When i got her she was three days old. she was solid black and as she grew, the black moved further down her back as her neck got redder and redder. finally, the black was only the tail feathers. so we called her "Red". she was the sweeter one; i.e. the one NOT called "mean dovey cooledge". She would nestle up against me and put her head under my chin. she was the better layer; giving her last egg this past saturday.
She was killed today by a smallish falcon. When we found her she was still warm and the falcon had just torn her heart out. It flew off as we approached. her eyes were covered by that thin purpley veil of an eyelid and her mouth was open and filled with dirt. i picked her up and looked at her for the longest time. feathers were all around. i wouldnt let V take her and bury her. i told him to leave her so the falcon could come back and eat her. and return it did. i watched as he ripped her apart. i couldnt not look. it was the only way i could get all right with the loss of my pet, to see the falcon have his meal.
we just went out with a flash light. i was hoping to see her one more time; or what was left.
but the falcon had taken her away.
Good-bye to my sweet red bird. She would have been 5 years old later this month.