The nameless cockatiel was taken from Petland at Kings Meadow on Tuesday, unbeknownst to owner Brent Worsley.

But as the sun was setting on Wednesday and Mr Worsley was closing shop, an unknown woman approached him and handed him a shoebox.

Inside was the four-month-old bird, alive and well.

“Last night, as I was going home, a young girl just gave me a box with a bird in it,” he said.

“I didn’t ask any questions.”

The girl then turned around and walked off into the night, Mr Worsley said.

Despite the happy ending, the 20-year owner of the store admitted the theft could have been avoided.

“I showed some birds earlier to people and I didn’t lock the cage – which is a bit of a cardinal sin.

“People who know birds, you could scruff it and put it into your purse or bag. (I’m) just a bit upset and annoyed at myself.”