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Thursday, June 24, 2010

It was a sad day yesterday...

Knocking on door, 17th June -
photo taken from another window

The sulphur-crested Cockatoo, 'Scruff', that we'd been favouring for many months, didn't show up yesterday morning, nor for the rest of the day.

We knew it was just a matter of time, as the mornings have been frosty and whenever he turned up he'd be shivering.  Two days ago he stayed around all day, sleeping most of the time.  Of course we had no idea whether it was male or female but we chose male.

We were told by our neighbour and vet that there was nothing could be done for the bird and this morning I looked around the net and found that the disease is called Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease, or PBFD.  They lose feathers and the beak and claws malform.  I also read that the virus is contagious.  The immune system goes into overdrive and they usually die of some unrelated viral or bacterial infection and not the PBFD itself.












We'll always remember 'Scruff', he was such a character and used to follow DMJ around like a little puppy.  What we found interesting was that the flock had not disowned him and didn't torment him, as is usually the case with a 'cripple'.  Just last week we saw another cocky preening him; I hope it doesn't get the disease.  Some of his feathers had grown back but they weren't enough to keep him warm on these cold mornings.  We're just thankful that we gave him some loving and sustenance in his last months.

23 comments:

Tess Kincaid said...

Oh, this is truly sad. Poor little Scruff.

Cheryl Cato said...

Sweet... you were a good caretaker & made his last days better.

steven said...

alaine - it's the kindness and love that you gave him as he passed through in this incarnation that will carry him onto his next incarnation. it's so sad to see little animals suffer. steven

alaine@éclectique said...

Willow, Lizzy, Steven...thank you for caring...he didn't show again today so tomorrow I'm going to open the blinds, throw open windows (even though we're expecting rain!) and be happy for Scruff!

Susan said...

Oh, that is so sad. I'm sorry that the little guy won't be around to brighten your days. ((hugs))

Wanda..... said...

Sorry for the absence of his daily visits and what that means. We do become attached to our little friends!

♥...Wanda

karen said...

Sorry about your little buddy. It's so easy to become attached to birds...they are wonderful creatures...and I'm sure...knowing these birds have a telepathic sense...that he knew you felt for him.
Sorry Alaine.

Unknown said...

Hi Alaine,

That's sad but much better not to suffer a long disease.

Fab new look here too!

Nancy said...

This is so sad! :-(
Bless you for being kind to him/her.

Teri said...

It almost sounds like AIDS for birds, doesn't it? An immune deficiency that they actually die from something else. That is just too sad, Alaine. It's hard to intervene with what nature has planned for each of us,isn't it! Nice that you shared with all of us and that you cared for him. Fly high, Scruffy!

FireLight said...

"All creatures great and small" ...and furry and feathery make our world so much richer and happier. Yes it is a sad day, indeed, to know just one has suffered...and vanished.
Glad to know the others were good to Scruff.

Sam Liu said...

This is so moving, one does develop such a close and kindred bond with animals, especially ones that visit daily and ones that we look after. And it truly is heartbreaking when they leave, but how wonderful it was that you were able to care for Scruff in his closing months.

T. said...

Oh! Beautiful bird! Alas.

alaine@éclectique said...

Susan...it is so sad; thank you for your hug!

alaine@éclectique said...

Wanda....I'd say, "Has Scruff been today?" and he'd say, "Yes, he was first here". Third day, no Scruff. Thanks, Wanda.

alaine@éclectique said...

MG..Karen, thank you and yes, I'm sure most of the sick birds we've had have known we were nursing them.

alaine@éclectique said...

Derrick....You're so right.

Thanks for your compliment about the new look - it's made so easy for us to jazz up a bit with all of the great options available now.

alaine@éclectique said...

Nancy....thank you for your kind thoughts.

alaine@éclectique said...

Teri....I'd like to think that he got all of his feathers back in his new world!

alaine@éclectique said...

FireLight....it's heartwarming to observe these birds when they're smooching!

alaine@éclectique said...

Sam....we loved giving him special attention. I dare say there will be others needing our care...they certainly know where to come!

Lyn said...

We are so lucky at all the paths that cross, bringing joy and saddness. That we love Scruff is very good for us...

alaine@éclectique said...

Lyn...indeed; the highs and lows of life's waves make us what we are.