store workers, bringing the baby parrot back is urgent to ensure it’s cared for appropriately.

"This baby is still hand feeding three times a day,” store employees explained. “We need your help getting him home to receive proper care.”

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service describes Scarlet Macaws as “iconic animals,” native to tropical forests in Mexico, as well as Central and South America. The agency has supported conservation efforts with grants. Scarlet Macaws typically live up to 50 years in the wild and up to 75 years in captivity, according to the agency.

“Soaring through the canopy, these large parrots fill the forests with their loud vocalizations, crack nuts and unripened fruits with their powerful beaks, and spend hours preening the feathers of their lifelong mates,” the agency describes. “For centuries, humans have admired these birds for their intelligence and beauty, characterized by bright red, yellow, and blue feathers.”

Photo: Getty Images