HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: slg7m@cc.usu.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Re: Importing Parrots
Date: 27 Aug 92 21:34:12 MDT
Organization: Utah State University

In article <1992Aug27.151016.13090@nsisrv.gsfc.nasa.gov>, oday@lobster.gsfc.nasa.gov (Orin Day) writes:
> In article <29838@goofy.Apple.COM> dwb@apple.com (David W. Berry) writes:
>> In article <132@elli.une.edu.au> David Miller, dmiller@elli.une.edu.au
>> writes:
>> >>I'll be visiting Brazil later this year and I was wondering what
>> >>the requirements are to bring back a Parrot.  Is there
>> 
>> Also be advised that most major air carriers are rapidly moving towards a
>> no birds on airplanes policy.  The recent massive paranoia about smuggled
>> birds has had the usual overly exagerated results.  My stepson couldn't
>> take his handfed baby lovebird home with him because of this stupid
>> policy.
> 
> Now, is this true for domestic flights too, or just international?
> Does anybody have recent info on flying with birds that they'd 
> like to post?

My family brought our Amazon back from Peru in 1980, so any info I post here is
seriously outdated but may still be valid.  First of all, we had to get special
permission from the Peruvian government because the bird (which we'd already
had for 3 years) was an endangered species.  So anyone who wants to bring a
bird back from a foreign country should first check their law concerning the
export of those birds be it for sale or private.

Second of all, my father worked for the government so when we moved back
stateside, we had to fly Braniff (remember this is 1980 we're talking about). 
Braniff would not take birds as cargo because too many of them would die over
the 7-8 hour flight and they would not give conditions in the cargo hold which
would alleviate this (mainly light).  However, Lufthansa and I believe KLM had
no problems taking the bird as cargo, but you had to fly with them, which we
couldn't do unless my father wanted to pay for the flight out of his own
pocket.

Third of all, we had to get permission to bring the bird into the U.S. and the
bird had to go through a 30, 60, or 90 day quarantine (I can't remember which). 
We flew into Los Angeles and upon arrival surrendered the bird to quarantine. 
Arrangements we made with some pet transportation company to fly the bird here
to Utah as cargo.

So, anyone who wants to buy a bird overseas had better check the laws on
import/export for the countries involved.  If anyone wants old company names,
department names and addresses for the agencies and companies we dealt with to
get our bird here let me know.

Hope this helps.
Tanya Olsen
slg7m@cc.usu.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: gerard@caliban.soest.hawaii.edu (Gerard Fryer)
Subject: Stuff for toys (Was: Balsa Wood for Parakeets)
Organization: Scum Of the Earth and Senile Tenured
Date: Sun, 30 Aug 1992 00:52:19 GMT

In article <dpdn3g_.derich@netcom.com>, derich@netcom.com (Scott A. Steinbrink) writes:
|>   I have been buying different sizes of balsa wood for my 4 parakeets,
|>   and they just love it to bits (literally) -- THey chew on it, leaving 
|>   behind bits of woods, which makes good fire-starters.   GO to a hobby shop,
|>   and buy the thickest or longest -- it'll last longer, and your parakeets
|>   will thank you.

In the same vein old wine corks are good, especially for bigger birds.
My whatzit (blue-fronted?  orange-winged?) amazon loves corks.  A cork
can be growled at and ripped to shreds, fits in the claw nicely, and it
makes wonderful squeaking noises while it's being butchered.  String a
whole bunch together, hang them up, then get out your vacuum cleaner.
My bird doesn't like red wine corks straight from the bottle, but
enjoys ripping them apart a day later.
-- 
Gerard Fryer  (g.fryer@soest.hawaii.edu)
School of Ocean & Earth Science & Technology
University of Hawaii at Manoa
From: Debby.Steele@bird.com (Debby Steele)
Sender: FredMail@bird.com
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Re: FINCHES (ONCE AGAIN)
Date: 02 Sep 92  20:39:30 EST


 > Because they were so young (three weeks or so), we thought
 > no harm in allowing them the luxury of a nest. However,
 > with their change in behavior and the change in colour
 > and sound of Zeke we decided to remove the nest. Now,

I would not give finches a nest unless you want them to breed. If they have a
nest they will breed. They will probably lay eggs even without a nest. I think
2 months is way to young to breed. If you want babies wait until your pair is
about 8 months old. They can have babies this young but it's not good for them
or the babies.

l

 > Also, we have been trying to get them accustomed to our hands
 > but worry about traumatizing them. We know that finches will
 > never sit on our shoulder and nibble our ears, but would like

My finches never enjoy being handled. We use a net to catch birds that are in
flights, and just use our hands to catch the ones in cages. They don't enjoy it
but it doesn't hurt them either. We need to catch them to trim nails or
transfer them to other cages and they do just fine.

