After loss of my Quaker...strange thing happened today...

My Quaker passed away a little over a month ago. I decided to go and visit with some adoptees, needing in my heart to give and receive love of another bird (non-specific species at this time). I was a little nervous stepping in the door, because I had gotten my Marley Quaker fom her in the past and know her. Yup, I walked in and she asked about him and I got through it without crying; a big hurdle for me. Anywya, not to continue on but the strangest thing then soon followed. I first stoped by a cage of some younger Quakers and she let me take each out and play with them a bit. Then I strolled over to a few cages with Quakers, a Green Cheeked Conure and a few other smaller breed birds. Once she left me alone with them and my son and husband walked to the other side of the room, I started to talk to them all. Here's the strange yet maybe mystical part... every single bird, every breed, every age all came to the closest part of their nearest to me. It was very odd. At first, I thought just coincedence, so I walked back and forth across the entire room. All of them followed me in unison and just softly chirped and coo'd. My sadness and nervousness of the loss of my Marley was put in a strange place of comfort. Maybe I'm just looking into it too much, but my husband and son walked in on it and were comletely blank faced in shocked, by behavior of the birds.
No matter what you believe in, something spiritual or something happened today and if nothing else I will believe that my Marley was a part of it.

Whether coincidence or spiritual, that is a very cool experience. I'm sorry for your loss. It's never easy to lose such a close friend, human or animal.

I've got chills ALL over my body!

IMVHO, Marley was there with you, every single step of the way.

What an incredibly, heartwarming experience. Thank you so very much for sharing this intimate and awe-inspiring encounter.

What an amazing experience for you! Marley is definitely watching over you <3

Marley is watching over you ! Just curious , do you think this might be a sign ?

Marley was probably sitting on your shoulders! Birds can read your emotions like all animals can. They know who will love and care for them no matter what. When my animals are sick, no matter which one, even though a few don't usually come to me as they prefer to be with my partner, but when they're sick, they come to me on their own. That's when I know something is not right, Bucky our Chihuahua did that tonight, my partner was letting the dogs outside and Bucky looked back at me and waited as he wanted me to come out with him. I've been medicating him for his allergies since this morning and he knows what I'm doing. He NEVER waits for me when he's not sick....lol....

When my Cracker the Quaker died in my arms at the age of 7, I took it pretty hard. I cried every single day for over a month, I hand fed him myself since he was a baby and one of the dogs I rescued mauled him right in front of me as Cracker was a escape artist as we were removing all the locks and such off his doors because we were feeding and cleaning. I was only less then 2 ft from his cage when he jumped and the dog got to him before I can. ALL my birds was being angels as I think they knew I was very hurt, even the dogs knew as they kept giving me kisses while I cried to myself thinking about Cracker. It still brings tears to my eyes talking about him....

Open your heart for another bird to come into your life as they will cherish your love that you can give them like you give to Marley.

I also think something special happened with you and the parrots today. I have had an experience while taking my RFM Valentino in for his well bird check up that was very spiritual as well. On October 7th my 17 year old Noble Macaw died of a heart attack. Freshly grieving my best friend and companion of over 17 years I took delivery of my RFM Valentino. I had been planing the arrival of Valentino for over a year and a half. Eventually after quarrentine the two parrots were going to be in the same room together and be able to see and hear each other. The idea was the two birds to keep company of each other when I could not.

This is what happened to me while I was waiting for the doctor and tech to come into the room. I had Valentino for only 4 days at this point.

I took Valentino to the vets for his well bird checkup and blood draw and arrived early so the technician took me to an exam room and explained to me I would have to wait for a bit because Dr. Blair was still in with another exam. I had set Valentino's carrier on the exam table and took a seat on the bench. He was not pleased with me not letting him out of the carrier right away and began to scream. I then inserted my fingers through the bars of the front door to pet him. He was comforted for that moment and he began to bob his head and he made that macaw hiss noise. In that moment when I saw him bob his head and hiss in the darkness of the carrier I saw my Mihijo. I stopped talking to Valentino and just looked at him and realized even though the past few days have been a bit tough I am very grateful and thankful to have Valentino my Red Fronted Macaw. I was extremely moved that for a brief moment Mihijo was there for me and in his own way wanted to let me know that it was okay for me to give my heart to Valentino.
Valentino then made his baby sound which he knows gets to me and I melted. I knew right then that everything was was going to be alright between us. He reached out with his talon and held my finger. After he let go of my finger I opened his carrier and he crawled out onto my hand so I petted him and talked to him. Valentino is a very confident parrot who does not seem frightened or stressed by new situations. As long as I was there with him he was alright. All though the exam and especially though the blood draw he did not stress, scream or freak out. I am very pleased with how he did. Valentino is an exceptional parrot and I thank him for helping realize some important things about myself.


After this happened I realized that Mihijo had visited me though Valentino. I do not think my mind was playing tricks on me because of the darkness of the carrier. I actually saw my deceased parrot inside the carrier instead of Valentino. It was only for a few seconds and I later had to dwell on the moment to understand what actually happened. Mihijo has always been there for me during the best of times and during the most difficult of times. His unconditional love has been a Godsend for me and once again Mihijo was there for me.


