Some of you may remember my single neighbor finding a Scarlett (about a year and a half ago.) I gave him a cage, toys, food and educated him on care. Bob kept the bird on his Lani, which is fine. I would check on him a few times a week to make sure all was well. I have been so wrapped up in our construction and then, my mom moving in with us that It had been about three weeks that I last checked on him. Welll...Last night Bob came over to get me. Something was wrong with Rainbow. I went over there to find the cage had been moved outside. The bottom of the cage was gone and weeds had grown up into it about two feet. The bird was laying on the grate...Dead! Water dish full of gook, no food. I just walked away. Bob followed me asking what I thought had happened to this beautiful bird. All I could say was...It is pretty obvious, Bob. Lack of food, slimy water, snakes, rats...take your pick.
I could kick myself for not checking on him. Now this beautiful bird is gone.

Oh crap. I'm so sorry Susan, what a horrible, needless tragedy. I know you feel responsible, but please don't beat yourself up. You gave him the tools and you told him what Rainbow's needs were. After having the bird for a year and a half, he certainly should have been able to get through three weeks without you having to check on things, and he should have known better, or at least known enough to ask someone, before doing something stupid like that. The idea of turning him in for neglect is tempting, but I suppose it wouldn't do any good. What a sad, sad thing. Fly free, beautiful Rainbow, I'm sorry we took your life from you.

Gee Susan that is a hard one. It obviously makes me angry that he let this bird suffer and die.
But it's also deplorable that he came and asked for your help again after clearly not even attempting to help the animal. You gave him all he needed. He killed the bird you helped him save and then asked you to come and look at it.
There is not an easy way to say this, it's not pretty: This guy must not be a responsible adult with normal mentation.
Rainbow...FLY FREE and GET GOOD SCRITCHING! Tell Twiggy, my keet I had as a little boy, I said HI!
Susan, know that you have a life and you did all you could and more.
Mark

That's why a growing number of rescues (me included) do not re-home birds. Everybody wants the pretty bird and everybody has good intentions and they listen to you barely blinking when you give them the instructions and they promise you the moon and the stars... a few days, a few weeks, a few months later and all the promises go out the window and you end up with a dead or a suffering bird.

I tell you, as harsh as it sounds, people are not good for birds.

What a horrible tragedy. Fly free Rainbow.

that is so awful but please don't blame yourself, susan. you were the one that did good in this situation.

His neglect is criminal, pure and simple.

Fly free little one, you are safe now.


Report that neglectful disgrace of a human....

I am with Dana. Report that piece of bird poop! No bird poop is too good to call him! I am sorry you had to witness that. How traumatizing for you!
Please don't be hard on yourself! People just don't deserve birds!

Jessalyn and Ruby