 > Finally, as far as feed is concerned, we have discovered that
 > the two have a furious passion for spinach and sprouts.

My birds love greens and they get them about twice a week. I feed fresh food
everyday, and it's something different everyday. When I feed greens I just hang
them and they love to pick at them. They love fresh broccoli. I break off a
piece and put it in a bowl instead of hanging it. I feed mixed vegetables a lot
and sometimes I add brown rice to it or quinoa. I feed eggfood once or twice a
week, I make bird muffins a couple times a week, wheat bread is loved also. You
can try almost anything. My birds don't like fruit but I hide the fruit in
muffins sometimes.


 * Origin: Bird Info Network Gateway 303-423-9775 (1:104/234)
From: dougnews@access.digex.com (Doug Humphrey)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Re: Importing Parrots
Date: 27 Aug 92 23:36:10 GMT
Organization: Express Access Online Communications, Greenbelt, Maryland USA


>Now, is this true for domestic flights too, or just international?
>Does anybody have recent info on flying with birds that they'd 
>like to post?

I have never had a problem with taking a bird on a 
domestic flight; there is usually a rule concerning 
how many "animals" can be in the cabin of the plane
on the flight (*one* does pop up sometimes as the 
number) but call ahead (as far ahead as possible), 
make the reservation for the pet, have a pet carrier,
and pay the charge (it varies from airline to airline)
for in-cabin.  Seems to work OK.  

International, there is also the question of "importing"
the bird.  I would worry that if I ever took one OUT of
the US getting it back in would be a problem, but that is
clearly the issue here...

One point; a lot of birds die in wild trapping (I am sure
that this has been hammered into the ground on the list)
so if you go down there and buy a wild bird as a token
to remember the trip, or just to be able to say "See,
I got this bird down in _____, isn't that neat" then 
your one bird might have been caught at the expense of 
the lives of several other birds.  If you want a bird,
it might be a good idea to get it domestically, where 
it can be hand raised, and it will not contribute to the
problems of people trapping them in the wild.

-- 
Doug Humphrey              doug@access.digex.com               +1 301 220 2020
Digital Express Group, 6006 Greenbelt Road #228, Greenbelt, Maryland 20770 USA
Express Access Online Communications for Washington/Baltimore:  info@digex.com
       Login as "new": Washington 301-220-0462, Baltimore 410-766-1855
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds,alt.folklore.science
From: updike@force.ssd.lmsc.lockheed.com (Todd F. Updike)
Subject: Re: Bird with oral fixation
Reply-To: updike@force.ssd.lmsc.lockheed.com
Organization: LMSC, Sunnyvale, California
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 92 20:05:49 GMT

In article <BtL51H.220@alsvid.une.edu.au>, 
dmiller@alsvid.une.edu.au (David Miller) writes:

(some omitted)..

>
>Now, the mirror behavior I can understand.  The bird is probably socialising
>with itself, and can't possibly comprehend that all that nice taste
>coming back from it's new-found pal is somewhat recursive.  However,
>with it's gob up a bell, it certainly can't see anything, so I doubt
>there is much if any socialising involved.

Have you considered that when the budgie looks up the bell, he still
may see himself (albeit in a somewhat distorted, magnified image), due
to basic optics principles (I assume the bell is shiny and thus acts as
a concave mirror).  If this is so, then the answer to why he does this
with the bell is the same as why he does it to the mirror.

- Todd
From: Debby.Steele@bird.com (Debby Steele)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Re: HANDLING FINCHES
Date: 31 Aug 92 17:49:54 GMT
Article-I.D.: bird.715280620.0


 > I just got for a wedding present a pair of zebra finches.  
 > I don't think I will clip the wings, since I think they will be 
 > cage-birds and they like to fly in place.  How do I go about 

I sure hope you haven't trimmed their wings. You cannot trim the wings of
finches and canaries. They would not be able to get around at all. Their beaks
are straight and they cannot use them to climb like hookbills can. Only
hookbills can have their wings trimmed.

