HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: bgt@cbnewsh.cb.att.com (barbara.tongue)
Subject: A Tale of Two Beaks
Organization: AT&T
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1992 11:25:35 GMT
Keywords: shower curtain, only one way up or down, chomp!

folks,

over the weekend, i had the distinct pleasure of taking care of my
folks' home and watching over their dog and african grey parrot bartina,
she of the Beak of Death.  as you might remember, the 22 year old bartina
dislikes my yellowCollared macaw angus with a passion (she tries using
him for karate practice) and pounces after him whenever possible.

yesterrday morning, i decided to take a hot bath and relax from my
allergies.  bartina was happily ensconced in devouring the rug in the
living room, so i assumed no odd encounters of the weird kind would
occur.  (fatal mistake #1).  i placed angus on the floor and gave
him a paper roll to chew on, drew my bath, sat down happily and
began to read.

after 40 seconds, i noticed the shower curtain starting to quiver, and
watched as angus climbed up to the rim of the bathtub and wandered around.
figuring that the water temperature was near volcanic, i shooed him 
further up the curtain 'til he was five feet above the floor, twirling
clockwise.  and it was back to my book i returned.

one minute later, i heard angus start shrieking his battle cry (hello!
hellO!  HELLO!) and then noticed the bottom of the showerCurtain
swingning from side to side...moments later the Queen Beak yelled
"bart!  barT!  BART!!!!!" as she climbed closer to her prey.  angus,
the beloved idiot that he is, joyfully prepared to become pulverised
birdie yet again, and quickly descended, ready to teach this oldster
a lesson (think of mikey mouse trying to educate al capone, and you
get a good picture of the scenario.)  deciding that a nice hot bath
was rather unhealthy at the time, i jumped up and yanked angus off
the curtain, while bartina lunged with her beak, irritated that
i had interferred yet again.

moral of the story?  darned if i know...

-- 
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%   The Speaking Tongue, AT&T   %%  C Code.  C Code Run.  Run, Code, RUN! %%
%%       bgt@homxc.att.com       %%           PLEASE!!!!                   %%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Organization: University of Illinois at Chicago
Date: Friday, 2 Oct 1992 16:39:12 CDT
From: <U59849@uicvm.uic.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Cockatoo losing feathers

My male cockatoo is losing his feathers around his neck and lower jaw.  The
female is perfectly fine.  They both seem healthy and playful like usual.
And continue to sing when ever their cage is uncovered.  What can be causing
him to lose his feathers and can I do something before their all gone.

Desparate!

THANKS
From: minehart@iscsvax.uni.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Full Spectrum Lights
Date: 6 Oct 92 17:26:56 -0500
Organization: University of Northern Iowa

I want to thank all those who've furnished the information about full-spectrum
lighting.  

I have tried for 2-3 years now to find out about this because I suffer from SAD
(Seasonal Affective Disorder) and it's getting worse every year.  I have asked
two MD's and a psychiatrist and I've looked for information in both the city
and the university library and have only been able to gather the sketchiest of
information.

I was most interested when I read awhile back in BIRD TALK about how birds need
full spectrum lighting, too, but again, it was frustrating because this mention
didn't go into any specifics.

So, needless to say, it's been thrilling to hear all this information.  My
husband had built Oscar and me a light box and we'd put ordinary "grow" lights
in it a couple of weeks ago, but after reading all this, I went out and bought
Vita-Lights (I paid $12.50 each at the lighting store in our area that carries
them).  Oscar has been under them for two days now -- he's such a grouch 8-}
that I'll be eager to see if it improves his spirits.  I have tried them yet. 
I'll also be eager to see if it improves MY spririts!!

Anyway, I think it's just fascinating that I've gotten all this information
(not only about what kind of lights, etc., but about the reasons why its so
good for birds and us) from this newsgroup and it sounds to me as if the vets
know a heck of a lot more about this than the medical community!!  Typical??   
I mean aren't the "experts" always the last to know?  

Which reminds me of the time on the radio a number of years ago when they had a
guest on a talk show who'd written a book called, "What the Experts (or maybe
it was Scientists) Know That Everyone Else Ought to Know."  A man called in to
suggest that next, someone should write a book entitled, "What Everyone Else
Knows that the Experts Ought to Know."  I loved it.  

