They stole Christmas too.

They took Tango, the store's four-year-old macaw, in a raid at 9pm on Christmas Day.

With Tango went all sense of festive cheer for the store's manager, Tracy Abbott, who is devastated by the theft of the dazzingly coloured long-tailed parrot.

"Tango is our pet and we love him," Ms Abbott said. "He'd talk to us all day and people would come into the shop just to see him. Customers have been coming in and asking about him."

Tango has an estimated value of $6000-$8000. Ms Abbott believes he was stolen to be sold on the black market.

The security video footage shows that the thieves were targeting Tango alone.

They ignored other highly-valued animals and even cash before making their getaway in a white van.

Ms Abbott said Tango had been at the back of the store and would not have been visible from the street.

"It had to be someone who'd been into the store previously," she said.

"They could have taken the rag doll kittens that are valued at $1000 each, but they walked right past them to get to Tango's cage.

"It's pretty clear that they weren't there to steal just any animal.

"Nothing was taken from the till either."

Tango has one toe missing on his right foot which got caught in a key chain awhen he was young.

His catchcries include "Hello Tango" and "What are you doing?"

He's also fond of yelling out "Tash" and "Trace," which are the names of the pet shop workers who love him so dearly.

Ms Abbott is eager to hear from anyone who may know where Tango is.

Details to Parramatta Petsville, 9630 0251.