HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: dmiller@alsvid.une.edu.au (David Miller)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds,alt.folklore.science
Subject: Bird with oral fixation
Summary: Who's the silly budgie?
Date: 26 Aug 92 09:58:29 GMT
Reply-To: dmiller@elli.une.edu.au
Organization: University of New England - Northern Rivers (Lismore)

I have a pet budgie (parakeet) that's been exhibiting some rather
intriguing behavior for some time now.  The bird grinds it's beak
against a mineral block for a few seconds, and then proceeds to spend 
10-20 minutes with it's face up a bell, licking furiously.

It also does the same thing to the mirror quite often.  The other bird
in the cage doesn't seem to do any of this at all.

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.

I'm crossposting to a.f.s. because I wonder if there might be any type
of chemical reaction taking place with the bell that the budgie finds
attractive.  I assume the mineral block is salty, and I assume the
base metal of the bell is steel, as it rusts.  I also assume the coating on
the bell is chrome.  Would salt and chrome be likely to form anything
that a bird would find attractive?

Just curious.  If no-one comes up with a reasonable explanation,
I'll just assume the bird is retarded :).

Best regards

-- 
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
From: pmurphy@nrao.edu (Pat Murphy)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Sun Conure Chick for sale...
Keywords: Conure, Sale, Hand-fed
Date: 27 Aug 92 03:43:07 GMT
Followup-To: pmurphy@nrao.edu
Distribution: rec
Organization: National Radio Astronomy Observatory

I hope it's not inappropriate to post this here, but I figure the
audience will be a little more appropriate than in misc.forsale :-)

    One Sun Conure chick for sale to good home.  Hand-fed baby, 
    8 weeks old, almost weaned (any day now!).  $375.  Will not 
    ship so please note our location (25 minutes north of
    Charlottesville, Virginia; about 2 hours from the DC metro area).

Followup (inquiry, questions, etc) directed to e-mail or phone.  We
can be reached at home (804-985-8880) evenings until 9pm EDT and I can
be reached at work at (804-296-0372).

				- Pat & Kim Murphy.

--
==========================================================================
| Patrick P. Murphy, Ph.D.                Scientific Programming Analyst |
| National Radio Astronomy Observatory    Net:   pmurphy@nrao.edu        |
| 520 Edgemont Road                       or:    uunet!nrao.edu!pmurphy  |
| Charlottesville, VA 22903-2475          Phone: (804) 296-0372          |
|      "I don't believe in the no-win scenario"  --- James T. Kirk       |
==========================================================================
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: dsnhv@dsnsun.ericsson.se (Henk Vriens)
Subject: Re: Finches (spinach)
Keywords: spinach
Reply-To: dsnhv@ericsson.se
Organization: Ericsson Telecom, Stockholm, Sweden
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 1992 08:18:12 GMT

billg@hpspdla.spd.HP.COM (Bill Gingras) writes:

> This might only be a myth, but I've heard that spinach contains a
> chemical that somehow inhibits a bird's ability to use the calcium it
> ingests.  My vet said you can give spinach as a treat, just not every
> day.

Perhaps the calcium inhibiting chemical is just a myth, I've never
heard of it.  Spinach does contain high levels of nitrogen. If ANY
creature (including humans) eats large amounts of spinach, and even
one leaf every two days is a large amount for a bird, they're gonna
have a higher risk of getting rheumatism.
I don't know about finches, but (too) high levels of nitrogen in
psittacine food can be seen as large white spots on their droppings.
Don't be alarmed by small white spots, there's always some nitrogen
in their diet (and there should be).

Be careful in feeding much vegetables to birds. If they like 'em,
which they often do, they will eat them first and leave their seeds.
In this way you 'force' them to consume more water than they should.
This is one of the main causes for diarrhoea with birds, esp. parrots
and other birds that don't drink much.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: excited@med.unc.edu (Wally German)
Subject: Re: 'Tiel likes catfood?
Organization: UNC Office of Information Technology
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 09:08:59 GMT

STOP!! Don't do it!!

Birds are very susceptible to E.coli and other gram negative bacteria.  They
can become sick from ingesting or come into contact with this bacteria.  
Even kissing your pet bird and having them come into contact with your
saliva may result in them becoming sick.

