Mr. Spots died today...

Formally know as "Mr. Alexander Spots", he is a European Starling that I rescued as a baby back in 1994. Sometime around 4:30 this afternoon he passed away. Now he flies free like he did as a child so long ago. He used to ride to work with me at the leather shop, gripping onto his branch in the old '84 Camaro always urging me to go faster while he looked intently out the windshield. He also attended several Pow Wows and Renne Faires with me. Always dressed in his best feathers he was quite an attraction sitting on my shoulder or in the booth on his perch.





One of his favorite stories was about the time he was on my finger eating some bread when a bunch of school kids busted into the leather goods booth at a Pow Wow. There being quite a few kids and they being quite loud he spooked and flew off towards the lake. I had to stay behind and attend to the children as I was the only one watching the booth at the time. After the kids left I walked down towards the reeds at the edge of the lake thinking I'd probably never see him again but it was worth looking anyways. As soon as I got down there he spotted me and started calling loudly, having to out voice all the other birds down that way. When I saw him I walked up and explained that he could stay with his new found friends if he wanted but several of the other birds in attendance were already sizing him up for their lunch. I reached out and extended my finger and said "perch". He jumped on my finger and we walked back up to the booth and his cage. He had decided to stay with me that day and for the rest of his long life.

From what I understand Starlings rarely live beyond 7 years in the wild so reaching an age of 18 was a landmark in the feathered world. Yes he has been troubled with severe arthritis for the last two years. His vision was failing also, things were looking quite blurry through his cataracts, but he could still pick out his favorite foods... the red ones, always leaving those green ones unless there was nothing else in his dish. Regardless he was still, and always will be, quite the character. It's going to be hard not hearing his chatter throughout the day and hearing him say "Hello Spots" when I walk into the room or "What are you doing?" when I talked back to him.


Fly free, Mr. Spots. Find those reeds at the edge of the lake. Bathe in it's cool waters and watch out for me walking down the hill towards you when it's my time to pass through the veil. This shoulder will always be open for you to perch on once again, Alexander my friend.


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Sorry to hear that brother

 

What a beautiful bird.I'm sure he will be sadly missed.

 

awe.. thats sad.. Im amazed to learn they live that long. Im sure some someone at the Audubon society would like to hear more about this birds life..

 

Rest In Peace Mr Spots :angel:

 

Rest In Peace Mr. Spots.

Sorry for your loss Trysonswood, it sounds like Mr. Spots had a beautiful life

 

RIP Alexander

 

Oh my, Ty. Without a doubt, he was a remarkable bird. I, too, want to say R.I.P. Mr. Spots; but, I bet he is cart-wheeling through the skys, thrilled with his now perfect vision. I wouldn't be surprised if he is also riding on Thor's back.

 

What A Beautiful Eulogy...



Cheers Glen.

 

I have a tear. Sorry to hear this Tyrson. May he soar high and long. Adios Mr.Spots.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYA16z2-xFg"]Grateful Dead - Birdsong - YouTube

Don't cry now, don't you cry, don't you cry anymore.
Sleep in the stars, don't you cry, dry your eyes on the wind...:grouphug:

 

<3 much love to you

 

Ty, that's such a sweet story of his life with you. That's a bond to really cherish. You've got a good heart and animals cling to you because of it.

Very touching. Thank you for sharing Alexander's story.

:grouphug:

 

Ty, I am so sorry to hear about Mr. Spots. RIP. Has Erin commented on the situation yet? Their cages were right next to each other. I love your stories about him. Know that you gave him a good life. Bless you! :grouphug:

 

I am a lover of all creatures but never put a bird into such high standings as I do now, after reading this post. Mr. Spots was obviously a very special bird not only in his will to out live the predicted 7 years but to interact with you in such a way. He sounds as though he was an amazing creature as well as a friend to you. I am very sorry for your loss Tyrsonswood. R.I.P Mr. Spots

 

Sorry for your loss Ty. What a great story.

 

Ty,I am sorry to hear about your friend.Mr Spots.RIP.

 

Erin has been strangely silent yesterday evening and this morning... She did take note of the fact that after giving her "breakfast breads" this morning I didn't give any to Mr. Spots... (His cage is still there even though he and his food and water dishes have been removed) She will make a larger issue when I remove his cage later today.


Thank You everyone for your well wishes... Alexander is in a much better place, he was not well for a long time and now his aches and pains are gone.

 

Very sorry for your loss.
Pets are some of the best people on this planet.

 

I never knew starlings could learn words as well. Is Erin a starling too? Somehow I thought your birds were more like crows/jackdaws (looked that term up ) which are the most common wild birds to have as a pet here. It's really great he got so old!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzfnnkr8ZEU"]Jefferson Airplane - High Flyin' Bird - YouTube

 

R.i.p.