Burglars broke into a bird-keeper's shed and stole dozens of canaries and hawks.

A Harris hawk was among the 50 caged birds stolen from keeper Janet Jeffrey.

Mrs Jeffrey, 49, is desperate for the return of her birds, especially the hawk, a bird of prey named Rebel, which she reared and trained.

She has recruited friends to search the Newhaven area "from dawn to dusk" since the theft in the early hours of Friday last week.

Rebel was her first and only bird of prey. It had its third birthday on Wednesday.

Posters with a picture of the brown and red bird have been put up in shops and along footpaths appealing for people who might have seen the bird or been offered it for sale to come forward.

Mrs Jeffrey said: "I'm absolutely devastated because it's like losing part of the family. It's like losing a dog because Harris hawks bond to you like a dog. I don't have children so these birds are like my family and I want him back because he's so special. I'm not worried about the money - I just miss him.

"I was going to give him a special evening meal for his birthday. I know it sounds really silly but I do get attached to my animals."

The bird of prey is larger than a crow and has a longer tail. It has an almeri, which is like an anklet, and two black straps hanging from one of its legs, known as flying jesses.

The tracker fixed to it has proven unhelpful in the search.

Mrs Jeffrey and her husband Tony, 42, breed, rear and show birds as a hobby and are members of numerous clubs, including Hailsham District Bird Club.

Mrs Jeffrey said there had been about five thefts of canaries in the area in recent weeks.

She said: "The burglars came totally prepared. They knew exactly what they wanted and had all the equipment they needed. They cut through the fence in the garden. The dogs didn't hear a thing and we also have security lighting.

"We have phoned absolutely everyone to do with falconry. There have been people out from dawn to dusk searching for him."

Canaries can be sold in pet shops for about £25 while young Harris hawks have price tags of up to £350.

Sussex Police received a reported sighting of a bird of prey in the Eastbourne area later last Friday morning but the Jeffreys were unable to locate the bird.

A police spokeswoman said: "Police are investigating the incident and we appeal to members of the public who have any information or who have been offered the birds to contact us."

Anyone with information should call the Independent Bird Register on 0870 6088500 or the police on 0845 6070999 quoting serial number 220 of the 21 April 2006.