You’ve probably heard about elephants mourning their dead, but what about cockatoos?
I often pass this family of cockies on my way to work. They’re usually feeding on seeds on the verge, playfully whirling and wheeling, and creating general cacophonous havoc.
But yesterday, they were crowded around on the road; I drove back to see what they were up to: it was a heartbreaking scene.
They were very quiet except for a few plaintive squeaks and squawks.
One kept on nudging the lifeless form on the road.
I wonder if they feel grief.
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beeblu blog 
oh BB, so sad …. I am sure they are mourning … a member of their community is gone …
They seemed at such a loss, and puzzled 😦
i really feel for them … the dangers of roads 😦
I bet they do feel grief, (or at least concern) just like crows and ravens.
I agree. All highly intelligent birds.
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Oh…how sad…they indeed ‘felt’
It truly seemed that way, Charles.
This is so sad 😥 It must have got run over or knocked down by a vehicle. The bird bending over it looks so concerned. I hope that little bird rests in peace.
Yes, it’s a busy road in the morning, and there are a lot of buses, so it may have been knocked out of a tree, or while flying, by one of them. Poor things.
Quite humbling
It was, GFB – their behaviour was mesmerising. I have not seen anything like it in the bird kingdom.
How very sad 😦
Yes 😦
Grief, loss of a fellow friend, I believe they do bb, ’tis a sad photo. xx
I think so, too, Pen – they certainly appeared very disturbed.
Animals are sentient beings. Those who don’t believe that reject the notion for their own convenience.
Yes – scientists talk about the dangers of anthropomorphising animals, but they can’t deny that, on the face of it, our behaviours often have a lot in common. I was so fascinated by their behaviour, I would have watched them all day if I could have.
😦
Yes 😦
Birds and animals certainly show that they feel loss and grief. Many pets have been known to mope to death after the death of the owner, and mate-for-life birds and animals very often do the same after losing a partner.
Requiescat by Briton Rivière, which hangs in the Art Gallery of NSW here in Sydney, masterfully depicts such emotion – it’s one of my favourite paintings – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Requiescat.
It is truly beautiful.
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Oh BB, that’s so sad! Just like when I saw the dead swan…a moving experience. Thanks for capturing and sharing it.
It was so unexpected – they are very cheeky birds, and are often up to no good (like chewing wooden fencing etc), so it was very strange to see them in this state.
wow – too sad.
Poor things 😦
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heartbreaking 😦 Cockatoos are highly intelligent so I am sure they have emotions (sadness, insecurity, confusion) – whether they feel grief as we know it is not clear but I am sure they feel something similar, just as a child is devastated by the loss of something but not really understanding the nature and permanence of death – who knows! You have done well to capture this sad moment bb
Thanks, Gabe. They certainly seemed puzzled and distressed, with their plaintive little squawks and squeaks to one another. Some came close, but others kept their distance and watched. It was a remarkable, but very sad, event to witness.
I do believe that living things…animals, birds…feel a sense of loss. They may not feel grief as we do but something inately tells them that one of their kind will no longer be with them as they were. These are wonderful telling photos of the many things we are not privy to and you have captured them for us to see. Thank You!
Thanks, Renee. As sad as it was, I felt privileged to see it.
Oh how sad!
Yes 😦
Really sad, BB. I have come to the conclusion that so much of the animal/bird kingdom has a capacity to feel and indeed to grieve. Beautiful, poignant pictures.
It seems that way, Kate. Thanks.
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Yes, very sad, Bluebee. Here’s a link to an article by Nicholas Kristof in which he discusses growing up on a farm with geese. When it came time to fetch one for dinner, the mate would follow, offering himself (or herself) as a replacement on the chopping block. The capacity of birds for love, devotion, and presumably grief at loss seems grandly beyond our comprehension. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/20/opinion/sunday/are-chicks-brighter-than-babies.html?_r=0
Very interesting and thought-provoking article, Monica. Thanks.
My closest encounter with geese was at the outdoor pool, where a mating pair would nest for several weeks in early summer. The female stayed unmoving on the nest; the male would not leave the area to eat. He entertained himself by lying next to the lap lanes, poking at swimmers as they approached.
😀
That’s heartbreaking : ( Thanks for sharing such a unique interpretation of family
Thanks, Connie.
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Nice photos and interesting story Good question. They at least seem to be aware that it is one of their own kind, judging from the group interest.
Thanks, Elaine.
Great!
That is so fascinating. Judging by their behaviour I’d say they do feel grief. Put a little lump in my throat.
Mine too 😦
I’m sure they feel grief …
I think so, too
How beautiful this is. And I am sure they are a family in shock and in mourning. How wonderful nature is when it comes to love. Thanks for sharing and for following my blog. I will follow you too.
Yes, nature weaves a special kind of magic. I was so moved by their obvious distress & concern. It was something to see. Thanks, Dor 😀