final update

[Francie Mae]

hey guys. terrible news. not sure how to describe what I’m feeling.

i was going out the back door like i always do. he tried to fly on my shoulder. i put him back and went to go out the back door again. he’s scared of the back door because there’s a big fan that blows when it opens to keep bugs out, but i still don’t open it widely because i know he can fly. his wings were supposed to get trimmed this weekend + harness training. he flew out. i don’t know how i could’ve been so stupid; i didn’t leave the door open wide but he got through. i shouldve walked out the door waving my arm around or something so he wouldn’t try to land on me. i didn’t waste any time and i got on the roof barefoot and in underwear. i called for him. we all did. he cried out in response but just kept circling, going higher. two hawks showed up because of course they did. they chased him. he was screaming. we lost sight of him. i went out looking while my parents drove around calling for him, talking to neighbors. one neighbor said they saw two hawks take a white bird into a tree. there’s no way we could get up there even if we called the fire station or something. i still want to try to ask them but my parents said they wouldn’t help us.

he was my baby. he is my baby. this has all happened in the span of the last hour and a half. he was supposed to be with me for the rest of my life. i love him so, so much. i can’t stop screaming and crying and i needed a place to talk about it because I have no idea what to do with this grief. this can’t be happening. his feathers are scattered through the house. there’s a rubber band on the floor that he destroyed. i hear my dad moving his cage because i can’t look at it without sobbing.

he’s gone. my baby is gone and I don’t even have a body to bury. i’m so, so sorry. i’m so sorry, grim.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Oh MY GOD! How horrible! Poor baby, both you and Grim.
I suggest grief counseling. You're going to need it. My heart cries for you.

 

[PrimorandMoxi]

i cant read but you are in shock.
Trauma.

prayers to you.

 

[LaManuka]

hey guys. terrible news. not sure how to describe what I’m feeling.

i was going out the back door like i always do. he tried to fly on my shoulder. i put him back and went to go out the back door again. he’s scared of the back door because there’s a big fan that blows when it opens to keep bugs out, but i still don’t open it widely because i know he can fly. his wings were supposed to get trimmed this weekend + harness training. he flew out. i don’t know how i could’ve been so stupid; i didn’t leave the door open wide but he got through. i shouldve walked out the door waving my arm around or something so he wouldn’t try to land on me. i didn’t waste any time and i got on the roof barefoot and in underwear. i called for him. we all did. he cried out in response but just kept circling, going higher. two hawks showed up because of course they did. they chased him. he was screaming. we lost sight of him. i went out looking while my parents drove around calling for him, talking to neighbors. one neighbor said they saw two hawks take a white bird into a tree. there’s no way we could get up there even if we called the fire station or something. i still want to try to ask them but my parents said they wouldn’t help us.

he was my baby. he is my baby. this has all happened in the span of the last hour and a half. he was supposed to be with me for the rest of my life. i love him so, so much. i can’t stop screaming and crying and i needed a place to talk about it because I have no idea what to do with this grief. this can’t be happening. his feathers are scattered through the house. there’s a rubber band on the floor that he destroyed. i hear my dad moving his cage because i can’t look at it without sobbing.

he’s gone. my baby is gone and I don’t even have a body to bury. i’m so, so sorry. i’m so sorry, grim.

Oh @Francie Mae, I'm so sorry, what a terrible shock!! As hard as this is, please don't give up hope just yet. Birds are smart, and often they find their way into other people's yards or homes or offices and can be taken in. Can I suggest you place a notification on 911 Parrot Alert? You can also check under "Found Birds" in case someone already has him...

https://www.911parrotalert.com/

You can also post on local Facebook groups, and please do let EVERY vet clinic in your area know too, not just avian ones, because escaped birds are often handed in there. Also check with your local animal control and/or SPCA societies.

Huge hugs to you @Francie Mae, I know how much this hurts. I've had three birds fly off on me over the 50 years I've had them and was devastated, but by some miracle have got them all back, so I am praying you get your baby back too!!

