Flew the coop: Two exotic birds missing after break-ins at Moore animal sanctuary

Oliver is an umbrella cockatoo — a gentle bird known for doing tricks.

The Dunrovin Exotic Animal Rescue in Vass is asking for the public to "keep your eyes and ears open for our sweet friend."

Oliver has never lived out in the wild before, which has its owners concerned for his safety.

Jacob Seebode, a caretaker at Dunrovin Exotic Animal Rescue, said someone broke in on Thanksgiving Day while staff were off work.

The site homes nearly 200 rescues on U.S. 1 North, just north of Southern Pines

"We're not sure if someone was trying to steal him, or think he's trying to do the right thing by letting him go," he said.

Seebode said umbrella cockatoos — with their bright, white feathers — are very obvious to predators like hawks and eagles.

"Letting him go was not the right thing to do," he told WRAL News. Oliver also doesn't know how to forage for his own food, he added.

The owner of Dunrovin, Patrick Milcendeau, said this is the third time in just over a year that someone has broken into the sanctuary. An African Senegal parrot was stolen last year who was born without eyes, Milcendeau said.

A few weeks before the Thanksgiving Day break-in, someone tried to steal a macaw named Harley.

"A lot of these animals here have quite a bit of value," he said. "I think that may be part of the reason people are targeting and getting a bird or animal they can't afford."

The day after Oliver flew away, Seebode said staff at the rescue saw him across the street. A visitor spooked Oliver and he flew away from the rescue.

If someone finds him, Seebode said they should try to lure him using peanuts or almonds.

"We bond with all these animals and birds," Milcendeau said. "It's very difficult to deal with this."

Milcendeau asks that if someone spots Oliver to reach out to Durovin's Facebook page.