HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: kloomis@cco.caltech.edu (Kate E. Loomis)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: left-handed cockatoo?
Date: 23 Nov 1992 20:05:50 GMT
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
NNTP-Posting-Host: sandman.caltech.edu

Hi Net land:

I have recently noticed that my umbrella cockatoo always steps
up onto my hand with her left foot first. She roosts on both 
feet, more or less (seems to prefer standing on her left foot, but
does both.) Does anybody else have a bird that is right- or left-
handed?

Kate
From: kelly@cco.caltech.edu (Kelly F.)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Re: Here Pretty Bird!  Heeeeere, Pretty Bird!
Date: 18 Nov 1992 00:30:05 GMT
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
NNTP-Posting-Host: sandman.caltech.edu

In article <1992Nov17.173502.25794@tadtec.uucp> Diana Bray <djb@tadtec.co.uk> writes:
>Do any of the other pelleted foods taste good?
>Diana

Well, I was wondering about Pretty Bird myself, quite a number of people
I know have used it, and I *like* the way its shaped differently and
has different sizes and is kind of a crunchy biscuit texture, but I don't
like the smell (too overpowering, nothing in 'nature' smells like that!) 
and it tastes (to me) like all the other pelleted diets I've tasted.
My friends and I have tasted big handfuls of the stuff, why should I
feed it to my birds if i won't eat it?! I think everyone should do this,
especially since birds seem to enjoy sharing 'people food.' All the
pelleted diets (Laefer's, Roudybush, and some local mixes, I want to
try Dr. D's...) I've tasted taste the same, some a little more flavorful
than cardboard (Laefer's isn't that bad...) I also like the Zupreem
biscuits over basic Purina Monkeychow biscuits and I think they are
more nutritional for birds as well as better tasting. 

I've been trying the same 'taste tests' on 'avian gourmet' diets: bean/rice
mixtures. My favorites so far are from 'Flights of Fancy' the 'birdie
omelet' ( whole eggs, milk, rice, flour, soya and vegetables) is great
and I feel better about sharing this, than my real breakfast. The
'parrot familia' (oatmeal, milk, bananas, other fruit, and cinnamon) is
my breakfast as well when I'm in a rush, yum! Some of the spicy stuff is
too much for me, the dried chili's the birds i know *love* ("edible
rattle/chew toys") burn right through my skin! Banana Rice Pudding (rice,
barley, bananas, raisins, milk) is great! I have to admit i like fresh 
bananas over the dried ones, so i add in fresh bananas which the birds
love, one of their favorite fruits. Oh and with a little sauce the 
"pasta-bilities w/ vegetables" makes a great light dinner...! :-)

Ok, so everyone thinks I'm nuts, but if I don't don't like it, why should
my birds? their tastes vary from mine of course, but I should at least
be able to swallow the stuff. One of my friend's couldn't understand
why her macaw hates melons, especially cantelopes, but she wasn't feeding 
them *ripe* melons, once they had a ripe melon, like you or I eat, she
ate some...! 

What surprises me is the fat content of a lot of the pelleted foods, higher
than what is usually recommended...so watch out for that.

Kelly
kelly@cco.caltech.edu

Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: hackney@moxie.hou.tx.us (Greg Hackney)
Subject: Re: Birdie Beak Bonking
Keywords: bonk bonk bonk <hey cut that out!> bonk bonk bonk
Organization: Home
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 04:03:17 GMT

>bgt@cbnewsh.cb.att.com (barbara.tongue) writes:
>>he started bonking his beak against the food dish, the computer
>>screen, the desk sides, etc., all along looking at me and chanting

He is play fighting at attacking another bird! 

My yellow nape does this all the time. Sometimes I'll join in the play by
using an index finger to fight back, simulating the other bird. It really
doesn't make him mean, he just likes to play like he's a tough guy. He's
never bitten anyone hard.
--
Greg Hackney
hackney@moxie.hou.tx.us
From: tewok@cs.umd.edu (Wayne Morrison)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Re: Here Pretty Bird!  Heeeeere, Pretty Bird!
Date: 18 Nov 92 23:04:54 GMT

Thanks to all who have and who will answer my request for information.
I'm going to call the Dr. D and try to get some info from them about
their pellets.

I didn't want to start a holy war, and thankfully everyone has kept
things nice and polite.  I've only started reading this newsgroup two
months ago, so I missed all the spirited discussion when it last
happened.  Perhaps there should be a monthly FAQ that includes this
info?

