A traveller was caught with 14 live birds strapped to his legs under his trousers, customs officials said today.

US customs agents at Los Angeles International Airport discovered the birds under Sony Dong's trousers.

According to a Department of Justice officers searched Dong, 46, and 'found bird feathers and droppings on his socks, as well as birds' tail feathers visible under his pants.'

The subsequent search 'discovered 14 live birds attached to two flat pieces of cloth that were wrapped around his calves'.

Dong and accomplice Duc Le, 34, both from California, were trying to smuggle Asian songbirds into the US from Vietnam.

The birds included three red-whiskered bul-buls (which is listed as an injurious species under federal law), four magpie robins and six shama thrush.

The birds each appear to have been placed in sleeves that were hooked on to the cloth around Dong's legs.

Dong told investigators that he purchased birds for $50 each and re-sold them for $300-$400 each.