Sunday will be the end of week three with Valentino. I know the relationship between us will take time to develop for us to become close. Valentino has already displayed behavior that he is bonding to me and he trusts me more each day. To be honest it will take me longer to give my heart to my baby RFM. I am still grieving the loss of my Mihijo but never once do I regret getting Valentino.


No matter what kind of parrot you take home with you it will take time for you to greive the loss of Marley while you are forming a relationship with the new parrot. Do not beat yourself up for feeling this way. I know in time Valentino will have my heart as well. Right now I still need to deal with my loss.

When I lost my Jenday George after 6 years with him, it really tore me up. And now, with Hahnzel, my Hahn's macaw I see things in him, a head tilt, a mannerism, etc that takes me back to George. He was my "first love" if you will, my first parrot. I will never forget him nor do I want to.

As for the reaction of the birds, they understand a bond. They also understand emotional pain from the breaking of a bond, so its quite possible that they saw you like they would an injured bird.

Birdlover11 said:

Marley is watching over you ! Just curious , do you think this might be a sign ?

Click to expand...

Yes, I absolutely believe it was a sign, though now I'm wishing I had specifics...of what it all means. However, down deep I feel the overwhelming need to go ahead and get another bird to love and adore and that just possibly my Marley is on my shoulder bobbing his head and agreeing with me, hoping to help take away my pain and loss.
I have such a strong connection with all of my Fanimals(family/animals) and probably shouldnt have been so shocked when this happened,I guess. I'm so glad and thankful to hear your stories, from people that also have such a strong connection with their babies. We are all so lucky to have had a bond so close to our animals, that even in death the bond continues. Thanks you all for sharing with me.

Wow, thats amazing. I do feel that something special happened.

My cat, Peter died over 2 years ago and he was the sweetest animal (sweetest thing ever actually) ive ever known. He never hurt me in all his life, never hissed, never did anything mean at all. He wouldnt even lay a claw on my hamsters! (because, for some reason I was dumb enough to put them on his back!) I sometimes feel like Peter was an angel sent from heaven.
Last year on the 1st anniversery of his passing we went to where he was buried in the night. Every tree in that area only was flickering with fireflies. There were thousands constantly flashing in each tree. I cant even explain how amazing it looked! I always think it was a sign from him.
I think that told you you should get a new bird, Marley will always be with you but I think he would be happy if you got another parrot.

Ok well I went back to check out the adoptees that I visited the other day and the place went up in an uproar. I have never had a standing ovation, but I'm pretty sure that's what it must feel like. Any way I had my mind fairly set on getting the baby, (there were two of them), but I continued visiting with every bird there.... So I walked over to the sassy lil girl that I remembered the last time was so sassy and had been ther for the past year and a half and that someone had bought their child(which by the way I feel a Quaker is too much of a responsibility for a child) and then left it ignored and it ended up there. She was a little fiesty, but tonight she chattered at me (after of course she stated he ground) and once I gave her the mutual respect she so needed she gave me a look and head tilt, and I swear I saw Marley in her eyes and just for a minute her manner. I immediately had to hold her and was told she was sweet but hasnt ever taken to anyone. Well she then did a happy dance for me, that I was told she has never done. So I took her out of the cage and she snuggled right up under my chin. I scratched her head and she snuggled up and went to sleep. Then I had my son hold her and same thing.
It was no choice after that.That little girl chose me. I didnt have a chance, lol. Hopefully we will get to pick her up next week. She seems that she has so much to show and give as do I, and I can wait to let her show off her spunky spirit in our forever home. Marley definitely would love this little girl. By the way her name is Jezebel and she's a 1 1/2 year old blue quaker. I'm already in love!

Though still awaiting the arrival of Jezebel, my new adopted blue Quaker, I also got an adorable little Peach-faced Lovebird this weekend. His/Her (not sexed) name is BUKU, the West African God, and by some Goddess (doubly appropriate, since we don't know the sex of the little one), of The Sky. He's only been home since Friday afternoon and is fairly scared, but I'm very slowly working with him about 3 times a day holding him and constantly talk to him, near his/her cage.
I'm feeling some guilt getting the new "kids", but for some reason they seem to calm me, and lift me up a little bit. Birds are the most amazing creatures to me, so small, but so resiliant ad have the ability to emotionally comfort and heal with just "being". I'm so blessed by having these small wonders in my life!

This was so touching. It brought tears to my eyes as I remembered my beloved Pikachu (Cockatiel) who died April '12.
Marley was with you and the parrots could feel your sorrow and love. How beautiful.

Here she is! We finally got to bring our newly adopted Quaker home...Jezebel!

Yes I believe it was both spiritual and mystical. I am sorry for your loss of Marley but I think Marley was trying to tell you that it's ok to look for love again in another bird. Good luck and why not take em all home. LOL Good luck in your search.

I too believe you had a spiritual and mystical experience. Sonya Fitzpatrick, who is a very well know animal communicator, says that when our animals die, sometimes their spirit goes into our next pet. I wonder if Marley was on your shoulder, checking out his next little body, and the other birds could see it??? It would be interesting to see if your new birdy started taking on some of Marley's characteristics?

I'm sorry for your loss, but very glad that you are getting new birds! That will definitely help heal the pain. Jezebel is a gorgeous girl!

Wow...your story gives me hope for my own broken heart... Thank you for sharing.