Brodie Mark Hodgson, of Weston Street, pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property in relation to the rare and expensive birds, which were taken in a break and enter on a remote property in Quorrobolong.

Unknown thieves stole two scarlet macaws and two blue and gold macaws from an aviary in Wollong Street between May 13 and 14 this year.

Police estimate the value of the birds to be $50,000.

Hodgson was attempting to sell three of the birds for $6500 when police arrested him near Kurri Kurri McDonald’s at 8.20pm on May 20.

The court heard that the offence was committed while Hodgson was serving a two-year good behaviour bond for breaking into the Australian Reptile Park and stealing two exotic lizards and a Burmese python on January 15 last year.

On that occasion, Hodgson and two juveniles scaled a fence and smashed through a window to gain access to the reptile enclosure.

Once inside, Hodgson stuffed a New Caledonian gecko into a pillowcase and draped a 2.5 metre Burmese python around his neck.

One of the juveniles grabbed an iguana before the trio fled the scene.

Hodgson told police he intended to keep the animals as pets but had released the python into the bush at Weston because it was getting too big.

He was nine months through the two-year good behaviour bond for break and enter when he was found in possession of the three macaws.

Police said they heard loud chirping coming from the back seat of his car and found two macaws in a backpack and another under a clothes basket.

They arrested Hodgson and charged him with receiving stolen goods.

Magistrate Sharron Crews adjourned the matter until October 26 when Hodgson will appear in Newcastle Local Court.