Andrew Seed's collection, hidden in his home in County Durham, was one of the largest in private hands, and included scores of eggs from endangered species.
Among them were three osprey eggs taken from protected nests in Scotland where the RSPB and other agencies have fought a long battle to keep thieves away.
Seed, 45, also sent emails all over the world offering cash for rare eggs, such as those of the whooping crane, which is down to only 400 known pairs.
He admitted 15 charges at Durham crown court, including illegally importing wild birds' eggs and buying or offering to buy others.
Police who raided his home near Crook found 2,000 eggs kept all over the house, to the irritation of Seed's wife.
"She is eternally grateful that the collection has been taken away," said Nick Cartmell, in mitigation for Seed, who worked as a housing officer for Darlington borough council until his crimes came to light.
"She no longer goes into sock drawers and cupboards wondering what she will find inside."
The court heard that Seed was one of a small, intensely dedicated group of egg collectors, whose knowledge and love of the subject blinded them to the danger to rare species.
Cartmell said that while Seed's wife was relieved, he himself felt the confiscation "as a bereavement."
He had inherited the fascination from his father and grandfather, who collected before wildlife protection laws outlawed the practice.
Cartmell said: "At one time Scouting proficiency badges were handed out to young boys who collected birds' eggs.
"It became an obsession. His collection was one of the greatest in this country, with eggs going back to 50 years before he was born. The practice only became illegal in 1975."
Seed was caught after his employers found more than 5,000 emails on his work computer, bartering with suppliers of illegal eggs.
Although he never sold any from the collection, he made references to prize items being worth up to £10,000.
Stephen Orange, prosecuting, said that victims of the trade included rare parrots, falcons and vultures.
Seed was sentenced to nine months' jail suspended for two years and ordered to pay £3,600 costs.
His collection has been confiscated. Judge Peter Armstrong told him that he had encouraged the illegal trade by "marketing yourself as willing to import eggs from protected species".
Guy Shorrocks, investigating officer for the RSPB, said after the hearing: "Mr Seed was part of an international birds' eggs smuggling ring. We are satisfied with the outcome of the case but rather disappointed that he avoided custody."
Martin Wainwright
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/may/07/birds-eggs-smuggler-avoids-jail
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