Just lost my nearly 31-year-old DYH Amazon.

I got my Amazon parrot, Gabby, right around my nineteenth birthday and he was with me for nearly all of my adult life. Back in February, he suddenly became ill and despite the best efforts of avian vets, he died of kidney failure. Dr. Brian Speer couldn't even tell me why his kidneys failed, so I don't even know exactly why he's gone. If you've ever shared a pair bond with a parrot, you know what I'm feeling right now.

I didn't have any other parrots, but I can't see myself as parrotless for the rest of my life. I'm here to catch up on advancements in parrot care and behavioral modification before I decide to adopt another feathered friend.

I imagine I'll just browse until I feel I can respond. Thanks in advance.

First of all, sorry for your loss. I lost a 38 year old blue fronted amazon, that was one of my most bonded birds ever... lost that bird to a tumor.

Dr. Speers was my vet for close to 20 years. He's a great vet. It's hard to say, definitively why a bird's liver or kidney gives out. It's something that can happen. Sometimes it's diet related. Sometimes it just happens.

And yes, I know how it feels to lose a bonded bird. I've lost several now in my lifetime... It is almost like losing a child. It hurts!

I'm so sorry for your loss, just wanted to send my condolences. i'm sure you provided a wonderful life for your feathered friend.

Oh, my dearest new friend!
I relate!
I got the Rb in college... I'm now retired...
I do hope he preceeds me in death, so that I can see him safely into eternity, but...
I fear it so.
You are in my heart tonight.
I'd say more but I'm overcome.
Thank you for sharing with us.

Birdman666 said:

First of all, sorry for your loss. I lost a 38 year old blue fronted amazon, that was one of my most bonded birds ever... lost that bird to a tumor.

Dr. Speers was my vet for close to 20 years. He's a great vet. It's hard to say, definitively why a bird's liver or kidney gives out. It's something that can happen. Sometimes it's diet related. Sometimes it just happens.

And yes, I know how it feels to lose a bonded bird. I've lost several now in my lifetime... It is almost like losing a child. It hurts!

Click to expand...

Yeah, Dr. Speer is a great vet. He told me it wasn't my fault, but of course I feel guilty. My mind keeps saying, "If only I had ______." Gabby's feather condition was great and a month before he died, I had my mother film a few impromptu tricks in preparation for a better video that never happened. Gabby loved to perform and he knew many more tricks than the few shown here. I posted the video before he died, so I messed around with the video software and made the intro too long. Oops. Fast forward about thirty seconds in. The last trick was everyone's favorite, but for obvious reasons, it has a double meaning now. It hurts to watch.

It's done nothing but rain here until the past few days, so I haven't had a chance to bury my baby. It's the last physical hurdle, but I'm sure it's not the last emotional one.

[ame="https://youtu.be/W3iIAQIcK5Q"]Gabby the Amazon Parrot's Last Performance - YouTube[/ame]

I miss him so much. I don't know what losing a child feels like, but yes, Gabby was like a child to me. I would do anything to have him back, but that's not how life works.

P.S. I am so sorry about the loss of your blue front. I bet it still hurts. I can't imagine getting over Gabby. Perhaps the pain will lessen, allowing me to remember how wonderfully funny he was and how he got me through some really rough times.

Very sorry for your loss!

We care for very special Amazons and have seen far more than any one households fair share of losses, if there was ever anything fair about a loss. There isn't!

Over the years, I have come to believe that as Amazons are creating an every larger space in our hearts, they have secretly created a small space for another.

Take your time and Let The Parrot Choose You!

I offer you this Segment (Pray): “Passing of a Feathered Friend,” which is part of the I Love Amazons - ... Thread found in the Amazon Forum.

As this Thread may likely exist far beyond my involvement in All Things Amazon. I believe that like the leading Segment of this Thread, a lasting testimony (Pray) to the Amazons that have shared our home, expanded our Love, and Understanding of Amazons should be part of this work.