This very bacteria is often present in monkey, chicken, dog or cat foods. 
Why?  Because it is harmless to other animals.  Not so for birds. 

             1992, Avian Sciences, University of California-Davis
From: derich@netcom.com (Scott A. Steinbrink)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Recommencation: Balsa Wood for Parakeets (budgies)
Date: 28 Aug 92 13:13:10 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest)

i Uh, THAT's recommendation!

  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.

  I have checked with my vet beforehand, and she thought it was a wonderful
  idea -- balsa wood -- they keep the birds busy, and at the same time they
  can have fun... 

- Scott

-- 

Scott Allen Steinbrink
 
NetCom: Derich@netcom.com
CompuServe: 76106.2055@CompuServe.Com (Going out of accountness soon!)
America Online: Derichman

All opinions and remarks are not my responsbility - it's my own
mind's full responsbility. I just speak what it commands me to say. 

"Deaf people can do anything except hear" - I. King Jordan
From: Lisa.Gorove@bird.com (Lisa Gorove)
Sender: FredMail@bird.com
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Re: CASEY
Date: 02 Sep 92  08:32:06 EST

I would love to take Zeke out.  I think it would be really good for him.  While
his feathers are trimmed, I still am convinced that he will "glide away"!!!!!! 
I have told this group of friends about the BIN and they are working on getting
modems.  
 * Origin: Bird Info Network Gateway 303-423-9775 (1:104/234)
From: Carolann.Payne@bird.com (Carolann Payne)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Re: BYE....
Date: 3 Sep 92 17:21:58 GMT
Article-I.D.: bird.715539820.3


 > Hi Carolann... I am writing messages to everyone to tell them that I 
 > will be off line for about amonth or so.  My phoneline is being 

   You WILL be missed!   HURRY BACK!
 * Origin: Bird Info Network Gateway 303-423-9775 (1:104/234)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: dunne@rtsg.mot.com (Jim Dunne)
Subject: Re: Stuff for toys - cork/balsa
Organization: Motorola Inc., Cellular Infrastructure Group
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1992 17:51:51 GMT

In article <1992Aug31.121739.6365@iscsvax.uni.edu> minehart@iscsvax.uni.edu writes:
>I have a question about the ideas for balsa wood & cork for birds.  Wouldn't
>these be sort of like soft plastic toys in that the birds might swallow bits of
>them and get clogged up?  I'd like to see some other opinions on this.  
>
>Jill

   I posted a while back about my Amazon wheezing on a pine wood chip he
   chewed from the perch I built.  I modified the perch ends, and used
   hardwood. Just an opinion, but it scared me enough to not want him
   chewing on wood anymore.

   Jed 
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: GA.MAY@forsythe.stanford.edu (mitchell)
Subject: Budgie begging
Organization: Stanford University, California, USA
Date: Mon, 24 Aug 1992 01:07:38 GMT

I've got a group cage of budgies - ranging from 3 to 6
depending on who's visiting whom.  Anyway, one
of the regulars, a 2 year old male, learned a new
trick from one of the clutches he helped bring about.
Although mom and the (former) babies have moved out,
he still chirps that obnoxiously loud chirp that
babies use to get their parents to feed them.  The
result:  his buddy, an adult male, feeds him.

Is he being clever or should I try to break him of
this habit?  Seems to me he's being clever and lazy.
His buddy doesn't look malnourished.

Thanks,
Mitchell

ps:  please respond to ga.may@forsythe.stanford.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: roberts@studguppy.lanl.gov (Doug Roberts)
Subject: Re: Clipping Toenails
Organization: Technology Modeling and Analysis, LANL-A7
	<1992Aug25.021848.5688@lobster.hou.tx.us>
	<16850798A.PA109188@utkvm1.utk.edu>
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 16:29:57 GMT

> In article <1992Aug25.021848.5688@lobster.hou.tx.us>
> judy@lobster.hou.tx.us (Judy Scheltema) writes:
> 
> >I tried the concrete perches too, but for a different reason (My two
> >cockatoos decided to shred their perches about every 5 days. My
> >Moluccan ended up with a raw sore on the bottom of her foot and my
> >Citron's feet were showing some redness too. I asked a couple of
> >breeder friends about these concrete perches and they both said they
> >would not let then stay in the cage for more than 1 week per month.
> >
> I've left the perches in their cages...  however, those aren't the only
> perches in the cages.  I think that makes a difference as the birds have
> lots of other areas to play, sit, climb, etc.
> 
> I've not had the problem with the birds having sores on their feet.  That
> is one of the cautions mentioned by the folks we bought the perches from...
> to keep an eye on their feet.

