The bird in question in "Car Thieves" is a European Starling. Originally not native to the New World, it was imported to Central Park, in New York City, the 1890's along with House (or English) Sparrows and the Rock Pigeons that are so prevalent in our cities today. They were imported by an eccentric American Tycoon millionaire, who had a passion for European birds. Birdwatchers have been cursing this man ever since, because by importing these species,(which have no natural enemies in the New World), he led to the near extermination of some native New World bird species, especially the Eastern Bluebird. These three species are unprotected by U.S. law and can be eliminated by ANY means necessary with no legal penalties or limits, as long as it does no environmental damage. That said, these three species are quite fun to watch as to their antics and behavioral patterns. In addition the Rock Pigeon has been a major factor in the comeback of the Peregrine Falcon in the New World, as they are the primary source of food for the falcons. I have personally witnessed a Perigrine catch a pigeon in mid-air in an explosion of feathers.

That's great Thorn,

Do you have any hunches as to why they were stealing quarters? Could someone have caught them and taught them that? It just seems weird that a bird would go to all that work to get something that is worthless to them and then put them on the roof.

To build a nest in the coin box? Seems if they were trained they would not have left the money on the roof they would have taken them to whomever had trained them. Don't know for sure just a guess.
Jimmy

some birds really like shiney things. We once had a bird that made its nest in a tree in our yard every year. There was always weird things like gum wrappers or tinsel in the nest. You'd see the occassinal coin in there too. I've heard that some birds will actually swoop down and take shiney toys that are left in a backyard!