Thanks again to everyone who contributes to this newsgroup.  It's about the
only one I read anymore, but I never go a day without it.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: roberts@studguppy.lanl.gov (Doug Roberts)
Subject: Full spectrum lighting: an answer
Organization: Technology Modeling and Analysis, LANL-A7
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1992 16:30:33 GMT

I called my local hardware store yesterday, and discovered that they
carry incandescent grow lights. Since grow lights are full-spectum
lights, I went down to the store & bought a 150W spotlight-stype bulb
that fits nicely in the fixture in the bird room. It points straight
up, so that it reflects and diffuses off the white ceiling.

The result: the room is much brighter and cheery, and the birds seem
to love it! We'll see if it makes any difference in their
health/energy levels (although I'm not sure how much more energy I can
stand out of my seven little demons...).

--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: mep@cbnewsd.cb.att.com (mary.p.bamford)
Subject: Non-stick cookware dangers
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1992 17:43:35 GMT
Keywords: cookware, scanpan, birds, teflon


Most of us are aware of the dangers to birds posed by teflon coated
skillets, drip pans, iron, etc.  Does anyone know if the
Scanpan cookware poses a threat to birds?  Scanpan is a
(fairly new) cookware that claims to be non-stick, but is
not coated with teflon (or teflon-based) chemicals.  The
coating is supposed to a ceramic (called greblon, I think).

All I know about Scanpan is what I've read in their ads; I haven't
contacted the company directly.

Does anyone know more about it as regards our feathered friends?



Mary Bamford
att!ihlpf!mep
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: roberts@studguppy.lanl.gov (Doug Roberts)
Subject: Re: full spectrum lighting
Organization: Technology Modeling and Analysis, LANL-A7
	<ROBERTS.92Sep28110139@studguppy.lanl.gov> <BvCE0E.HG1@ecf.toronto.edu>
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1992 20:23:55 GMT


In article <BvCE0E.HG1@ecf.toronto.edu> grecoj@ecf.toronto.edu (GRECO Gianfranco) writes:

> I also heard about this full spectrum lighting.  These are the flourescent 
> bulbs are they not??  Is there a certain place where they are sold or are 
> they generally available.  ( given that we don't have any flourescent bulbs 
> in the house I'm not that familiar with them )  
>  
> Also, are they available in incandescent??
> -- 

I spoke with Feathered Friends in Santa Fe, NM yesterday, and was told
that they installed fluorescent full spectrum lights. We also have no
fluorescesnt lighting fixtures in our house, but the person at
Feathered Friends told me that grow lights are also full-spectrum
lights. You can mail-order these from garden supply catalogs. I
imagine they can also be found in the garden supply section of
department stores. I intend to look this weekend.

--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: Mary.Kaye.Buchtel@bird.com (Mary Kaye Buchtel)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Re: LOOSE DROPPINGS
Date: 5 Oct 92 15:58:40 GMT


 > I think green droppings in cockatiels is normal.  Can anyone else
 > confirm this?

Green droppings are normal in a bird who is eating mainly seeds. There is,
however, a "funny" green associated with starvation. This occurs as muscle mass
is being digested by the bird in absence of incoming calories. It's difficult
to describe it, but if one is used to good droppings and this type of dropping
appears, they would KNOW it isn't a normal dropping, even if they don't realize
what is wrong with it. 

Cockatiels (or other parrots) who are being fed pelleted diets often have brown
droppings. And, of course, certain fresh foods, such as beets or berries, can
result in heart-stopping red or purple droppings! 
 * Origin: Bird Info Network Gateway 303-423-9775 (1:104/234)
From: srh3@Ra.MsState.Edu (Steven R. Hollis)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Re: LOOSE DROPPINGS
Keywords: LOOSE DROPPINGS
Date: 28 Sep 92 21:10:00 GMT
Organization: Mississippi State University


     I have no experience with 'tiels, but with raptors.  When the 
slices (droppings) are watery with greenish tinges, that usually means
the the bird is using his body fat.  The green stuff is bile produced by
the liver to break down the body fat.  Find out why he isn't eating.
The odd droppings are a symptom of some other ailment if he is not
eating.

Keep me posted
Steve

--
===============================================================================
Steve Hollis--Your friendly neighborhood zoology major
srh3@ra.msstate.edu
===============================================================================
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: Moritz@cvmmdl2.msstate.edu (K.Moritz)
Subject: Re: SHAMAN'S LATEST
Organization: Mississippi State University
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 04:15:24 GMT

In article <718304615.3@bird.com>,... writes:
> However, I do not believe caffiene is toxic as in poisonous. 

