A Queens man pleaded guilty yesterday to sneaking 13 finches through JFK by stuffing the songbirds inside hair curlers.
Terrence McLean, 36, admitted he lied on US Customs paperwork to hide the fact that he had stashed the illegal birds in a carry-on suitcase when he flew to New York from Guyana in August 2006, authorities said.
Prosecutors claim McLean’s feathery travel companions were headed for singing competitions in Queens parks, where bettors win money on the best chirpers.
McLean drew suspicion when inspectors found grass seed in his luggage — but he denied he was carrying anything illegal.
The accused bird smuggler sang a different tune once authorities discovered the finches — and he admitted to planning to sell them for up to $100 each, court records show.
McLean still denies knowingly exporting protected wildlife from South America and is set to face trial on the misdemeanor charge today in Brooklyn federal court.