 

[bug_n_flock]

I am so sorry for what you are going thru. I agree with lamanuka, post just in case the neighbor was wrong. They didn't have a reason to keep an eye out, they may not have remembered correctly what they saw. Sending huge hugs. This wasn't your fault, no matter how it turns out. Please don't blame yourself. Grief counseling is a great idea and I hope you look into it. Big prayers and hugs

 

[Francie Mae]

Oh @Francie Mae, I'm so sorry, what a terrible shock!! As hard as this is, please don't give up hope just yet. Birds are smart, and often they find their way into other people's yards or homes or offices and can be taken in. Can I suggest you place a notification on 911 Parrot Alert? You can also check under "Found Birds" in case someone already has him...

https://www.911parrotalert.com/

You can also post on local Facebook groups, and please do let EVERY vet clinic in your area know too, not just avian ones, because escaped birds are often handed in there. Also check with your local animal control and/or SPCA societies.

Huge hugs to you @Francie Mae, I know how much this hurts. I've had three birds fly off on me over the 50 years I've had them and was devastated, but by some miracle have got them all back, so I am praying you get your baby back too!!

I’m sorry if I didn’t make it clear enough in the post but he’s not coming back. My neighbor saw two hawks grab him and take him into their nest. My baby is gone.
Thank you for the advice, though, and for your kind words. It means a lot. The resources are appreciated.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Is there any chance your neighbor lied? Maybe they didn't like your bird or your family and want to upset you? Just asking in case there's a chance . . .

 

[Corkscr.ew]

I'm so sorry. I can't begin to imagine your pain.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I wish I could give you a hug and let you cry on my shoulder. I hope your family is giving you the love and support you need right now.

 

[Francie Mae]

Is there any chance your neighbor lied? Maybe they didn't like your bird or your family and want to upset you? Just asking in case there's a chance . . .

I really wish that were the case; l said ‘neighbors’ but it’s actually people on the other block. My cousin lives on that block and he had gone asking around, and a woman told him she saw two hawks attacking a white bird and she was shouting at them to stop but then they flew off with him to their nest. Last we saw him he was getting chased by two hawks in that area.

 

[Corkscr.ew]

Is there any chance your neighbor lied? Maybe they didn't like your bird or your family and want to upset you? Just asking in case there's a chance . . .

There's also a slight chance that your neighbor saw a different bird. Doves, nuthatches, woodpeckers, herons, and ducks can be partially white, and maybe they only saw the white feathers and thought it was yours. I would search for him just in case.

 

[Francie Mae]

Oh MY GOD! How horrible! Poor baby, both you and Grim.
I suggest grief counseling. You're going to need it. My heart cries for you.

I reached out to a therapist i know. Thank you for your condolences. It’s nice to be a part of this community.

 

[Francie Mae]

i cant read but you are in shock.
Trauma.

prayers to you.

thank you so much <33

 

[Francie Mae]

There's also a slight chance that your neighbor saw a different bird. Doves, nuthatches, woodpeckers, herons, and ducks can be partially white, and maybe they only saw the white feathers and thought it was yours. I would search for him just in case.

We’ll still try, it’s just that we live in a residential area without too many varieties of birds, other than the hawks and pigeons. The neighbor was the house below where we saw the hawks chasing him, and I know it was him that they were chasing. We heard him scream

 

[Francie Mae]

I wish I could give you a hug and let you cry on my shoulder. I hope your family is giving you the love and support you need right now.

Thank you so, so much. I really appreciate your support. I do have my family, but they also have their own grief to process. We all loved him so, so much. No one is doing very well.

 

[Francie Mae]

I am so sorry for what you are going thru. I agree with lamanuka, post just in case the neighbor was wrong. They didn't have a reason to keep an eye out, they may not have remembered correctly what they saw. Sending huge hugs. This wasn't your fault, no matter how it turns out. Please don't blame yourself. Grief counseling is a great idea and I hope you look into it. Big prayers and hugs

Thank you for your words. I’m struggling with guilt so i really appreciate your message.

 

[Francie Mae]

I'm so sorry. I can't begin to imagine your pain.

Thank you for your support