The Heartbreaking Moment A Parakeet Refuses To Let His Dead Spouse Go

November 16, 2015

Animal behavior researchers are discovering more and more that a concept of death and the deep feelings associated with mourning are not exclusively human traits. Elephants have famously been observed mourning fallen comrades, as have giraffes and apes to name just a few examples. You can add birds to the list too.

Western scrub jays don't just exhibit behavior consistent with an understanding of death, but they have actually been observed holding elaborate "funerals" for dead birds. The behavior was recently documented by researcher Teresa Iglesias and colleagues from the University of California.

This video is of a parakeet, not a scrub jay, but he's clearly feeling the loss of his friend here. I just hope his owner gets him a new buddy soon.

Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz

feel good videoThese Cat Reactions To Owners Calling Them Through Security Cameras Are Absolutely Hilarious

feel good storiesKentucky Nurse Saves Drunk Raccoon With CPR After Dumpster Mishap

feel good storiesFirefighters And Public Works Team Crawl Quarter Mile To Rescue Blind And Deaf Dog

feel good storiesShoulder Labrum Tear Symptoms And The Causes Behind Them

feel good storiesThe Mechanical Nurse At Guy’s Hospital Is Equal Parts Creepy And Brilliant

feel good stories'Everyone Gets A Kick Out Of It': Baby Born At McDonald’s Parking Lot Has Perfect Nickname

feel good videoEpic ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ Flashmob Takes Over the Streets of Paris

feel good videoJamie Lee Curtis Can’t Stop Laughing Over The Only Autograph She Ever Asked For

feel good videoTiny Bear Cub Rescued In The Mountains Of Transylvania

feel good videoTexas Cheerleaders Perform Emotional 9/11 Tribute That Brings Crowd To Tears

feel good videoFDNY Honors Bride Whose Father Died On 9/11 With Touching Wedding Surprise

Chris Filippou 12:17 PM (3 minutes ago) to me