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#2
22nd August 2005, 10:12 PM
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Hi Terry,
Isn't that just tragic and pitiful!  Those photos really do say so much about how that swallow must have been in tremendous anguish over the death of it's (likely) mate. Very touching yet heartbreaking to see.I personally believe that birds do feel pain, sorrow and confusion at the loss of a mate or family member. 
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#3
22nd August 2005, 10:13 PM
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I see the same thing going on in my loft right now. I have 3 hens looking for their mates.
Daryl
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#4
22nd August 2005, 11:10 PM
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This is a really tough thread. The photos are amazing and heart-breaking. Terry, thank you for sharing them. I must have started 8 or 9 responses trying to find the right words. Daryl, this is so painful for you. I am very sorry three of your birds have died. You do the very best you can for them and sometimes bad things still happen. Your birds have an empathetic owner who is looking out for their best interests.
__________________
Terri B
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#5
22nd August 2005, 11:52 PM
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Yes,so,so very sad. It just goes to show you that birds do indeed have feelings.The pictures have an impact that is for certain.
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#6
23rd August 2005, 06:49 AM
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Hi Terry,
While I've seen a pigeon grieving the loss of its mate, I think these photos capture in the facial expressions, almost unbelievably so, the pain and despair in the moment of the loss experienced. Thank-you for sharing these photos with us. fp
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#7
23rd August 2005, 08:25 PM
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That was heartbreaking, I'm in tears just thinking how that poor lil one felt. I hope whoever was taking the pictures gave the deceased lil one a proper burial and didn't just leave it lying there.
__________________
 Pete, Dudley, Glinda & Moe 
Last edited by Pete Jasinski; 24th August 2005 at 11:44 AM.
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#8
23rd August 2005, 08:35 PM
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There are differing responses from some of my bird experts .. these range from one male of a species (barn swallow) killing another to a mate of a dead bird trying to mate with it. Both of these scenarios are certainly possible as I guess you could view what I took for anguish as anger or victory .. Hard to say .. still these photos really did a number on me.
Terry
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#9
23rd August 2005, 09:21 PM
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Hi Terry & Everyone,
I did notice the one bird trying to mate with the dead/dying bird. It's nearly impossible to know what is going on in the mind of a bird in such moments. I was thinking that perhaps in the other bird's confusion over the death, it attempted to mate with it's fallen partner to see if it was ok or maybe the one bird was so stricken with grief that the mating actions were just desparate attempts to get a response. All theory of course but animals work differently than we do and will likely show their dispair in varying ways that we would never understand.
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#10
24th August 2005, 08:49 PM
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Interesting insights into bird/animal mental health and such ..
http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/b...ref=0813804892 Terry
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