Exotic bird theft is a global problem that has only increased in recent years. Not only is this a problem for bird owners, who must take precautions to protect their pets from theft, but for the victimized birds as well, many of whom suffer due to their captor's lack of knowledge or negligence.

While bird theft is a frightening thing to envision, it is important that bird owners not only take precautions to decrease the risk of their pet being targeted, but that they also formulate a plan of action for recovering their pet in case he or she is ever lost or stolen.

Follow these tips to help make sure that you are doing all you can do to prevent the theft of your pet bird.

• Consider a security upgrade. If there are often times when your home must be left unattended, you may want to consider adding an alarm system, or, less drastically, a few extra locks on your windows and doors. This can be particularly important for those who live in apartments or condominiums where neighbors may be able to hear the bird inside your apartment.
  
  
• Think like a crook. Take a look at your house through the eyes of a thief. Is your bird clearly visible through any doors or windows? Would any of those doors or windows be easy to pry open, or do they look secure? Anything that you can do to keep a thief from targeting your home can only help to reduce the odds that someone will attempt to steal your bird.
  
  
• Let there be light. Making sure that your home is well lit can go a long way toward preventing burglaries. Thieves look for dark places where they can hide in the shadows, so a well lit house usually won't make the cut when they are searching for a target. A good idea is to get an outdoor motion sensitive light to "keep watch" over your property. Crooks hate them!
  
  

• Watch your mouth. We all like to brag about the wonderful things that our feathered friends can do, but you should take care not to divulge too many details to those who you aren't familiar with. It's easy for bird thieves to attend bird fairs, for example, and obtain vital information about someone's birds through what seems like nothing more than a friendly conversation between enthusiasts.
  
  
• Always keep your eyes open. Bird theft can occur anytime, even if you are at home with your pet. Always be on the lookout for suspicious people prowling around your house, and don't leave your bird's cage outside unattended. Aside from the risk of contracting health problems including Bird Flu, a caged bird left alone makes a good target for a bird thief.