OnTheFence – As this was dreamt by your husband and described to you it clouds the issue a little – makes it harder to get at the meaning.
But birds, unless attacking, are a way of lifting our viewpoint above the everyday world of worries, guilt and hurts. That the bird is dark suggests that it is not fully in the dreamers awareness at the moment, but could be is entered into by using
https://dreamhawk.com/dream-encyclopedia/acting-on-your-dream/#BeingPersonBut those are just words, and as always I suggest that the dreamer can find out what the dream means by entering into the images of the dream. So ask him to try using what is suggested above.
But realise that dreams are not a means of spreading bad news or thoughts, but are acting in a way for your husband to find out what is best for him and you. So do not start fretting that his dream is a portent for more personal pain. And if you can use it, see
http://dreamhawk.com/dream-encyclopedia/questions/#FaceFearTony