We knew a woman who owned an African grey parrot. She lived in the basement of her sister’s family’s home. This parrot was extraordinarily talkative, liked everyone, and used phrases in proper context recognizing people, other animals, the difference between good morning and good evening.
When my acquaintance died unexpectedly, her sister didn’t know what to do with the parrot. They cared for the bird but left it by itself in the basement. Within eight months that parrot was dead. They cannot be left in isolation - it will kill them.
Yes, birds grieve!
Our African Grey (about 8yrs old now) went to the back of her cage, stopped eating, drinking, excreting (if you know what I mean -trust me, you change the paper in the bottom of the cage, you KNOW), talking or even looking at us for a good 2 weeks after our eldest golden retiever died. How she knew she was gone and would not be comming back I’m still not sure, but she did and we thought we were going to loose her, too. Phoenix (the grey) really liked Goldilocks (the golden -DUH) and would not make fun of her like the other pets in the house. When she was gone, one day -with-in about a week of Goldilocks passing- she just KNEW and went in the back corner and stayed there. We talked to her like she was a person, made all kinds of overtures and offered bribes, but maybe she just needed her time to mourn. One day she was just better. Three some years later, she still talks about her (Goldilocks is a good girl!) but she’s not actively mourning... It did scare us silly, though.
She’s a wonderful little addition to our messed up family. I could tell hundreds of stories about how smart and funny she is!
Another interesting story....the parrot died of lonliness, just like so many of us would.