Ruffled Feathers Parrot Sanctuary Inc.
Where Hope Takes Flight
Saying Goodbye to Iago: Loving an Elderly Parrot Until the Very End
It’s with great sadness that I share the loss of my precious Iago. When you spend years providing elderly parrot care, you know this day will eventually come, but knowing that never makes saying goodbye any easier.
But she was smart.
She knew that even if she didn’t enjoy being around people, she still needed them. So she tolerated a very select few to move her around, usually while loudly protesting the entire time.
Elderly Parrot Care Made Every Evening Special
Evenings with Iago were some of my favorite moments.
I’d finally take a break from rescue, sit down with her curled up on my chest, and we’d watch TV together.
Her arthritis had become so severe that if you were behind her, she couldn’t really bite anymore. That never stopped her from trying or from grumbling about the fact that she couldn’t.
Despite having both feet badly crippled, she never quit.
Every single morning she greeted the day the same way. She’d sing completely out of tune to let the whole sanctuary know she was awake and ready to take on another day.
It wasn’t pretty.
It was perfect.
The Morning the Song Was Gone
Then, last week, the singing stopped.
We all knew.
The light had gone out.
Almost overnight she went from trucking right along to quietly slipping away.
We don’t know exactly how old she was, but based on everything she had been through, we believe she was somewhere in her late 40s, maybe even her early 50s.
That is a long time to spend walking on crippled feet.
Those feet taught me more about perseverance than I can ever put into words.
She Helped Rescue Me Too
Iago came into my life shortly after I lost Larry Bird, when I desperately needed something to pour my heart into.
Back then I spent a lot of time feeling sorry for myself.
Then along came this bird.
She had every reason to give up.
She had endured things I couldn’t even imagine, yet every morning she still greeted the day with determination. She still wanted to live. She still found reasons to enjoy life.
Little by little she learned to trust the people who cared for her.
I hope I became more than just another caregiver.
Because to me, she became family.
The Hardest Part of Caring for a Senior Parrot
The morning we realized it was time, we rushed her to the veterinarian.
There simply wasn’t anything left that medicine could fix.
Her organs were shutting down, but thankfully she wasn’t in pain.
We could have chosen euthanasia, but there was something else weighing heavily on my heart.
Charlie.
Her neighbor.
Her best friend.
The same Charlie who constantly yelled, “I’m sorry, Charlie!”
I couldn’t let him believe she had simply disappeared.
So we brought her home.
Charlie’s Goodbye
She spent one final day beside Charlie.
He never left her.
He stayed close while she rested, ate a little, and drank when she could.
He watched over her the entire day.
Quietly.
Faithfully.
Devoted until the very end.
Her Favorite Place
Midnight came and went.
She was still hanging on.
So I wrapped her in an extra blanket, picked her up, and held her where she loved to be.
Curled up on my chest.
Watching TV together one last time.
It was bitterly cold that night.
Around 4:30 that morning, she quietly slipped away in my arms.
I’ve noticed through the years that so many souls seem to leave this world sometime between 4:00 and 5:00 in the morning.
One Final Goodbye
Even though I knew she was gone, I gently placed her back into her cage so Charlie could see her when he woke up.
He already knew.
Watching parrots grieve is something that changes you forever.
Seeing the way they love…
the way they wait…
the way they mourn…
…it’s impossible to describe.
Anything capable of loving that deeply deserves every ounce of respect we can give it.
Charlie got the closure he needed.
Iago got to pass peacefully at home, surrounded by love, in the arms of the only person she truly trusted.
I’ll miss her terribly.
It’s been about a week now, but I just couldn’t bring myself to write these words until today.
Rest Easy, My Friend
Rest in peace, my sweet friend.
When I see you again, I want you to run toward me.
You can show me all the flying stuff later.
Love you forever and always.
P.S. Tell Larry not a day goes by that he doesn’t cross my mind.
March 6, 2025
Watch Iago’s Tribute Video
You’ll find my tribute video below.
I’m already missing her more than words can say.
Under the video I’ve also shared some of my favorite photos and videos of Iago, along with a look at how an original video evolves and has to be edited differently for each social media platform.
I don’t often share much about our disabled and handicapped parrots. Most of those moments are something I quietly keep for myself.
But Iago deserved to be shared with the world.
She existed.
She mattered.
And she was deeply loved.
One of the hardest parts of rescue is saying yes to a bird when you already know your time together may be painfully short.
I still say yes.
Because even a few months of love can change an entire lifetime.
I simply do my best to make every one of those days count.
Caring for an Elderly Parrot
As parrots grow older, their needs change. Proper elderly parrot care can greatly improve their comfort, quality of life, and happiness during their senior years.
Create a Comfortable Environment for Elderly Parrot Care
Use softer, wider perches to help support arthritic feet.
Rope perches are often easier for older birds to grip.
Lower perches to reduce the risk of falls.
Add extra padding to the cage floor for safety.
Keep the cage in a warm, draft-free location with a stable temperature.
Maintain lighting that follows natural day and night cycles.
Nutrition for Senior Parrot Care
Feed easily digested foods.
Choose foods rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Offer fruits and vegetables with high water content.
Talk with your avian veterinarian about supplements that may benefit aging parrots.
Regular Veterinary Care
Regular veterinary examinations are an important part of elderly parrot care because older birds can develop health problems quickly and may hide signs of illness until a condition becomes serious.
Schedule yearly wellness examinations, or more often if recommended.
Monitor body weight closely.
Follow your veterinarian’s recommendations for blood work and other laboratory testing.
Learn the early warning signs of diseases commonly seen in older parrots.
Mental Stimulation Still Matters
Senior parrots still need enrichment.
Offer toys, safe branches, shreddable materials like egg cartons, and opportunities to explore new activities at their own pace.
Managing Arthritis and Pain
Ultimately, elderly parrot care is about adapting to each bird’s changing needs while protecting their comfort, dignity, and quality of life for as long as possible.
If your bird struggles with arthritis or chronic pain, speak with your avian veterinarian about appropriate pain management options, including anti-inflammatory medications when appropriate.
Growing older doesn’t mean giving up on enjoying life.
Iago reminded me of that every single day.
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