				Thanks!
				Wayne

PS. I'm going away for a week or so tomorrow.  If anyone sends personal 
mail, I'm not ignoring you; I'm just unavailable.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: wiegand@rtsg.mot.com (Robert Wiegand)
Subject: Re: Need Reference on Pet Bird Behavior
Keywords: book, pet bird behavior, wanted
Reply-To: motcid!wiegand@uunet.uu.net
Organization: Motorola Inc., Cellular Infrastructure Group
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 19:50:21 GMT

wsg@cbnewsk.cb.att.com (Wendy S. Grohol) writes:

>I bought a green cheek conure earlier this month and even
>though I had read up on pet birds previously, I want to 
>understand what the bird is doing and why. The books I've
>read don't talk about behavior so I'm wondering if there are
>any good books out there.

I don't know a good book, but here's some information from personal
experience:

>I'm a little disturbed that the bird has bathed 3 times this week.

This isn't a problem. Many conures love to take baths. It doesn't hurt
them, and they like doing it, so let them have fun.
Just make sure they stay warm until they dry off.

>I'm curious as to why he bobs up and down on occasion.

I'm not sure exactly, but it basically means the bird is excited.
Its nothing to worry about.

>I'm wondering if I can do something to teach him not to scream every
>time I leave the room.

You can't stop it from screaming, but you have to be carefull not to
encourage it. Don't pay attention to it when it yells . It will learn
quickly that it get attention by yelling.

>I'm wondering what the different sound he makes mean.

Some don't anything in particular, birds will sometimes make noise just
to make noise. If you watch you bird wou will eventually learn alot
about how it expresses itself.

>I wonder if there's anything I get for him so he won't be bored
>while I'm at work.
>etc.

Yes - get it toys to play with. A good pet store should have a selection
of things to choose from. Try diferent things to find what type your
bird likes. Give it a few weeks before giving up on a toy, sometimes
it takes a while before they start playing with a new toy.
Something my conure loves is the cardboard roll from a toilet paper roll.
He loves to chew it up. Toys don't have to be expensive.
You can also fine lots of different toys advertised in "Bird Talk" magazine.

-- 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert Wiegand - Motorola Inc.
motcid!wiegand@uunet.uu.net            uunet!motcid!wiegand
Disclamer: I didn't do it - I was somewhere else at the time.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: Moritz@cvmmdl2.msstate.edu (K.Moritz)
Subject: Re: Lethal cookware?
Organization: Mississippi State University
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 16:09:16 GMT

Nobody seems to have mentioned the cookware by Corning called Visons. It
is glass, like most Corningware stuff.  I love it, it is great!  My husband
doesn't like it because, like cooking with electric it stays hotter longer.
It doesn't cool off as fast.  So cooking with it takes some getting used to, 
especially if you are used to cooking with gas and metal cookware.
It heats up faster and stays hot longer.  I think that it can save on energy,
because you can actually turn off the stove, and it will continue to stay hot.
I don't have the Visions with the non-stick coating, just plain old Visons.
Kristin
From: fease@dkas.enet.dec.com (Andrea Midtmoen Fease)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Ammonia problem
Date: 23 Nov 92 19:24:58 GMT
Organization: Digital Equipment Corp., Marlboro MA

Hi,

     I know not too many people have chickens, but perhaps this is a problem
in a large aviary too?  Anyway, if anyone has a solution, I'd *love* to know
it.

     The past couple of days here in Massachusetts have been very warm 
(around 600) and humid (lots of rain, downpours, even a thunderstorm).  Our
normally clean barn was *filled* with ammonia odor this morning, so bad that
I had to removed one of the chickens whose eyes were all red (almost looked
bloody, except there was no external blood).  By lunchtime the redness and
swelling had gone down a bit, as she is now downstairs in our basement
recuperating.  I immediately opened the doors, stirred the shavings and put
down some deodorant and put down another half bale of shavings.  The building
is 10'x20' with a middle window and side vents (one of those cedar sheds, if
you've seen them around).

     I believe it's the high humidity and warmth that had prevented the 
ammonia from evaporating.  So ... is there anyone out there that has a barn
or aviary and has solved this problem?  I can't put a fan in; we tried once
and the corn/pellet dust and feather dust got into the mechanism ... and the
fan caught fire!  Luckilly we were home and able to douse the fire ... the
"bright" chickens just huddled on the other side of the barn and didn't yell
or otherwise tell us - it was lucky I happened to look out the window and see
the smoke billowing out!  The floor of the barn is plywood, so I can't (well
I *could* but I don't *want* to) rip it out and put in hardware cloth instead
(plus it would be *real* tempting for the raccoons around here if I did that!).

