A Promise Kept: Colonal Sanders, the cardinal, now living free in Kentucky!

[Sophia Andrews]

When my husband, Scott, and I first rescued Colonel Sanders, the cardinal, last July (http://darynkagan.ning.com/forum/topics/what-is-your-animal-miracle), we promised her that we would return her to her native Kentucky once she grew old enough and strong enough. After spending the winter with us, we knew she was ready to be released. We initially didn’t know her sex, and just referred to her as a boy. But, it became clear as, time went on, that she was a girl, as she never developed the red colour that characterizes the males.

A few nights before taking her back home to Kentucky, I played the Stephen Foster song, “My Old Kentucky Home” for her on the piano. Scott brought a branch into the room for her to perch on, and he filmed her listening to me play. It was a sweet and special farewell ceremony.

On Saturday May 15, we headed to Louisville, KY; to a park we had pre-selected to be Colonel’s new home. We’d chosen Louisville, as it is a shorter drive for us than her birthplace of Lexington. It’ll be more accessible for future visits. Its climate is very similar to Lexington’s. They are both milder than here in northern Indiana. The park, itself, has lots of wooded areas, streams, and food sources (weeds, leaves, berries, etc.).

When we arrived at the park that day, we laid out our blanket and enjoyed a picnic, complete with a bucket of KFC! Colonel sat in her cage right next to us. She was so relaxed, which was unusual for her. She’d never been completely tame or comfortable around us, due to us rescuing her past the “tame-ability window.” We gathered weeds and berries and stuck them through the bars of the cage for her to eat. She seemed to be sensing that something big was about to happen. We hear numerous other cardinals in the area, and Colonel happily responded to them with chirps and singing of her own.

After several hours, we arrived at the bittersweet moment when we were going to carry through with letting her go. We stepped into a wooded area with the cage. Scott removed its bottom, and placed the cage top (with Colonel still in it) on the ground. I slowly tipped the cage top backwards, and just like that Colonel fluttered out and into a nearby shrub. She seemed so gratefully surprised at her newfound freedom, but at the same time, was obviously not in a panic to get as far away from us as possible. I had contemplated holding her and releasing her from my hand. However, I decided against it, as I didn’t want her to feel that she was “escaping” from me. Rather, I wanted her to view her release as a voluntary gift of freedom given whole-heartedly to her from us.

Immediately after Colonel landed in the shrub, a couple of cardinals (male and female pair) descended on her. They were quite aggressive and chased her away from the immediate area. It turned out that they had a nest with eggs in the area and were territorial. We couldn’t help but feel sorry for Colonel, as she seemed so shocked and hurt by the way those cardinals reacted to her. She’d always been excited every time she heard a cardinal outside when she was living with us. We know she was expecting them to want to be friends with her. Still nothing could take away the happiness she felt at just being free. We caught several more glimpses of Colonel before we left the park that day. She remained in the same general area, and allowed us to observe from a couple of feet away.

It was hard for me to let Colonel go. Part of me wants to protect her from all potential danger, and provide for her every need. But, I know that she wouldn’t be happy living life as a caged bird. I rest assured knowing that I did the right thing. Now, every time I hear a cardinal, I think of her and wonder what she is doing in her forever home of Louisville, Kentucky. I thank God for the opportunity He gave me to interact so closely and bond with His creation.

The following photos show me playing the piano while Colonel listens, our picnic at the park, and Colonel as a free bird!

[Erin]

how sweet -and I'm sure she'll live a happier life with freedom. Thanks so much for sharing this with our community!

[Karl Martin]

If I didn't know better, I'd say it looks like the Colonel is singing along while you're playing piano. I'm sure she'll enjoy her new found freedom,and I don't know if birds have emotions, but I'm sure she'll miss you guys as well. Thanks for sharing the update.