 > Do finches require any trimming of the beak?  What kind of things 
 > should

Usually they do not, but if you have one that is overgrown or twisted in some
way I would take it to the vet and have the vet trim it at least the 1st time
to teach you how.

 > this


 > Will not giving them a nest prevent them from breeding?  Or will 
 > this

Finches especially Zebras live to breed and it's usually hard to stop them. If
you don't want babies Do Not give them a nest. The hen still might lay eggs but
just throw them out. You should not have a problem with egg binding unless she
lays constantly.

 * Origin: Bird Info Network Gateway 303-423-9775 (1:104/234)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: sdorner@qualcom.qualcomm.com (Steve Dorner)
Subject: Re: 'Tiel likes catfood?
Organization: Qualcomm, Inc., San Diego, CA
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1992 14:31:26 GMT

ooblick@intercon.com (Mikki Barry) writes:
>Pet peeve time (so to speak).  Dog food and cat food is made for dogs and 
>cats.  Dogs and cats eat each other's droppings.  Dogs and cats eat all kinds 
>of cruft that would kill a bird.

A local pet store owner (one I trust) said they had problems with
Purina monkey chow having some sort of pathogen in it.  They called
Purina, and Purina basically said "That's why we call it *monkey* chow,
stupid; it's safe for monkeys, and we're not interested in whether
or not it's healthy for birds."
-- 
Steve Dorner, Qualcomm, Inc.
Taking arms and by opposing end them, definitely.
From: minehart@iscsvax.uni.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Re: Traveling in car w/bird
Date: 31 Aug 92 17:34:20 -0500
Organization: University of Northern Iowa

I bought a pet tote from RC Steele & take Oscar, our moustached parakeet, with
me for walks in the yard and rides in the car.  Saturday I drove into town to
run an errand and Oscar and I ended up browsing for awhile at the local antique
shop which is rarely open.  We got Oscar when he was about 9 mos. old & altho'
he'd been hand fed & was real tame, it wasn't as if he'd been raised going on
car trips.  And I've only taken him in the car about a dozen times, but he
seems to like it fine.  At least he doesn't complain and he hasn't passed out
from shock.  He likes company and attention, too, so I think he'd rather be
with me than be stuck at home alone.  The pet tote is great -- it's a nylon
tote bag with mesh windows that have "shades" you can pull up or let down. 
It's just the right size for Oscar and so far he hasn't figured out that if he
wanted to, he could rip it to shreds in short order.  It's really meant for a
small dog or cat, but works perfectly for Oscar.  In the car, I hang the bag
from the passenger seat visor so he's hanging by me and can see me, but it
hangs low enough that it doesn't block my view.  That reminds me of a funny
story, tho'.  Recently, my husband and I went somewhere and he drove his pickup
and I jumped in the passenger seat (with Oscar in the bag).  After a few miles,
Tom said, "Where's Oscar?"  My heart leapt to my throat as I momentarily
wondered the same thing & visions of "did I set the tote on top of the car & it
fell off as we drove down the drive," etc., etc. ran through my mind.  Then I
realized that as I got in the car I absent-mindedly put the tote on the floor
of the car by my feet, just as I would normally do with my purse (which is
considerably heavier and which I wasn't carrying that day).  Well, it's not
really a funny story -- it could have been tragic -- if I'd stepped on him or
something.  But once I realized he was okay, I laughed nervously, and I still
have to laugh when I think about picking the tote up off the floor and getting
the evil eye from Oscar.

Well, this was a long way to say that I can't believe your bird won't just LOVE
traveling with you.  We've taken Oscar on longer trips (5-6 hours), too, and on
those he sits on our shoulders and preens himself, plays with a toy, or watches
the world go by.  It's fun traveling with him.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: chris@unislc.uucp (Chris DelPrete)
Subject: Re: Hi! I'm new here:)
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL5
Organization: Unisys Corporation SLC
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1992 16:55:52 GMT

Are you up on psittacine nutritional needs (as best we know them)?  Please,
don't feed Monet the death diet (seed and water)!!!!!  Drop me a line if you
want to know more about nutrition.