     Thanks for any and all help!

					- Andrea 
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: ammg2052@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Aaron M. Moy)
Subject: RE: Problems with beak & feather picking
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Tue, 24 Nov 1992 04:51:17 GMT

Regarding JIM SCHELTS' article:

Birds usually keep their beak from being overgrown through normal, everyday 
beak grinding and eating.  However, you might try a toy with wood and lava 
rocks to control beak overgrowth.  A good avian vet can also do wonders with
the beak with a Dremel tool.

For feather picking, it is important to absolutely rule out such causes as
mites or vitamin deficiencies (especially vitamins A and B).  Once it can be
determined that the cause is not biological or organic, the only other cause
is psychological.  Sometimes, the bird will take its own feathers in order
to help set up a nest.  Most other times, though, the bird is just bored,
frustrated, or distraught.  This condition is more common in the more emotional
birds like African Greys, Cockatoos, and Macaws.

Has your bird been receiving less attention then he's used too?  Does he lack
activities to do throughout the day? Try a rotation of bird toys to help keep
his mind off of feather picking.  Maybe a TV or radio will also help relieve
any boredom.  Some extra attention may also help, but this serves to 
reinforce his negative behavior.  Feather picking is indeed a puzzling and 
discouraging ailment which greatly affects both bird and owner.

Aaron Moy
ammg2052@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu                      Was that the phone...
"The Baby's Nest" Hand-Fed Birds               or the bird???
Urbana, Illinois
(217) 328-1838
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: hanson@ucs.indiana.edu (Fred D. Hanson)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Re: Handling birds (was Re: Parrots and oral medicine)
Date: 16 Nov 92 17:30:40 GMT
Article-I.D.: ucs.hanson.8.721935040
Organization: Indiana University

In article <1992Nov13.232625.20739@news.Hawaii.Edu> gerard@caliban.soest.hawaii.edu (Gerard Fryer) writes:
>From: gerard@caliban.soest.hawaii.edu (Gerard Fryer)
>Subject: Handling birds (was Re: Parrots and oral medicine)
>Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1992 23:26:25 GMT
>In article <hanson.6.721502920@ucs.indiana.edu>, hanson@ucs.indiana.edu (Fred D. Hanson) writes:
>|> If you do really
>|> have to restrain your bird to give it medicine which is usually done by
>|> wrapping it in a towel (at least for the larger birds) then my vet
>|> recommends wearing a mask and not talking so that the bird does not know it
>|> is you.  Thus you don't run the risk of hurting your relationship with the
>|> bird.
>|> 
>
>I have often wondered about this.  What about wing trimming and
>clipping claws?  Should you disguise yourself then too?  I have always
>been afraid that if I trim my amazon's wings I'll lose her trust, so
>instead I take her to a really good local pet store for that routine.
>-- 
>Gerard Fryer  (g.fryer@soest.hawaii.edu)
>School of Ocean & Earth Science & Technology
>University of Hawaii at Manoa

I too would like to hear from others on this subject.  My cockatoo lets me
stretch out her wing and clip it with very little fuss but I let my vet do
her nails.  I don't want to attempt to restain her unless someday I really 
have to do it.  And not only because of the possible damage to our
relationship but the fact she has a very large, sharp beak.  The vet does
the towel and grab routine very well.  I'm not sure I want the bird or myself
to suffer through me learning how to do this just right.  It's not worth 
the $8 I pay 2-3 times a year. Plus, most avian vets will weight and check 
the bird over at the same time which is an added bonus.

Fred              hanson@ucs.indiana.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: hanson@ucs.indiana.edu (Fred D. Hanson)
Subject: Re: building large bird cage?
Organization: Indiana University
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 14:28:49 GMT

In article <1992Nov21.211150.7046@news.columbia.edu> marg@watsun.cc.columbia.edu (Margarita Suarez) writes:
>From: marg@watsun.cc.columbia.edu (Margarita Suarez)
>Subject: building large bird cage?
>Date: 21 Nov 92 21:11:50 GMT
>
>i'm looking to give my pair of lovebirds a larger cage to romp around in
>-- the one they're in seems much too small.  i figure if i'm going to
>upgrade, i might as well give them as much room as possible.
>
>i have an area about 3' x 3' where i'd put the cage (height doesn't
>matter much -- i have high ceilings).  i did some looking around, and
>pet stores in manhattan are quoting me prices in the $700 range (gack!).
>
>i'd like to make my own cage, but i understand there could be problems
>with the birds gnawing their way out if i use wood.
>
>has anybody made their own cage?  can you provide advice (better,
>plans)?
>

One recommendation; put the wire on the inside.  They will still gnaw some
of the wood but probably not be able to cause any real structural damage :)

If you decide not to build then check out some of the mailorder companies
in a bird magazine such as Bird Talk.  

