My oldest parrot passed away

February 26, 2020, 10:31 PM

And I’m not one to post about pets that have passed..but this bird was a wild caught adult parrot that was gifted to me. Imagine all that he went through: the capture, shipping to the U.S., the quarantine, the shipping to a pet store in an environment completely unlike his own, then to be chosen by my boyfriend as a Christmas gift to me in ‘89. He went through 5 homes while he lived with me, learned a different language to communicate, thrived, and loved. He was an amazing bird, and my heart is broken. I will miss him forever.

February 26, 2020, 10:37 PM

Ronin1069

I am so sorry for your loss, thank you for showing that bird such love.

February 26, 2020, 10:37 PM

BadDogPSD

Very sorry for your loss. Sounds like you loved and took great care of him. With time, the pain will fade, and you'll cherish the memories.

February 26, 2020, 10:39 PM

midwest guy

As a bird lover I am sorry for your loss.

February 26, 2020, 10:41 PM

CQB60

The loss is incredibly hard for sure. I regret your pain & the emptiness you feel. Thankfully, the pain From the loss will dim but the joy of having that parrot never will

February 27, 2020, 01:05 AM

arfmel

My condolences on the loss of your friend.

February 27, 2020, 03:10 AM

Marlin Fan

My condolences on your loss. What type of was it?

February 27, 2020, 04:12 AM

BurtonRW

RIP, Good Bird.

-Rob

February 27, 2020, 06:37 AM

sigsuby

Sorry for your loss.

February 27, 2020, 06:39 AM

irreverent

Thanks, guys. Sometimes the hardest part is saying it out loud (or keying it and making it public).
Marlin Fan, he was a redmasked conure (nowadays, they call them Cherryheads). He was taken from Ecuador or Peru as an adult, and I had the honor of living with him about 31 years, but he was definitely older. He reminded me how resilient and intelligent birds are.

I can’t imagine his terror about the changes in his world; from the jungle to be put in a big cage with predators all around him, then be shipped up north. It took weeks to get him to take a treat, longer to come to me and perch. Overcoming all that, learning to trust, to speak our language (he was a great talker for a conure), and thrive. Amazing. I remember my vet didn’t know what a quarantine band was (my boyfriend had no idea, either), but at the time I’d wanted it off because I knew what it meant, and he was getting it caught on the cage bars. I wrote all the band info down somewhere, lost long ago.
I’ve had all my birds for roughly about the same time frame, but my others were domestically bred and African. I’ve wondered for a long time how long they’ll live. I guess I’m also sad because I’m starting to see the end in sight, and I don’t know what I’ll do without my birds. And I don’t know what they’ll do without him. He was their fearless leader, the undisputed boss of the birdroom. Even now, one of greys is mimicking his morning calls, talking like him, and waiting for him to answer. geez.
They’ve been my companions my entire adult life, there for all the ups and downs, losses and gains, watching everything come and go along with me.
Thanks for letting me ramble, guys. I appreciate it.

February 27, 2020, 06:44 AM

Sig2340

He came from a Paradise, traveled through Hell, arrived at another Paradise, and has now flown home to, you guessed it, another Paradise.

My condolences on the death of such a companion.

February 27, 2020, 08:47 AM

vinnybass

Please accept my condolences, I'm sorry for your loss. It must be very hard for you after thirty-plus years.

February 27, 2020, 09:30 AM

jhe888

I am sorry to hear it.

February 27, 2020, 09:46 AM

midwest guy

quote:
Originally posted by irreverent:
Thanks, guys. Sometimes the hardest part is saying it out loud (or keying it and making it public).
Marlin Fan, he was a redmasked conure (nowadays, they call them Cherryheads). He was taken from Ecuador or Peru as an adult, and I had the honor of living with him about 31 years, but he was definitely older. He reminded me how resilient and intelligent birds are.

I can’t imagine his terror about the changes in his world; from the jungle to be put in a big cage with predators all around him, then be shipped up north. It took weeks to get him to take a treat, longer to come to me and perch. Overcoming all that, learning to trust, to speak our language (he was a great talker for a conure), and thrive. Amazing. I remember my vet didn’t know what a quarantine band was (my boyfriend had no idea, either), but at the time I’d wanted it off because I knew what it meant, and he was getting it caught on the cage bars. I wrote all the band info down somewhere, lost long ago.
I’ve had all my birds for roughly about the same time frame, but my others were domestically bred and African. I’ve wondered for a long time how long they’ll live. I guess I’m also sad because I’m starting to see the end in sight, and I don’t know what I’ll do without my birds. And I don’t know what they’ll do without him. He was their fearless leader, the undisputed boss of the birdroom. Even now, one of greys is mimicking his morning calls, talking like him, and waiting for him to answer. geez.
They’ve been my companions my entire adult life, there for all the ups and downs, losses and gains, watching everything come and go along with me.
Thanks for letting me ramble, guys. I appreciate it.

When I saw he was a Cherry head that reminded me of the documentary The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill. A good film on the feral Cherry head group in San Fran.

February 27, 2020, 11:14 AM

Keystoner

I've only heard of the special bond between *rescued* dogs and their owners. With how smart parrots are, this must have been the same or more. With as long as you had that bird, I know you have tons of good memories to take comfort from and smile about.

February 27, 2020, 11:17 AM

ChicagoSigMan

RIP, little guy.

What kind of bird was he? I'd love to see a picture if you'd care to post.

February 27, 2020, 11:24 AM

ensigmatic

I'm so sorry for your loss. You have my condolences

My wife had a parrot when we first met. Paco. That bird was a trip

.

Unfortunately, when she started going to school, while still working a full-time job, she was no longer able to provide him the companionship such a bird needs to remain sane. He began to become destructive--to himself, to her apartment, and toward her. It broke her heart to have to do it, but she traded him to somebody who could give him the attention he needed and deserved, in exchange for a pair of cats.

(And that's how we both ended-up becoming cat people.)

February 27, 2020, 02:07 PM

germandogs

So sorry to hear that. I had the honor of having a Blue and Gold Macaw for a lot of years. He would call my bird dogs by name and they would come and sit at his his kennel.

He loved to play with them in the den on the floor and was the boss. It always seemed strange that they would hunt and point wild birds but they treated him like he was the head of their dog pack.

Again sorry for your loss.

February 27, 2020, 06:35 PM

irreverent

Thanks again for all your kind thoughts and remembrances, guys. I will have to look at that movie when I’m a touch less melancholy..I’ve heard of it, but never watched it, because I had that living in my home, hah!
I will try to post a pic or vid in the near future.. a favorite is when he and my son were playing a version of hide and seek and both were laughing. He so very much liked to engage with my son. He was a complete clown and loved being the center of attention. I appreciate you all letting me share, because very few people in my real world even know I have birds. I’ve always been extremely private about them, just protective, I guess.