Bad start to 2013

After all the merry making yesterday and the reflecting upon the year that was, our first day of 2013 started leisurely with a sleep in followed by a nice coffee on the patio watching over our chickens. I have an Alexandrine Parrot named Angus who was given to me last year for my birthday. I love him dearly and although he is not a very friendly parrot he seems to enjoy my company and has an odd attraction to my hair. My husband and daughter couldn’t go anywhere near him without being told they were too close. Since moving to our property I have allowed Angus to roam free. He has his cage which is always open with fresh seed, water and fruit. He would have his breakfast and head out for the day, returning every evening before dark. He couldn’t fly but that never stopped him from climbing the tallest tree to practice his talking. He had had a few close encounters with crows and Kookaburras but always scared them off. He has one massive persuasion, a beak that can crack open the hush of a macadamia nut in one bite! Trust me I have scars on my hands where he has cut to the bone when I was taming him. I realise the risk I have taken to allow him to roam free. He could have been attacked by any number of wild animals. But this would also be the case in the wild and I hate seeing such beautiful creatures locked in a cage.

Today was the day my worst fears were realised. I noticed 4 white cockatoos making a fuss in the far corner of the paddock. I just noticed Angus in the same area. I thought it would be unusual for the cockies to be attacking him but went over to check. There is was, a massive goanna and it had Angus in such a way that Angus was unable to fight back or sink his beak in. I tried to catch the goanna but it climbed up a tall gumtree. I called for help and my husband and I threw rocks, sticks, used the sling shot and hosed the vile creature. All the time Angus was screeching and looking down at me. Eventually the goanna dropped Angus. It was too late, he was gone. The Cockatoos relentlessly hunted the goanna for a good hour. I know it was only looking for food and Alexandrine was on his menu today but he failed and spent the rest of the day being attacked.

It was  a risk I chose to keep Angus out of the cage and after today I have doubted myself, but I truly think he would have preferred to spend his days out of the cage, than locked in it. Angus was buried in my garden with some apple (his favourite fruit), some flowers and wrapped in a doylie that my grandmother made. He will be sorely missed and he was well loved. RIP Angus.

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