Good luck!  Fred
>thanks,
>marg@columbia.edu
> VOICE:  w:212-854-5434 h:212-932-3023 | The important thing about a battleship
>INTERNET:  marg@watsun.cc.columbia.edu | is that it shoots.  It floats, and it
> BITNET:            marg@cunixf.bitnet | is a ship, but the important thing
>  UUCP:  !rutgers!columbia!cunixf!marg | about a battle ship is that it shoots.
From: kelly@cco.caltech.edu (Kelly F.)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Re: More on teaching Tiels to talk
Date: 23 Nov 1992 03:09:13 GMT
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
NNTP-Posting-Host: sandman.caltech.edu

In article <By51pE.5r7@news.cso.uiuc.edu> ammg2052@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Aaron M. Moy) writes:
>One important factor regarding 'tiels that talk is gender.  In a recent survey
>conducted by Bird Talk magazine, it was found that 98% of the tiels that did
>talk were male (though I'm not sure how the owners were certain of their
>bird's sex).  From personal experience with breeding and raising cockatiels,
>I would say that the males are definitely more vocal as a whole, and thus
>would be more likely to talk than females.

We have a young, male cockatiel (we assume was handraised, he was found
in a parking lot over two months ago and is just now molting into adult
plumage.) We conclude he's male since he is the basic gray and is coming 
into adult plumage, and because of his behavior. He cries whenever we are
out of rthe room (but is getting better) and when he did we'd answer
him "i'm here!" so now he says that and 'mommy' and 'pretty bird' and
does a wolf whistle. He voice is not that clear, but it really is pretty
close (of course this from his 'mommy'....)

Kelly
kelly@cco.caltech.edu

Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: feathers@eskimo.com (Cheryl Owen)
Subject: Re: Here Pretty Bird! Heeeeere, Pretty Bird!
Organization: <<< ESKIMO NORTH (206)-FOR-EVER >>>
Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1992 04:51:26 GMT

   My birds all loved Pretty Bird, too.  It seems to rate very highly in
acceptability for parrots generally; one of the best veterinarians in
Seattle recommended it to clients who were having a hard time getting
their birds to eat any kinds of pellets.  He thought that perhaps Pretty
Bird was a little high in sugar, but didn't seem overly concerned about
it.  Even fussy cockatiels will often eat PB when they won't eat
anything else.  
   Was there a pellet brand controversy going on?  I only recently
started reading this newsgroup.  There are lots of good avian pellets on
the market these days; such a nice change from the old days!
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: oday@lobster.gsfc.nasa.gov  (Orin Day)
Subject: Re: Here Pretty Bird!  Heeeeere, Pretty Bird!
Reply-To: oday@lobster.gsfc.nasa.gov  (Orin Day)
Organization: Goddard Space Flight Center
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 19:51:48 GMT

In article <1ec2qdINNgqi@gap.caltech.edu> kelly@cco.caltech.edu (Kelly F.)  
writes:
> pelleted diets (Laefer's, Roudybush, and some local mixes, I want to
> try Dr. D's...) I've tasted taste the same, some a little more flavorful
> than cardboard 

Dr. D also has some spicy diets.  Apparently birds like very strong
spices like garlic, paprika, red peppers, etc.  I made an order
from them on Friday and it came yesterday AM, UPS!  Check these out,
but WITH CAUTION and water nearby!!

