Elaine Murdoch with one of the cockatiels which were abandoned at the RSPCA home in York over Christmas.

Two cockatiels abandoned late on Christmas Day will have a fairytale ending to their tale of woe.

Staff at the RSPCA Animal Home in Landing Lane, York, found the pair in a box on the home's doorstep early on Boxing Day.

They believe the birds had been there all night. With them was a piece of paper which read "unwanted gift."

After treatment by a vet and a course of tender loving care at the RSPCA centre, the pair will have a new home in an aviary with all that a bird could desire.

"They were in a terrible state," said Elaine Murdoch, manager of the home. "It was freezing. They were really, really distressed. There was blood all over the box.

"We thought they had been fighting."

But, she said, the pair had bled because their wings had been clipped too short and they had been banging against the sides of the box.

"They didn't deserve that. All the people who left the birds had to do was knock. There is someone here all the time. It was a mean thing to do."

Elaine added: "We think they had possibly been there all night."

Staff immediately took the birds to a vet who treated them.

They are now building their strength back up at the RSPCA home.

"As soon as they get better I have got a home waiting for them," said Elaine.

The pair will be going to a bird-lover in the area who has an aviary complete with everything a bird needs.

It is not clear what sex the birds are, but it is believed they may be both female.

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