BirdTalk had an article a while back about those perches that are
supposed to automatically trim the toenails. They warned that may of
these perches (I can't remember if the concrete ones were included
here) irritate the birds' feet. Particularly bad were the sandpaper
sleeves that are design to slip over the perch. The abrasivness is
_very_ irritating to the feet.

--Doug
--

==================================================================
Douglas Roberts                |
Los Alamos National Laboratory | All good work is done in defiance
dzzr@lanl.gov                  |  of management. -- Bob Woodward
(505)667-4569                  |
==================================================================
From: melton@skat.usc.edu (Mike Melton)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Re: Perching Chicken 8-) !
Date: 3 Sep 1992 11:22:34 -0700
Organization: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
NNTP-Posting-Host: skat.usc.edu


Don't let the chicken master you! Repeat: you are the master, she is
the chicken! My macaw does not like to leave my person once he is 
perched. I have adopted the "sweep" in cases when he defies me.

When the bird is on my shoulder and refuses to step onto my hand,
I sweep my hand from my neck to the tip of my shoulder swiftly,
but not so fast as to strike him. This gives the bird two alternatives:
jump on the hand or jump off the shoulder. Nine out of ten times the
hand is more appealing.

Please note that I've never tried this with a chicken.

Mike


Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: oday@lobster.gsfc.nasa.gov  (Orin Day)
Subject: Re: Importing Parrots
Reply-To: oday@lobster.gsfc.nasa.gov  (Orin Day)
Organization: Goddard Space Flight Center
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 15:10:16 GMT

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?

Orin

--
*** "If they're moderates, then I'm a champion speller!" - JDQ ***
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!!!" ******
From: billg@hpspdla.spd.HP.COM (Bill Gingras)
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 15:39:50 GMT
Subject: Re: handling finches
Organization: HP Stanford Park - Palo Alto, CA
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds


If you need to handle them, put them in a very dark room (as in no
light).  Put your hand in the cage, check their position with a
flashlight, turn the flashlight off, then quickly grab them in the dark.
Keep in mind that the room has to be very dark.

I used to keep mine supplied with a lava rock.  They'd chew on this rock
and it would keep their beaks nice and trim.

My female Zebra was a chronic egg layer.  Her "mate" wasn't even a
Zebra.  That didn't stop her, nor did the fact that I didn't supply her
with a nest box.  She'd either lay the eggs in the seed cup or let it
fall to the bottom of the cage.

I'd give them greens, fruit, etc in addition to seed.  They'll eat fruit
like apples, etc much easier if you slice them thin (like paper) and
clip it to the side of the cage.  At any rate, if you want to give them
anything other than seed, start soon.  It's really hard to get them to
accept anything else once they're in a rut.

Enjoy your new finches.  I'm sure you'll find them to be really cool!

- Bill G
From: roberts@studguppy.lanl.gov (Doug Roberts)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Re: Help needed--crying amazon
Date: 3 Sep 92 16:44:08 GMT
	<1992Sep2.201618.3385@Cadence.COM>
	<ROBERTS.92Sep3093109@studguppy.lanl.gov>
Organization: Technology Modeling and Analysis, LANL-A7


In article <ROBERTS.92Sep3093109@studguppy.lanl.gov> roberts@studguppy.lanl.gov (Doug Roberts) writes:

P.S., Janice:

You didn't say why you now have the bird again after 4 years, but the
fact he has been recently uprooted is most likely a factor in his
behavior. Amazons are very long-lived. In the wild they can live to be
40 years old or so, and in captivity (when given a proper diet and
care) they've been know to live to be over 100 years old. They form
life-long bonds to their mates, and miss them badly if a mate is lost.
In captivity, they substitute human companionship for a mate that they
can no longer have. Maybe the green-cheek is missing whomever he spent
the last 4 years with?

