Goshawk nest sites are kept secret in the UK

Raiders bypassed an elaborate alarm system and broke through a shed wall to get at the 2ft high goshawk.

The theft took place at an aviary in Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool on Thursday.

The owner of the four-year-old bird, who does not want to be named, fears it could die from the stress of being taken from its usual surroundings.

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said raiders smashed the bird's perch and ripped away ties as they escaped with the animal.

Broad wings

In a statement released through police, the bird's owner said: "The goshawk is registered so it cannot be sold in the normal way.

"These people could release it back into the wild, but it could well become trapped.

"I would appeal to those who took the bird to get in touch with me as soon as possible and tell me where I can collect it."

There are currently about 300 pairs of goshawks in Britain.

They were originally called goose hawks and are similar in appearance to sparrow hawks, although they are much larger.

They have short, broad wings and a long tail. The under-parts of the body and tail are white and barred, and they have a bold white eye stripe. The upper-parts of the body are grey/brown.

They are not considered to be globally threatened, although they have been heavily persecuted and have suffered from loss of habitat due to deforestation.

In the UK, most nests are kept secret to protect the birds.