I would like to make a point, because of the effect of caffiene on the 
heartrate, MAKES it a poison and toxic.  Because it can and does raise the
heartrate to the point of possible death, makes it a toxicant.
The same holds true for chocolate.  Yes, the wonder food of MY life is
considered very poisonous.  Yes, I have seen cats and dogs eat quantities
of chocolate with no apparent effect, however I have also heard of dogs
keeling over dead after eating one candy bar.
Our textbook, Clincal & Diagnostic Veterinary Toxicology states that caffiene
from tea, coke, coffee, and chocolate are all related with similiar symptoms.
These can include: restlessness (which we are all familiar with) hyperactivity,
stiffness, spastic contraction of muscles, and convulsive seizures.  These
chemicals have actions on the central nervous system, cardiac muscle stimulation,
smooth muscle relaxation, and diuresis (the common frequent "peeing" some
of us are familiar with after a cup of coffee).
Kristin
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: lind@ll.mit.edu (Tom Lind)
Subject: Re: introducing new bird
Followup-To: rec.pets.birds
Organization: MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 92 14:04:59 GMT

In article <1992Oct5.212657.25082@pasteur.Berkeley.EDU>,
bhtongue@highlander.berkeley.edu (Benson H Tongue) wrote:
> 
> Hi folks. First,  a thank you to all of you that responded 
> directly and indirectly to my query vis a vis Cockatoos and
> Macaws.              (other deleted)

Congratulations Benson, and our thanks also to the responses which helped
us to make a decision.  We will be bringing home a 4 month old blue-fronted
amazon we've named Maggie this coming Saturday.  She will join our 8 year
old cockatiel (Herbie) and our 1 year old Red-shouldered macaw (Mr Chips).
We intend to keep her in another room for 2 weeks until she acclimates to
the environment.  She comes from an excellent all-bird store in our area
and will be vet checked within 72 hours of our obtaining her.  Any comments
you give to Benson will be appreciated here as well.

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.
From: Debby.Steele@bird.com (Debby Steele)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Re: LOVEBIRDS
Date: 27 Sep 92 22:25:17 GMT


 > Where are all the lovebird owners?  I would like to hear 
 > from you about your tiny terrors!

Hi Marilyn, I have 3 lovebirds. 2 peachface and 1 bluemask all handfed. They
are very delightful, special birds. They all are excellent pets and I would
never be without lovebirds. It's to bad more people don't realize what great
pets they do make.

 * Origin: Bird Info Network Gateway 303-423-9775 (1:104/234)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: mawells@gallua.gallaudet.edu
Subject: Fleas - effect birds??
Organization: Gallaudet University
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1992 20:15:37 GMT

This may seem like a strange question for a bird net but I am curious and
concerned.  This year we seem to be have a bigger problem with fleas than
before.  Question:  Do fleas get on, effect, bother birds.  Ours do not 
seem to be effected but as I said I am curious.  If the answer is yes, what
do you do.  Normal flea spray would be dangerous (I would think).

Any info - suggestions.  THANKS
-- 
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Mary Ann Wells, EMT-A
Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C. 

Bladensburg Volunteer Fire Dept/Rescue Squad.	Phone: (301) 864-4415
From: Mary.Kaye.Buchtel@bird.com (Mary Kaye Buchtel)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: SHAMAN'S LATEST
Date: 27 Sep 92 13:57:28 GMT

Our African grey, Shaman, has always enjoyed a taste of coffee with me (decaf).
 So much so that if she saw me with a mug, she'd say "want some coffee?"  Then
my husband got into brewing freshly ground beans as a treat for both of us.
Shaman was always right there for her gulp from Mama's cup and then her gulp
from Daddy's cup.  Well, Bill went out of town for a 3 week business trip and,
in his absence, I reverted to instant coffee. The first cup, Shaman had some
but from then on if I asked her "want some coffee?" and offered her the mug,
she'd just take the rim in her beak and push it away. This went on the whole
time Bill was gone. Yesterday a.m. he made his first fresh pot since his return
and Shaman was SO excited she had "happy feet" (couldn't stand still in one
place) and, you guessed it:  she's back to drinking as much as we'll let her
have (which is only one gulp from each cup). What a SNOB!
 * Origin: Bird Info Network Gateway 303-423-9775 (1:104/234)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: wiegand@rtsg.mot.com (Robert Wiegand)
Subject: Re: the "found" umbrella cockatoo
Reply-To: motcid!wiegand@uunet.uu.net
Organization: Motorola Inc., Cellular Infrastructure Group
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 16:29:26 GMT

ammg2052@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Aaron M. Moy) writes:

>Regarding the pet store owner's story in Brenner's cockatoo post:

>Doesn't it seem a little fishy that the Umbrella would suddenly fly into a
>pickup truck?  Wouldn't anyone who lost such a valuable bird scour the area
>looking for it?

