Thieves who raided a pet farm near Cavan town escaped with one of its most exotic exhibits - a two-foot long talking macaw.
A spokesman at Cavan Garda station said that the crime took place some time between 8am Tuesday and 10am Wednesday.
"We are appealing for assistance from the public and dealers in exotic animals in seeking the return of the parrot which was stolen from a pet shop in Moneyhall," he said.
"Stolen with the bird was a rectangular cage which is brown and gold in colour. The owners have valued the bird at €2,000."
The spokeman said that he understood the blue and yellow parrot can utter a number of words very clearly but he had not been told what it says.
The advice is if you hear a parrot talking in a high, nasal voice, contact Cavan gardaí at 049-4368800.