Very Moving Article About African Greys

[Lyn]

Following the newspaper coverage over here regarding Ziggy the African Grey that alerted his owner to the fact that his girlfriend was cheating on him, there was a follow up article today discussing whether African Greys actually really talk or are just very superb mimics. This bit at the end of the article was really very touching and very sad too, it certainly brought tears to my eyes.

[B]Who's a clever @*** then!

'Personally, I always believed that African Greys, for all their remarkable feats, were merely repeating what they heard. As fascinating as we find their capacity for language, and as apt as their comments often appear, they are not showing any real desire to communicate - or so I thought.

One incident shook my belief to the core.

Charlie was in his 50's and I knew he was dying. He was a lovely, gentle old parrot, always very polite but weak and nearing the end.

I was cradling him in my arms in the middle of the night, stroking his feathers and whispering to him as he went. With his last ounce of strength he turned his head to me and said in a crystal-clear voice: 'I love you. Thank you,' and died.

Just two normal phrases he said every day, but said at the right time in the right situation, and they were devastating. I was terribly attached to him and it ripped me to pieces - the most upsetting moment I've ever had. I'm not ashamed to say I cried.

So never be surprised at what an African Grey may come out with'

by Steve Nichols, founder of the National Parrot Sanctuary

[McDenny]

Oh my gosh that would be so heartwrenching!! I just can't imagine having to go through that. What a smart bird though, sometimes the things our birds do just blow you away...I got all teary eyed at the end too! Im such a softie when it comes to birds!

[candi33]

*sniff* that is so sad! That would be terrible to go thru but wonderful at the same time. To me it sounds like the bird was expressing in his own way how good of a life he had, and knew it was because of this guy..... So sad!

[CritterLover]

Lyn, thanks for sharing that article. What a deeply touching story.

[keetmom]

that brought tears to my eyes! Wow..you know..when I held Grendel towards the end I felt that was what she was trying to tell me...but she was a budgie..I know I know..but i could really feel how much she loved me right towards the end. She just let me cradle her to my chest and scratch her and she just sat there constantly popped her beak and look up at me.

[blackmager]

that makes me sad

so touching

[PhoenixK]

Aww, that's sad. ;_;

Of course, I don't know how someone who's spend lots of time with greys couldn't already know that their aim is communication, not just mimicry. (although sometimes they do just want to mimic, but still. ^_^) But that was a good story, despite it being sad. ^_^

[notredamebird]

*Sniff*