Four budgies were put down after they were found dumped in alleyway in a “terrible state”, too ill and weak to fly.

The birds were found huddled on the floor between Buttercross Lane and Rayfield in Epping at about 2.30pm last Friday (February 5).

They had feathers missing and were in a “very poor state of health”, according to the RSPCA.

A passing member of the public took the budgies home and called the charity.

The birds were taken to a specialist centre for help, but were so unwell that a vet decided to put them down to prevent further suffering.

RSPCA inspector Lucy Brennan said: “We are urging anyone with any information about how these poor birds came to be left like this to call us.

“They were found in a pile on the ground in a terrible state.

“All seemed underweight, two were missing large patches of feathers, and none of them seemed to be able to summon up enough energy to even attempt to fly.

“We don’t know how they came to be in such a poor state of health, but they had clearly been neglected even before they were just left for dead in an alleyway like this.

“There is no way they would have survived on their own like this if this kind passer-by had not stopped to help, especially in the weather we have had recently.”

Two of the birds were male, blue and juvenile.

Another was a grey female, and another a green male.

Anyone with information should call the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.