It is not an issue of not wanting to visit and more importantly providing words of support as part of the Bereavement Forum, but my own difficultly in fully facing our many losses over the years. It is a reality of what we have committed ourselves too and each loss returns us to that clarity. When one opens their home to the very sick and very poorly cared for, losses are part of the commitment. I ask not forgiveness, but understanding of not often enough in sharing your grief. For those of you who loss a Loving Feather Family Member, I offer you this Pray “Passing of a Feathered Friend,” that we provide our Loved Ones!

This Segment is Rated: To be Read in the company of close Friends and Family.


May Pease find and stand with you as part of your loss my friends…




Passing of a Feathered Friend
Provided By: Steven (SailBoat), November 2016


“All of us feel such deep sadness when our Parrot friends die, and because they are Animals and not Humans, we are at a loss for words. Often, it is only other Parrot owners who can understand the depth of the loss that we feel with this complex, loyal, and loving creature. Resulting from such a loss, I have placed feelings and emotions into words and found verse to console the loss of my Cleo and since her, other sweet Amazons, in turn; I hope it will speak for all of you.” - Steven

You left this world so quickly. I can hardly comprehend your leaving. Yet there, in my hands, your still body rested — no longer your home. So much I have learned, so much you have taught, your purpose a full measure beyond your size. Comprehensions of your loss still a mist but yet, I know you are whole and happy - now beyond Rainbow Bridge. And so busy you must be upon your green wings, guiding angles to those of us yet to cross. With in my ear, I still hear you, those special sweet sounds of comfort and contentment:

“Do not stand by my grave and weep my friend.
I am not here. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the gentle summer rain.
When you wake in the morning hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry my friend.
I am not there. I did not die.”

My pray for you my beloved feathered friend:

“May your body nourish this earth.
May your soul find release and contentment.
May you fly high and free upon wings of spirit.
Rest in peace little green one.”

The love and tender warmth of you is a un-full-fill-able void.
I do so much thank-you for creating a space for another, a special place next to yours’.

In remembrance of Cleo, (Estimated) Spring 1959 - May 2003

Amazon’s Have More Love!

I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
I lost my OWA last December. He was a wild caught bird and not strongly bonded to me but I cant look at a picture of an OWA without feeling the pain like it happened yesterday.
texsize/wes

What a beautiful bird! What a painful loss to endure...there is something about that relationship. They are so intelligent, and while they aren't humans they offer their full parrot presence in a way that few humans do. They are little and defenseless and much like children, and to lose such a companion is indescribable to someone who has never known that bond. The pain never really goes away, but after enough time it begins to give us a little breathing space. We lost our 25 year old BFA Oliver almost a year ago, and I still can't believe he's gone. And I was just the step-parront...be kind to yourself...you know in your heart that you did right by Gabby. There's no way you could have known, nothing that would have changed the course of the river. It isn't in our power. You loved him and gave him a good life and it's obvious that he loved you too.

Oh I'm so sorry! This kind of loss is a life moment for sure. You never totally get over it, but you learn to go forward.

Please keep posting and when you're up to it, let us know what feathered love finds their way to you.

My deepest condolences for your loss of Gabby. The strength of the parrot-human bond is so enduring it is little wonder the depths of our grief. There will come a time your remembrance of dear Gabby will be more with love than despair.

Thank you, everybody, for being so kind. I should have known parrot people would understand what it's like to lose one of these amazing little creatures. A pair-bond is something you really can't explain to someone else. To me, Gabby was a person: smart, funny and adorable. He was such a good bird and I was so lucky to have him in my life.

To each and every one of you who responded to this thread, THANK YOU. Your treasured words helped me go a little further in my grieving process. There will be more tears. How could there not be? Gabby was one of a kind. We will never see his like again. (((((Gabby)))))

GaleriaGila said:

Oh, my dearest new friend!
I relate!
I got the Rb in college... I'm now retired...
I do hope he preceeds me in death, so that I can see him safely into eternity, but...
I fear it so.
You are in my heart tonight.
I'd say more but I'm overcome.
Thank you for sharing with us.

