By Gia Vang

EUGENE, Ore. -- Most people think of small birds as family pets, but one is being called a colleague and friend.

The Cascades Raptors Center is mourning the loss of Toto, a small falcon and long-time focus of instruction at the center.

Staff and friends bid farewell to the 15-year-old American Kestrel who came to the center back in 1994.

Kit Lacy, the educational director, said Toto touched many lives, even outside the center as an ambassador for kestrels everywhere and winning the drawing to becoming Fairfield Elementary's falcon.

"People would walk up and say, where's Toto, is Toto here today? People remembered him, knew his name, could not wait to see him."

Another staff, Louise Shimmel, said, "They had no idea that this was a wild bird, he was so colorful, outgoing and bobbing his head and he just really grabbed a lot of people."

A lot of those people showed up to share their stories of Toto.  Some shared it in writing.  Letter after letter went into the small falcon's next.  One said Toto was their favorite.

But tears were hard to hold back while the crowd remembered better days before Toto got cancer in October.  Brian Shug, a center volunteer said they'll miss him.

"For the last half of the year, we miss when you open up that door and walk in, and his greeting, his chirp that he gives, a good morning," he said.

There will be no more morning chirps from their feathered friend, but they say it's what Toto taught them that will live on.

"Not a better bird in the world to be your first bird on the glove and help you overcome anxiety," Lacy said.

Staff said Toto's passing was peaceful Monday.  He died inside a nest built for him.  They said he'll be buried in one of the center's butterfly gardens.