A Touching Shaft tail Goodbye.

[cindy]

As many of you know I adopted pretty quickly a pair of shaft tails form a family that was moving. The male is very vocal and sings quiet often. Lately the female did not look well, I gave her supportive care and meds, she was doing so much better mid week, she was eating and drinking.

I noticed last night she was not leaving the heat lamp much, today I tried to make her comfortable and gave he a spot to settle in. The male did not leave her side at all, grooming her, singing to her. I knew she was not long for this world but it was touching to see him tend to her. At one point I held her in my palm and he came and stood near my hand watching over her. This surprised me since I have only had the pair for a few short months.

I placed her back in the place I made up for her to sit, she passed away while he tended to her. After she passed he started to sing to her. He was singing out of devotion to her.

This is the second time I have witnessed such devotion by shaft tail. Several months ago one of the offspring hit a tree branch during flight play, had a few seizures and after two days refused to perch and would sit on the bottom. His siblings and mom would come down and sit, groomed and chitter to him, they stayed by him as he passed.

I am a firm believer that these little birds feel love, sadness, compassion and devotion, I also believe they mourn. The male sang off and on for about an hour after I removed the female that passed away standing in the spot she passed away in.

[L in Ontario]

I'm in tears reading this and completely agree that many types of birds have the emotions/feelings you mention. I too have witnessed it (in the wild).

I'm sorry you lost her - we all know she was loved by you and her mate.

[cindy]

Thank you Liz, I have an extra female that is unrelated to the ones in marketplace. Do you think it would be to soon to put her in with him tomorrow? He is still standing in the spot....3 hours later and singing.

[annague]

How sweet and beautiful! So much can be learned by the devotion of animals. Thank you for sharing. Let us know how the male does with a new hen.

[cindy]

Thank you Anna, he has been singing off and on tonight. After the cage is cleaned and changed he will get his new friend.

[L in Ontario]

I think it would help him to have a new friend.

[cindy]

Thank you Liz. I know it might sound odd how these birds seem so devoted, loving....but to have seen this twice makes me think more about their personalities and attachments to their mates.

[6finchfriends]

Oh, sniff, sniff, I'm so sorry about your girl. Brings tears to my eyes. What a good boy to stay with her. So sweet. I know birds are some of the most intelligent beings. I'm sure they must know love because so many mate for life! Most adore their mates and babies. Even in the wild. A family of Jays in our neighborhood had their babies stolen and they called for them for 3 days! I hope your boy likes his new friend. Thanks for sharing this sad and sweet story.

[lovemyfinch]

So sorry Cindy
Even the smallest of God's creatures can have the biggest of hearts.

[FeatherHarp]

That was a hard story to ready Cindy but I am glad you shared it with us. I hope a new friend will bring him happiness once again. And I hope your sadness will go away soon as well.

[MRobinson]

Even the smallest of God's creatures can have the biggest of hearts

How very true...and what a lovely saying.

Cindy, I'm so sorry about her passing on and for your loss as well as for the little guy's loss too.

If it were me I'd put the other female in a cage next to his to let them get to know each other a bit, and see if he's ready for a new found friend.

[charisma]

Awwee I was so touched by your story Cindy. I'm so sorry you lost your girl. It touched home with me with losing my shaft tail Charlie while I was away a few months ago. I wasn't able to witness her reaction or how it affected her. Once i was home from holidays it was a week later. How beautiful of your male to be with her then sing for her once she passed. I hope your new female helps cheer him.
Again, so sorry for your loss

[cindy]

Thank you everybody. It is breakfast time here and he is singing away as loud and clear this morning. I have an unrelated female that I picked up at a show, she has been a little bit of an outcast with the ones that are related so I am considering placing her with him. First all cages get cleaned so I don't disturb them to much once she is with him.

[Vargur]

what a sad little love story this is, Cindy!!
I am very sorry for you
But she was not alone when she passed away,
and was loved to the end...
I do belive animals have those feelings you mentioned.

It reminded me of this photo
that my friend took of a Red- breasted merganser.
(very shy birds and wont let humans get too close)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/helgagudm/5255535431/
but this male bird, sat there and let my friend get very close..
and do you know why?
He was sitting near his female, who passed away on the lake bank.
And he sat by her site for many hours before he went back to the lake.
And his mourning song echoed over the lake the whole night!

[cindy]

Thank you Vargur. It is amazing to see bonds between animas/birds and their mates. These are more than little creatures, they have feelings and needs. Shame some people abuse them or look at them (dogs, cats, birds) as a $ sign without one thread of concern for their well being.