Green cheek passed away and I don’t understand why

Hi everyone,

Last night I came home from work and did my usual routine. Eventually was time to give Sam his time so I picked him up and we hung out for about an hour. He played with a blanket I like to make caves on for him to explore, hung out on my neck picking at my ears and he even attacked my feet which is something he loves doing. I needed to do something so I put him back (he actually didn’t want me to put him back). He was on top of his cage wondering around then I realized his door was closed so I opened it and he went in. For about an hour he was wondering around and eating then all of the sudden he fell and landed on one of the bottom food plates. He had his wings wide open so I ran towards him to help him up and he would not move. Took him out of his cage and he started having what looked to be a seizure flapping his wings and screaming. Then it stopped he was still breathing but with his wings still spread out, had another seizure and finally left us.

I have had this bird for over 12 years. My heart hurts and my wife is also suffering so much. This morning I saw my cat (likes to play with him) looking for him at his cage it killed me.

Anyways I just wanted to see if anyone has had a similar experience. My wife took him to the vet to see if we can find some answers. He was a huge part of our family. I can still remember him playing just minutes before this happened. I’m sorry I keep saying random things now.

I'm so sorry and sad. It is so hard to loose them. Its especially hard with birds, if they are sick they will hide it right up to death many times. They evolved this way to hide being sick from predators, and from the flock who would banish them if they showed signs of illness.

What you describe is the process of death, its not a seizure that killed him , its how the body goes through passing. My GCC was much how you described, eating treats from me, playing, then an hour later going through all those things....that are hard to watch ... mine passed from a sinus infection of which I wasn't aware... but all her life she had a history of them .

Unfortunately with my career I've had to bear witness to many creatures passing, and with burds its often exactly as you described. Yes their can be an off chance it was an actual seizure..

I hope you can find answers. It can be a hidden illness or health issue, or a toxic fumes from space heaters or other things...its so hard to say.

Mine passed in her teens, and from research I've done the average life span for GCC is early teens . I believe zoo records have the average as 10 year's. Yes some can live much longer, but the average is teens. I hope that helps, it helped me.

I know how much it hurts and I'm so sorry.

Yoou have my condolences on Sam's passing. COnsole your self that he had many happy years with you and you have many happy memories of him.

Thank you guys. I can’t stop thinking I wish I would have hung out with him longer last night Maybe it would have happened anyways but he would have been having a good time with me instead of back at his cage when he actually wanted to stay on me. I’m terrified of finding out that his cause of death is something I could have prevented.

Its hard to bring this topic up, but for the well being of any future parrots, and for those who are unaware. As you mentioned you cat likes to play with your parrot . The saliva from a cat can kill a bird..

" Cats, dogs gerbils, humans…all mammals… carry a type of bacteria in their bodies that is referred to as “gram negative” bacteria. It is present in our body fluids and we are equipped to deal with it in normal amounts. Parrots, however, do not carry gram negative bacteria in their bodies and are not prepared to battle it.

Saliva is the most common way to transmit gram negative bacteria to parrots (who, hopefully, do not have access to any other body fluids from ourselves or our pets.) This means we should be careful when we kiss our birds and we should never let them eat from our mouths or our utensils.

The claws of mammals are often coated with gram negative bacteria. That means that if there is an attack, it isn’t only the bite that is dangerous to a bird. Any scratch, no matter how superficial it seems, must be tended to by a veterinarian immediately. "

Edit: not saying this is what happened, at all. Just highlighting risks of interactions between these species.

I'm very sorry.
Did you use any appliances or heaters/pots/pans containing teflon/ptfe/pfoa/pfcs? Non-stick pans are a big one, but it's also hidden in a lot of things that heat or are intended to be heated, like waffle irons, griddles, drip trays, air fryers etc..

Any fumes, air fresheners, plug-ins or unnatural cleaning products used to clean recently?

It could have been many things, and I hope you find peace. The ones I mentioned are common, but other things unrelated to those as well.

SO sorry...again..taking him to the vet was a good idea.

Turns out it was his heart. The exact name of what happened I can get in a bit. Vet said there is nothing that could have been done.

I'm still very sorry. SO hard to lose a family member...especially one that wheedles in the way that parrots do-- so sassy and awesome and loving. It sounds like he had a very good and happy life with you.

I know that doesn't make it any easier, but I am glad you got some closure, and I hope that brings you a bit of peace.

My deepest condolences for your loss of beloved Sam. I am certain Sam knew at the end he was deeply loved and gave so much in return.

As Laura stated, they are wired to hide illness, so there is little you might have done differently to prolong his life. I hope in time his vibrant memories shine brighter than despair and sadness.

My condolences on your loss of Sam.

So sorry, it hurts. Remember the good times.

Sorry for your loss. Hope you decide to find another feathered friend.

Sorry for your loss.


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I am so sorry!

Rest in Peace Sam.