A butcher bird keeps an eye out.

A butcher bird keeps an eye out. Contributed

THREE days ago a crime took place and the perpetrator has flown the coop.

Early in the morning Gympie resident Ron McTaggart experienced a case of daylight robbery.

After his usual morning walk Mr McTaggart was preparing to eat a hearty breakfast his wife had prepared.

Before he tucked in, he took his new tooth out.

"I took my tooth out to eat my fruit but then the phone rang," he said.

"When I came back it was gone."

Before he went inside, butcher birds were liasing on the veranda and it would seem it wasn't the food they were after.

"After I came back out, it was gone.

"I know exactly where I put it on the table and it had to be them."

The cunning birds took flight before Mr McTaggart came back and apprehension of the offenders will be difficult.

"They have a nest over the railway across the road.

"I've searched everywhere but it's gone.

"Now I'm left with a big gap in my teeth."

Mr McTaggart's tooth cost $700 and it will be another three months before a replacement is ready.