I have had two birds that left in the same way. The first one was a parakeet, Delta. He was hatched, along with his four siblings, right here and hand raised. It was a hard blow when he left. Then there was my cockateil, Maggie. She was rescued from a family that would "thump" her on her head when she " squawked too much". She was a joy. I agree totally, the deaths were not the fault of the ferrets, it all rests on me. If I had of been watching closer, my birds would still be here. Yes, I was angry with the ferrets at first, but then I realized..... I AM THE HUMAN HERE.......so ultimately it is my fault. I let both the birds and the ferrets down by not doing what I should have to protect them. And I too have to live with that knowledge. My two remaining birds are now completely out of the reach of my nosey little adventurers, but when I hear any kind of different sounds from their cage, I bolt. Now, if everyone will excuse me, I have a most adorable 10 month old grandson that is visitiing and we are anxiously waiting for my new grand-daughter to come home. I hope you all have grand and glorious days. Suzanne, Veesie, Jackson, and Jilliebug. Waiting with Joshua for Sadie. Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: WOW....What a ride!!! [Posted in FML issue 4615]