--Doug
--

==================================================================
Douglas Roberts                |
Los Alamos National Laboratory | All good work is done in defiance
dzzr@lanl.gov                  |  of management. -- Bob Woodward
(505)667-4569                  |
==================================================================
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: chris@unislc.uucp (Chris DelPrete)
Subject: Re: Finches (once again)
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL5
Organization: Unisys Corporation SLC
Distribution: world,local
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1992 17:00:17 GMT

Douglas R. Parker (dparker@ece.arizona.edu) wrote:
: 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
: to handle them when necessary without them going absolutly
: crazy. Is this possible?

My aunt who spend much time with canaries has good luck with this.  Her canary
guys, once they are caught, lay fairly calmly in her hand while she pokes and
prods and clips.  It is possible.  She even has one that will sit, unrestrained
in her hand and let her pet him.  :^o

: Finally, as far as feed is concerned, we have discovered that
: the two have a furious passion for spinach and sprouts.
: How often should we allow them this treat? Is it better to
: chop the greens, or maybe hang a leaf to slow them down?

I can't see any reason not to give them this treat every day.  Maybe alternate
the spinach and sprouts.  I find they like brocolli a lot too.  Leave it whole,
it gives them something to play with.  Also, try scrambled egg.  But don't
leave it in the cage to long (bacteria and all that).  If you are concerned
about frequency of greens, ask your vet about signs of Vitamin A overload.
That would be my only concern.

Good luck.

-- 
                          _   /|
Chris DelPrete Delaney    \'o.O'
chris@unislc              =(___)=
                             U
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: ooblick@intercon.com (Mikki Barry)
Subject: Re: 'Tiel likes catfood?
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 92 17:09:55 GMT
Reply-To: ooblick@intercon.com (Mikki Barry)
Organization: InterCon Systems Corporation, Herndon, VA

In article <ROBERTS.92Aug27092529@studguppy.lanl.gov>, 
roberts@studguppy.lanl.gov (Doug Roberts) writes:
> I don't doubt your reference, but I'd like to point out that the
> opinion expressed above regarding cat & dog food (at least) isn't
> universal among avian vets. Mine, Dr. Kathleen Ramsey, recommends cat
> & dog food as a sometimes-supplement. She also feeds moistened dog
> food to wild bird chicks that she is rehabilitating. I even helped her
> feed a baby raven (not much help was needed: the little twerp saw me
> coming and opened his huge, gaping mouth. I just dropped the moistened
> Purina nuggets into the cavern ;-}).

Ravens and other wild birds that are primarily ground feeders have no problem 
processing the types of bacteria inherrent in mammal food.  Psittacines do 
not have the same kind of resistance.  

You will find that very few opinions are universal among avian vets, but you 
will also find that many avian vets are not up on the latest research and 
findings.  For example, high level of protein found in cat and dog food are 
very bad for most types of psittacines with the exception of possibly African 
Greys.  The fat and ash in cat food is also very very bad for them.

I don't understand why anyone would want to take those kinds of chances when 
the pelleted food on the market is, depending on the brand, far superior for 
the digestive and nutritive needs of psittacines.


> 


Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: neves@bass.cs.colorado.edu (NEVES RICHARD K)
Subject: Re: CASEY
Organization: Universtiy of Coloardo, Boulder
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 20:24:00 GMT

In article <715539820.1@bird.com> Carolann.Payne@bird.com (Carolann Payne) writes:
>
> > I would love to take Zeke out.  I think it would be really good for 
> > him.  While his feathers are trimmed, I still am convinced that he 
> > will "glide away"!!!!!!  I have told this group of friends about the 
>
>If there is a breeze, he could!  You do have to be really careful when you take
>them outside. I hang on to Casey (B&G) until I know he's "comfortable" on my
>shoulder, and then I can let his feet go!         The more new blood on here,
>the merrier!
> * Origin: Bird Info Network Gateway 303-423-9775 (1:104/234)

The previous owner of our cockatiel warned us about the gliding away
possibility.  One day the previous owner took the cockatiel outside.  A 
breeze (not a wind) came up and the cocketiel glided 2 blocks.  Her wings
were very clipped.  When she was found, she was all freaked out.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: roberts@studguppy.lanl.gov (Doug Roberts)
Subject: Re: 'Tiel likes catfood?
Organization: Technology Modeling and Analysis, LANL-A7
	<1992Aug27.090859.9299@samba.oit.unc.edu>
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 16:25:29 GMT


