A man who allegedly stole three baby birds worth almost $2,000 from the Paterson Bird Store in Totowa has returned them.

A store employee tells News 12 New Jersey that the man left them at the front door of the store Thursday night and then ran off. With the birds was a note saying that the man acted alone and was pleading for forgiveness.

"It says 'Hi, I pray you accept my apology. I am so sorry for my negative action. Please, the lady and the boy have nothing to do with this. They have no knowledge of my negative action. I am very ashamed of myself. Please, this is between you, me and God,'" employee Arianna Mendoza read.

The birds were taken to a veterinarian to be checked out. They were reportedly malnourished, but are expected to be OK.