-- 
                          _   /|
Chris DelPrete Delaney    \'o.O'
chris@unislc              =(___)=
                             U
From: Carolann.Payne@bird.com (Carolann Payne)
Sender: FredMail@bird.com
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Re: CASEY
Date: 01 Sep 92  15:51:00 EST


 > pie.  You go for walks OUTSIDE with Casey??????  Zeke lives in the 

  We live in a neighborhood with trees, yards, gardens, and sidewalks. I only
take him out occasionally, making SURE his feathers have not grown back in,
after a trimming. He loves to go shopping and to the bank. Everyone in the bank
knows his name and says Hi to him FIRST!      We're just glad to have you
online!  Be sure to tell your friends, with birds, about BIN!  (BG)
 * Origin: Bird Info Network Gateway 303-423-9775 (1:104/234)
From: fease@dkas.enet.dec.com (Andrea Midtmoen Fease)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Re: How BirdieIzed Are You?
Date: 1 Sep 92 18:49:12 GMT
Organization: Digital Equipment Corp., Marlboro MA


>which brings me to the next topic.  what is the extent that you will
>bring your birdie into conversation at work or in social gatherings?

     Well, gee, it doesn't take much to get me to talk about my three cats,
nine rabbits, 61 chickens, three turkeys, two peacocks, various pheasants ...

					;^)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: fease@dkas.enet.dec.com (Andrea Midtmoen Fease)
Subject: Re: Perching Chicken 8-) !
Organization: Digital Equipment Corp., Marlboro MA
Date:  4 SEP 92 09:19:53    


     Thanks to Mike and Doug for the "Sweep Motion" and "Up Command"
suggestions.  I will try one or both, and see what works.  The hard part is 
that this chicken is in with 49 others, so it's hard to tell who is who until 
she perches (but I can take care of that with a different color leg band ;^) ).

     I'll try these over the long weekend and see what happens.  We'll see if
chickens are really as stupid as they claim ;^) !

     Thanks again, and keep the suggestions coming just in case she's too
dumb for these 8-) !

					- Andrea
From: Lisa.Gorove@bird.com (Lisa Gorove)
Sender: FredMail@bird.com
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: CASEY
Date: 01 Sep 92  10:34:29 EST

Hi Carolann.  Casey sounds like a trip and John a saint!  I'm curious
about how Zuba will do with strangers.  ONe of the reasons I fell in love with
her immediately was her willingness to go to anyone human and coo and ruffle
her feathers.  Have a feeling she is a sweetie pie.  You go for walks OUTSIDE
with Casey??????  Zeke lives in the city - perhaps I protect him but have not
ventured out.  U must work on John for a Grey baby. While I am currently goint
thru a bit of a rough time with Zeke due to our vacation, I would not give him
up for the world.  My sweetie is so smart, and so loving (when he has not been
feeling rejected!!!).  
I've told everyone I've talked to thanks for the welcome - this is absolutely
great to be on line!!!
Lisa G.
 * Origin: Bird Info Network Gateway 303-423-9775 (1:104/234)
From: dbwebe@bb1t.monsanto.com
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: 'Tiel likes catfood?
Date: 26 Aug 92 08:22:31 CST
Organization: Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO




	Yes, my 'tiel seems to think he found a gold mine in the
	cat food bag (the cats are outside and I take the cat chow
	out to them). Just that regular hard cat chow, but boy he 
	seemed to really be getting into gnawing a piece up and eating
	it. I thought it might be best to check the net wisdom on this
	before I let him have anymore. Is that stuff too hard on their
	digestive system??

	Thanks in advance for your advice.
From: fease@dkas.enet.dec.com (Andrea Midtmoen Fease)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Re: How BirdieIzed Are You?
Date: 1 Sep 92 18:52:00 GMT
Organization: Digital Equipment Corp., Marlboro MA


>> "it's only a bird" 

     This kind of comment really burns me up.  I have a diabetic cat.  He 
needs shots twice a day and is on a rigorous schedule.  I've been told "it's
only a cat, you can be late" and even "that's so much trouble, why don't you
just have him put to sleep?" !

     Grrrrr .....

					- Andrea
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: wiegand@rtsg.mot.com (Robert Wiegand)
Subject: Re: What shouldn't I feed my Budgie
Reply-To: motcid!wiegand@uunet.uu.net
Organization: Motorola Inc., Cellular Infrastructure Group
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 15:36:12 GMT

devon@pyrnova.mis.pyramid.com (Devon Nichols) writes:


>I'm a new parakeet owner and I am wondering if there is a list
>of foodstuffs not wise to give to the little guys.  My budgie
>keeps trying to nibble on my Aloe Vera plant and I do my best
>to discourage him from nibbling on anything while he is out of
>his cage (under my constant supervision of course).  Also, I
>would hate to offer a food that was poisonous.