In article <1992Aug27.090859.9299@samba.oit.unc.edu> excited@med.unc.edu (Wally German) writes:

> STOP!! Don't do it!!
> 
> Birds are very susceptible to E.coli and other gram negative bacteria.  They
> can become sick from ingesting or come into contact with this bacteria.  
> Even kissing your pet bird and having them come into contact with your
> saliva may result in them becoming sick.
> 
> This very bacteria is often present in monkey, chicken, dog or cat foods. 
> Why?  Because it is harmless to other animals.  Not so for birds. 
> 
> References:  Jeanne Smith, Veterinary Insights, Exotic Bird Report, Spring
>              1992, Avian Sciences, University of California-Davis
> 

I don't doubt your reference, but I'd like to point out that the
opinion expressed above regarding cat & dog food (at least) isn't
universal among avian vets. Mine, Dr. Kathleen Ramsey, recommends cat
& dog food as a sometimes-supplement. She also feeds moistened dog
food to wild bird chicks that she is rehabilitating. I even helped her
feed a baby raven (not much help was needed: the little twerp saw me
coming and opened his huge, gaping mouth. I just dropped the moistened
Purina nuggets into the cavern ;-}).

--Doug
--

==================================================================
Douglas Roberts                |
Los Alamos National Laboratory | All good work is done in defiance
dzzr@lanl.gov                  |  of management. -- Bob Woodward
(505)667-4569                  |
==================================================================
From: chuq@gallant.apple.com (Chuq Von Rospach)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Re: Avian Vet in San Jose
Date: 3 Sep 92 16:17:41 GMT
Organization: I is a writur

bdickens@mammoth.es.com (Brian Dickens) writes:

>Is there anyone out there in the San Jose area that can 
>recommend an excellent avian vet?

my vet is:

Fern Van Sant
For the Birds
17480 Shelburn Way
Los Gatos
408-354-1739

I can't recommend her highly enough. It's a three office practice (also in
Santa Cruz and Menlo Park) that specializes only in avians. She's done an
amazing job on my flock, and the breeders I know swear by her.

-- 
Chuq "IMHO" Von Rospach, ESD Support & Training (DAL/AUX) =+= Member, SFWA
  chuq@apple.com | GEnie: MAC.BIGOT | ALink:CHUQ =+= Editor, OtherRealms

    I believe there should be a constitutional amendment outlawing the
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: wiegand@rtsg.mot.com (Robert Wiegand)
Subject: Re: Milk on bird's diet ...
Reply-To: motcid!wiegand@uunet.uu.net
Organization: Motorola Inc., Cellular Infrastructure Group
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1992 14:58:56 GMT

zoetrope@cup.portal.com (Devan DzM MacFarlane) writes:

>Giving birds milk isn't a good idea. They don't have the correct enzymes to 
>digest it. I would go real easy on any dairy product. I've also heard 
>that yellow cheese is definatly not good for birds but white cheese is ok in
>moderation, I'm not sure why.

>Jen (Using Dev's Account)

There isn't any difference between white and yellow cheese. Yellow cheese
is yellow because they add yellow coloring to it. Otherwise its made
the same as white cheese.


-- 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert Wiegand - Motorola Inc.
uunet!motcid!wiegand
Disclamer: I didn't do it - I was somewhere else at the time.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: brekshyn@shearson.com (Bohdan Rekshynskyj)
Subject: Re: Milk on bird's diet ...
Reply-To: brekshyn@shearson.com
Organization: Lehman Brothers, Inc.
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 21:24:30 GMT

My red-vent cockatoo loves cheese.  Of course I give it to him in moderation.
Maybe I should give him red-wine to cut down on his cholesterol?  (JUST JOKING!)
Anyway, he eats cheese made of sheep's milk, goat's milk, and cow's milk.  My
vet (who loves birds) says that people food is ok - as long as you follow the
same health guidelines for healthy eating.  He loves pasta with tomato sauce
topped of with Parmigiano Reggiano.  He'll demand a Frascati wine (er, just joking
again!) to go with it.

					Bohdan



=====================================================================
 
Bohdan Peter Rekshynskyj
 
Consultant                     
 
Compuserve:  72576,1754


                              
All promulgations are my own.  No corporate entity has authorization
to represent me.
 
Imprimatur.						Nihil obstat.
 
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