Whistling birds help police nab thieves (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Whistling birds help police nab thieves

A Swindon cockatiel taught 11 fellow birds to whistle the theme tune to Laurel and Hardy and helped assist in the arrest of suspected thieves.

The birds, which were stolen from an aviary in Salisbury last month, were rescued by police after a member of the public heard them whistling the distinctive tune.

The cockatiels first developed their unusual trait after their owner bought another bird from Swindon.

The owner, who has asked not to be named, said: "I bought a bird from a man up in Swindon when I was working there one day.

"The bird had previously been kept in an indoor cage and its owner had taught it to whistle Laurel and Hardy.

"When I brought it down here and put it in the aviary soon some of the other birds started to whistle as well."

The cockatiels went missing last month prompting Wiltshire Police to appeal for people to listen out for birds whistling the tune.

They received an anonymous call on Thursday from someone who had heard the distinctive call in the Bishopdown Farm area of Salisbury.

Police later recovered eight birds and a stolen cage from the address and a 33-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of theft.

If you taught the clever cockatiel to whistle the theme tune or if you know the owner call the Evening Advertiser newsroom on 01793 528144.