A PARROT with pretty blue language has vanished after thieves swooped on his Hampshire home.

Paco, an African grey parrot, who is just over one year old, was still in his brass cage when he was snatched from his home at Boyatt Wood, Eastleigh.

He's worth £900 but his 35-year-old owner, who declined to be named, is hoping that whoever has taken him will treat him well.

He said: "Paco has been with me since he was a baby and is a real character. "He does say hello but the majority of his vocabulary are swear words which are not printable. "He is a bit vicious and he could give anybody a good nip. But once he gets to know you he is quite friendly."

His owner believes that Paco might have been taken at night time. "When it's dark he is at his most docile and the cover was half way over his cage. So he probably would not have made much noise and my neighbours did not hear anything."

Paco's toys were still in the cage which has a brown base and wheels and is worth £300. His owner returned home to find the parrot, which has a red tail and pure black beak, and cage had vanished from its window position.

"I was very upset and I do not really think it has sunk in yet," he said.

Eastleigh police are anxious to hear from anyone who has information which will lead to Paco's safe return. They should ring 08450 45 4545.