Remembering Girdie

2013 - 2025

There are no words to express our grief over the loss of Bird TLC’s Ambassador Crow, Girdie. After being found with a non-releasable injury on the side of the road, Girdie spent her life as an ambassador joyfully teaching thousands of people.  Anyone who had the pleasure of meeting Girdie was drawn to her boisterous personality, whether she was taking a bath during a program, vocalizing loudly, tearing into enrichment or opening her own kennel door, you couldn’t help but smile when Girdie was around you. The loss of Girdie’s calls of greeting and her purrs of happiness are felt deeply by our education team. The huge impact made by such a small bird has been felt across the world as she not only participated in education programs across Alaska, she also was the subject of an award-winning training presentation and a representative of the power of choice-based training.

I had the absolute privilege of spending the last 10.5 years with Girdie. I watched her as she went from a timid rehabilitation patient to a strong and confident ambassador for her species. While my heart is shattered at the loss of precious Girdie, I am so thankful for the time I was able to spend learning from her, loving her, and watching her touch the lives of so many. Her life will never be forgotten, and the sadness I feel is touched by the joy she shared with the world.

- Chandelle Cotter, Education and Behavior Curator