Click to expand...

We have very similar stories, except I wanted and even expected Gabby to outlive me. I worried constantly about what would happen to him. An old living will was no longer up-to-date. The friend I'd appointed his caretaker is now dying of heart failure. I was getting ready to draw up a new living will.

I definitely need more parrot people in my life. I know how much you must love your Rickeybird. I was in college when I got Gabby. He got kicked out twice due to noise, but TBH, the students were much noisier and at least Gabby was quiet at night. Also, the bird turned out to be a better friend. I'm very lucky he was a part of my life.

I hope you and Rickeybird share many more years of that special bond. I'm sure you do not take him for granted. Much love to the both of you.

SailBoat said:

-snip-

“Do not stand by my grave and weep my friend.
I am not here. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the gentle summer rain.
When you wake in the morning hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry my friend.
I am not there. I did not die.”

My pray for you my beloved feathered friend:

“May your body nourish this earth.
May your soul find release and contentment.
May you fly high and free upon wings of spirit.
Rest in peace little green one.”

The love and tender warmth of you is a un-full-fill-able void.
I do so much thank-you for creating a space for another, a special place next to yours’.

In remembrance of Cleo, (Estimated) Spring 1959 - May 2003

Amazon’s Have More Love!

Click to expand...

Thank you for this. <3

I am so sorry for your loss! Your baby had a good life!

I'm very sorry that you're having to go through a loss like this, it is very much like losing a child. I don't have any "human" children, but I have always treated my pets better than a lot of humans treat their kids, so I don't differentiate between the two, to me they're the same. And once you form a bond that strong with any living creature, it hurts more than anything when you suddenly lose it.

I'm glad that you decided to join the forum, it's full of not only very knowledgeable and experienced bird owners, the members are also very caring and supportive. I lost one of my pet ducks last week in a horrible situation. He was only a little over 2 months old, but I'd had him and his brother since they were a week old, and I'm still in shock over the entire thing. His brother and I are helping each other get through this loss, but honestly I felt so much better after I posted about it here on the forums. I immediately had an outpouring of support and fellow members telling me they were here for me...This forum is unlike any other internet forum that I've ever been a part of.

Please do not hesitate to post anything at all you want to at any time. Ask any questions you may have, answer any questions you can help with, and please don't feel nervous about commenting, no one here is going to tell you that you shouldn't be talking. I've been on forums like that many times before, where you feel you have to just watch and listen, and feel that you're not "qualified" to be heard. This forum is the exact opposite of that, so I hope you can feel comfortable and at home.

"Dance like nobody's watching..."

Ladyhawk said:

Thank you, everybody, for being so kind. I should have known parrot people would understand what it's like to lose one of these amazing little creatures. A pair-bond is something you really can't explain to someone else. To me, Gabby was a person: smart, funny and adorable. He was such a good bird and I was so lucky to have him in my life.

To each and every one of you who responded to this thread, THANK YOU. Your treasured words helped me go a little further in my grieving process. There will be more tears. How could there not be? Gabby was one of a kind. We will never see his like again. (((((Gabby)))))

Click to expand...

We understand because sadly many of us have had similar loss. It is a trauma akin to the passing of a human precisely because we have broken the species barrier of mourning. I nearly broke ties with a very close relative upon hearing the dreaded words "you can always get another." No, I can't. Our relationships with beloved avians are far deeper than qualities of speech and dependence. Only those who have love and lost can best comprehend the emptiness.

We are here for you in whatever cathartic manner is desired!

I'm very sorry for you he was beautiful and obviously loved you very much even from that short video. My eyes are wet a very touching and loving community. Best of luck my prayers are with you; and I hope you are able to make a new feathered besty when the time is right.