>I've tried offering him greens, corn, carrot, fresh
>peas, and fresh fruits... he only eats bird seed (the "Death
>Diet").  I worry that this may not be a very nutritous diet for 
>him.  Any suggestions?

>Cheers!
>Devon

Never feed a bird chocolate, it can kill them. Avoid "junk food".

Some things to try: apple, grapes, corn on the cob, cheese
(cheese only in small amounts - mine love it, but they shouldn't eat alot)

Let them watch you eat - make a big deal out of it - birds learn by example
an will be more willing to try something if they see you eating it.


-- 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert Wiegand - Motorola Inc.
uunet!motcid!wiegand
Disclamer: I didn't do it - I was somewhere else at the time.
From: dmiller@elli.une.edu.au (David Miller)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Re: cockatiels/parakeets
Date: 1 Sep 92 14:26:11 GMT
Organization: University of New England - Northern Rivers (Lismore)


In "rec.pets.birds", gordy@endor wrote:-
>My parakeet does the same thing with my mouth.  Do 'keets
>also nest the same way as 'tiels?  I've been wondering
>what the fascination was and this explains a lot!
>
>Rob

 
Budgies do nest in tree hollows, as is typical of (all? - or at least 
the common) Australian parrots.  This is why there is a significant
problem with the felling of old forests for development or logging,
and the spread of introduced hollow-dwelling birds (such as the
Mynah, from India) which usurp spaces otherwise used by natives.

BTW, I've never heard of bird fascination with mouth holes before --
sounds quite amusing!

-- 
David M Miller                   "Just because they're yelling at you
PO Box 695                       doesn't mean you are wrong".
Hornsby NSW 2077, Australia      --  Ritchie Garcia, baseball umpire
Internet: dmiller@elli.une.edu.au / C$: 100032,341 / GE: D.MILLER3@GENIE
Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: rnakkula@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Robin J Nakkula)
Subject: Re: variation of friendliness of pet rats???
Organization: The Ohio State University
Distribution: na
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 04:28:36 GMT

In article <1992Aug25.050301.26289@klic.rain.com> dont@klic.rain.com (Don taylor

I've been selectively breeding rats for friendliness toward humans for over 10
years now, and have been extremely successful.  Temperament is much more
genetically determined in rats than in humans, but training can still make a
big difference; it just may take longer in a given rat than in another.

>Is there a lot of variation of temperment between rats?

Yes; for instance, there are 2 different albino lab rat strains that form an
interesting contrast. One is called Fisher,and when the genetics of that strain
were being standardized, a nasty temperament and a tendancy to bite with no
reason got included into the baggage (someone didn't know what they were doing,
I guess).  On the other hand, Sprague-Daly rats, are just as white and probably
bigger, but are extremely docile and will not bite (they may not like what you
are doing to them, but they don't agressively object to being picked up, held,
etc. 

>Is there a better place to buy friendly rats?

well, yes, from me, but I tend to confine my business to those midwestern
science fiction conventions that (a) I can get to and (b) whose hotel
accomodates pets. Shipping rats is drastically expensive..

>Is there anything published on rats that is not a: for 6 year olds, or b: for
>   lab dissection?

Not much (there are TFH (?) imprint books that are more aimed at 10-year-olds.
Once my fiance and I had digested those, we turned to the zoology section of
our local university library for some published tomes.

>Is there a rat owner's organization in this country?

There are several, but they tend to be on either coast and I'm in the
Midwest, so I've never connected.

@@@---Robin Nakkula, owner of Daisy, who has made a name for herself
on the GEnie BBS's SFRT
From: ab3n+@andrew.cmu.edu (Alexander Bernard Brands)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Rabbit eating feces
Date: 3 Sep 92 23:59:29 GMT
Organization: Senior, Biology, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA


My friends rabbit has picked up the not-so-nice habit of sitting in the
litter box and chowing down on her own feces.  Why is she doing this? 
What can be done to fix the situation?
I think this was discussed a couple months ago, but I can't remember
what the concensus was.
      Thanks in advance
           -Alex
Newsgroups: rec.pets