Tragedy

[mh434]

Last night, all 6 of our Lovebirds were having a great time, making lots of racket, chattering happily, chewing up toys and generally just being Lovebirds.

Today, Teddy (male) and Niblet (female, the very first baby we raised, who's had babies of her own, since) were both dead in the bottom of their cage, huddled tight together as always, as though they were sleeping.

Niblet was only about 4 years old, and Teddy was 3.

We have no idea what happened! The other Lovies seem fine, and the only thing out of the ordinary in Niblet and Teddy's cage was what appears to be a completely chewed-up plastic toy.

I'm devastated. I've had to bury 3 of my feathered friends in the last few months, including Paulie, my beloved Lilac-crowned Amazon, and now it will be 5. It's so hard to cope with yet another loss, much less two at once.

We'll be taking them in to our avian vet for a necropsy, as I'm very concerned that they might have contracted something that could spread to the rest of the flock.

God, I hate the thought of having to bury two more of my little friends. And more tears. Lots of tears.

 

[Kiwibird]

I am so sorry for your loss of Teddy and Niblet I hope the vet is able to find out what happened.

 

[Allee]

I'm very sorry for your sad losses. I know you must be heartbroken to lose two of your lovies so soon after the others. I hope the necropsies can tell you what caused the lovebird's deaths and I hope it isn't anything contagious. I wish there was something I could say to help ease your pain. My thoughts are with you.

 

[Hawk]

So sorry to hear about your loss. Some Plastic toys are really not made for the parrots or any bird, they are toxic. The chemicals in some plastics can be very harmful if ingested. Such as ISO Cynide, when combined with heat or hot water.

Then it may not have been the plastic...But would have been my first guess.

 

[MikeyTN]

Very sorry to hear about your loss!!!! Hopefully the necropsy would bring you some answers soon....

 

[strudel]

Oh, no.... That's awful. So sorry.

 

[RavensGryf]

I am so very sorry for your loss. I've had the pain of losing 3 before, but the last one a budgie this year, was a shock to find and see him dead in his cage. The initial shock, the exclamations, and the tears. Lots of tears. I know.

Terribly sad to see huddled together it broke my heart to read that. That does point to acute poisoning from something, like they both all of a sudden felt sick together at the same time, not gradually like a disease. Hang in there as hard as it is. I hope the necropsy holds an answer for you.

 

[mh434]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts. It's been a hard time for us. During the night (I haven't slept, of course) I got up to check on the birds, and found our GCC Skittles on the floor of his cage, lying on his back, not moving. I picked him up, with no response from him at first, and after a few moments he perked up and acted completely normal. This morning he seems his old mischievous self. I don't need to tell you how terrifying that was.

The Lovebirds have been downstairs for the past week, while their corner was getting a good vacuuming etc. (they're such messy little creatures), and the rest of the flock have remained upstairs. I don't dare move the Lovies back upstairs until we find out, hopefully, what killed Teddy and Niblet.

 

[4dugnlee]

That's terrifying! So sorry your are going through this! I hope you find out what happened from the necropsy. Thoughts your way...

 

[kq_fan]

Oh no! Oh my goodness! I am so sorry for your loss I know that must have been terrifying to find your conure there! I really hope you can get to the bottom of this!

 

[Terry57]

I am so sorry for your loss I hope that the necropsy is able to tell you what happened to them. Praying it was an isolated occurrence. You are in my thoughts

 

[Amanda_Bennett]

So sad! I hope you find out what happened and it was an isolated incident. You and the rest of your flock are in my thoughts and prayers!

 

[Birdman666]

Sorry for your loss.

I am also suspecting ingestion hazard.

If it was a toxic event, they'd all be dead. Not just two of them.

If it were illness, there would have been some signs of illness that evening.

I know it's hard, but at least with the necropsy you will know...

 

[Dopey]

I am so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine going through it.

 

[miloslave]

I am truly sorry to hear about your loss. It is one of my biggest fears, finding my babies at the bottom of the cage.

My heart goes out to you.

 

[Scott]

Very sorry you are enduring such a tragic loss. The unknown cause coupled with the poignant huddling of Teddy and Niblet is so sad. There are no adequate words but mourning and time.

 

[mh434]

Thank you all for your support! There was a lot of paperwork at the vet to submit my babies for autopsy - there's avian flu going around, so...

Everybody else seems hale and hearty, but then, Niblet & Teddy did, too, a few hours earlier. I probably won't hear anything for 10 days to 2 weeks. It will be a long, anxious wait.

 

[mh434]

An update - the results from the necropsies came back. According to the pathologist, my babies were frightened to death! We have no idea how this could have happened, as there's nothing remotely frightening in the room, nor were the other 4 Lovies upset. We have had owls try to get to them in the past, which is why the curtains have remained drawn so the Lovies are not visible from outside.

The results have only made us feel worse, I'm afraid.

 

[RavensGryf]

Oh no . Gosh I wish there was a more definitive answer than that. So I'm guessing they found evidence of the chemical or hormones released upon extreme fear? But it just doesn't make sense like you say. I'm so sorry again, and sad for you . Time will heal eventually... Take care

 

[Sunset_Chaser]

Hmmm, at least you know that it wasn't something contagious that could infect your other fids. Wonder what could have scared them though? Perhaps an owl or something banged into the window?