Orin

--
************* "How about a little fire, Scarecrow?" **************
Orin Day, Code 664.1                    oday@lobster.gsfc.nasa.gov
Hughes STX/NASA       GSFC Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics
*******"Think that this is NASA's opinion?   NO, NO, NO!!!" ******
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: lind@ll.mit.edu (Tom Lind)
Subject: Re: Have no fear! (Was:B&G Macaw)
Followup-To: rec.pets.birds
Organization: MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 92 14:06:34 GMT

In article <1eegngINN66n@skat.usc.edu>, melton@skat.usc.edu (Melton) wrote:
> 
> In article <BxxM53.5J3@news.cso.uiuc.edu> ammg2052@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Aaron M. Moy) writes:
> 
> >	    I really wouldn't advise making such a large bird your first
> >	    experience with hand feeding.  There is great risk that the novice
> >	    hand feeder may squirt the food at the wrong moment, possibly 
> >	    introducing food into the lungs.  I don't believe that a strong
> >	    individual bond is formed between the hand feeder and the baby.
> 
> Well, politely, I must disagree with most of this. I think feeding a
> baby bird is a wonderful experience--and easy. My first bird ever was
> (and still is) a macaw, whom I purchased as a baby. I don't believe I was
> in any danger of shooting formula into his lungs. Also, I really do believe
> that bonding is established during these feedings.
> Mike

I would agree with Mike and add a few of my own comments.  The biggest
mistake I've seen people make when hand feeding is to point the syringe
directly into the throat area.  It should be pointing to the side and the
rate of food introduced should be determined by what the bird will take
without a lot of spillage.  Less won't hurt - more will spill - as long as
the syringe is pointing to the side.  I beleive that it has been well
established that a person who hand-feeds a bird AND nurtures it will
establish a strong bond with the bird.  If it is done mechanically, then
noly feeding is accomplished.

Tom...

Thomas A. Lind  < lind@ll.mit.edu >   |   Work Hard, tell everyone every-
Electrooptical Devices Group          |   thing you know, close a deal
MIT Lincoln Lab                       |   with a handshake, and HAVE FUN.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: bgt@cbnewsh.cb.att.com (barbara.tongue)
Subject: Birdie Beaks and Jewelry
Organization: AT&T
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 11:17:45 GMT
Keywords: never the twain shall meet....

folks,

i have a very simple question.  for all of y'all out there who
wear rings or earrings, how do you keep inquisitive beaks from
performing open-heart surgery on them?

and so starteth monday,

-- 
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%   The Speaking Tongue, AT&T   %%  C Code.  C Code Run.  Run, Code, RUN! %%
%%       bgt@hogpf.att.com       %%           PLEASE!!!!                   %%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: mvlelach@titan.ucc.umass.edu (MELINDA V LELACHEUR)
Subject: suki easter
Organization: University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1992 15:52:03 GMT

Hi suki this is the person with parrotlets
I did not get your correct email address please write again with phone number
yes this is a different account than the last write either
SORRY TO ALL OTHERS READING
From: Moritz@cvmmdl2.msstate.edu (K.Moritz)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Re: link between birds and lung cancer?
Date: 16 Nov 92 16:03:50 GMT
Article-I.D.: ra.1992Nov16.160350.9461
Organization: Mississippi State University

Actually, if you read the article in the USA today carefully, it doesn't even
specifically state that the 239  people interviewed were non-smokers or
not exposed to passive smoke.  It was worded in such a way that it lead me
to believe that they took into account that "all factors were equal" and that
even if they were smokers or exposed to smoke, their risk of lung cancer was
greater if they owned birds.  
I feel that they need to have a specific study with only people who do not
smoke or are exposed to smoke and own birds, before they just to the conclusion
that it is the birds that actually cause the cancer.
There was another statement that really "puckered my behind", to say the least,
:-)  The doctor that they interviewed for the article states:
"Would I personally have pet birds?  I do not believe in increasing any
unncessary risk, but I wouldn't tell everyone to open up their window and
set the birds out to nature."
This statement really makes me mad, because we all know that there some idiots
out there who, reading this will think that letting their birds go is actually
an option.  Proof of that is in the recent Bird Talk about the feral bird 
flocks out in California.  You know that only reason that there is a flock of 
parrots, is because either they escaped, or someone let them go!  I think
that it is inhumane and cruel to let these tropical birds go (there are very
few places in this country that most pet birds can survive in the climate,
FL, CA, maybe south TX, or other areas of the Southwest, but not the mojority),
and to even remotely suggest that in an article in a major newspaper is 
negligent on thepart of the doctor, in this case.  There are so many 
people, reguardless of the possible risk will continue to own birds, and 
would be more that happy to provide homes for unwanted pets.  Personally,
I want a bird so bad I can hardly stand it, and there is probably someone 
out there right now, for whatever reason, getting rid of their unwanted pet!
I think that the organizations and private establishments which provide homes
or find homes for unwanted pet birds are fantastic, and should be commended.
Kristin
p.s. thanks for letting me spout off!