Worthy swansong for trio

A blind, bisexual goose has been remembered with a gravestone plaque, next to where his swan partner lies.

Thomas the goose died this year aged 40, and was buried next to Henry the swan, his partner of nearly 30 years, on the edge of the Ka¯piti Coast lagoon they called home.

Thomas and Henry spent 18 years together before they were joined by another swan, Henrietta.

Mik Peryer, who guides tours around Waimanu Lagoon and spent 26 years watching the birds, said they became icons.

The feathered threesome raised 68 cygnets together before Henry’s 2009 death; Henrietta flew off with another swan and Thomas was left ‘‘heartbroken’’.

Thomas eventually fathered his own babies but they were stolen by another goose, George, who raised them as his own.

‘‘You would see George and the babies with Thomas just following them around.’’

Failing eyesight and attacks by swans saw Thomas rehomed in 2013 to the Wellington Bird Rehabilitation Trust.

On Saturday, about 50 people turned up for the unveiling, Peryer said.

‘‘The council came to the party with the stone and our local funeral home provided the plaque, it was brilliant.’’

Rehabilitation trust owner Craig Shepherd cared for Thomas in his later years and said he was a character.

‘‘He was a gentleman, he was kind to every other bird he bumped into, literally.’’

Ka¯piti Coast Mayor K Gurunathan spoke at the unveiling and said Thomas’ life made for an amazing story. ‘‘It’s made Thomas the goose the feather ambassador for inclusiveness and kindness.’’