>Just curious...  

Its not impossible. An Umbrella could fly a *long* way given a few
months. Its possible the previous owner had a similar truck.

Still, in a case like this it is probibly a good idea to check with
the police to se if anyone has reported a lost or stolen bird.

-- 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
From: lecampbell@OCTAVO
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Re: LOOSE DROPPINGS
Date: 30 Sep 92 16:05:58 GMT
Reply-To: lecampbell@OCTAVO

There seems to be a lot of variation among my birds.  Indy always
has firm, nice droppings that roll off whatever he's dropped them
on.  Peri never has firm droppings, but is very healthy. Has 
parented several clutches, has had wonderful offspring.

Stress, however, seems to cause looser droppings.  Seems to be
normal to have some green.  Smell is important, though.  I can walk
into a room and tell if there is a sick bird in it, just by
the smell.  And it doesn't have to be strong.

I associate the smell with the same smell that old chicken gives
off.  Not quite spoiled, but no right.  But then I used to have
chickens too.  My orientation may be a little skewed. 

This is probably more than you ever wanted to know.

Laura
lecampbell@octavo.ucdavis.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: chris@unislc.uucp (Chris DelPrete)
Subject: Re: LOOSE DROPPINGS
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL6]
Organization: Unisys Corporation SLC
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1992 16:13:54 GMT

Bill Gingras (billg@hpspdla.spd.HP.COM) wrote:
: 
: I think green droppings in cockatiels is normal.  Can anyone else
: confirm this?

We feed our tiels a highly varied diet with grains and veggies. Their droppings
are frequently green with some white and sometimes some clear.  Our avian vet
says they are very healthy.
-- 

  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
  +  Christine DelPrete-Delaney                             The Rest   o  +
  +  chris@unislc.slc.unisys.com                               ____    0  +
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: chris@unislc.uucp (Chris DelPrete)
Subject: Re: Time between Molting
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL5
Organization: Unisys Corporation SLC
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1992 16:57:56 GMT

Mitch Markowitz (mhm104@access.digex.com) wrote:
: Hello all!
: 
:It seems to me, that my Cockatiels molt almost every two or three 
:weeks.  Is this normal or does it vary between birds? I would appreciate 
:any advice/answers.  Thanks!

Tiels usually molt only once a year.  If they are doing a true molt that often,
they would have no feathers.  I have read that a molt starts at the head and
goes towards the tail.  If you are not seeing several tail feathers *every* two
or three weeks, then the feather loss is probably just a normal, day  to day
shedding.  Tell me more ...  how many feathers do you find each day?  1, 2, 10
or more that 10?  Which feathers are they?  Tail, primaries, contour (body)??

I am curious about this one.


: 
-- 

  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
  +  Christine DelPrete-Delaney                             The Rest   o  +
  +  chris@unislc.slc.unisys.com                               ____    0  +
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
From: dboldt@dsdbqvarsa (David Boldt (x5679))
Subject: Re: Full spectrum lighting: an answer
Organization: United States Geological Survey
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 20:55:21 GMT

There is also a mail-order business that specializes in both incandescent and
fluorescent full-spectrum lights.  They have a large selection of wattages,
styles and prices.

Westgate Enterprises, 2210 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 612, Santa Monica CA 90403-5784
                     (310) 477-5891
-- 
                           -- david boldt   dboldt@qvarsa.er.usgs.gov
                                            US Geological Survey
                                            Reston, VA    (703 648-5679)
From: meredith@pdx805 (Susan Meredith)
Subject: Avain Vets
Organization: Intel Corp., Hillsboro, Oregon
Distribution: or
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1992 16:13:14 GMT

Hi,

My husband and I just moved our flock from Texas up to Hillsboro, OR, and we 
are hoping some of you Oregon bird people could recommend a good avian vet, 
preferrably in the Hillsboro or Beaverton area.  

We are also looking for good places to find large bird toys and a good 
selection of pelleted foods.  Most of the pet stores around here don't seem to
be familiar with pellets.  Also, are there any bird clubs in the area??

thanks for any advice!!

Susan

===============================================================================
                                                          The Rest     o
             /\_/\       meredith@ichips.intel.com             ____    0
            / o o \           (503) 696-8055              |\  /|||o\  O
    /\_/\   \ >"< /                ___                    ||><|||(|_>
   / o o \   =====      ___       (o o)       ___         |/  \||||/
   \ >"< /  /     \    (o o)     (  V  )     (o o)
    =====    Loki     (  V  )   /--m-m-     (  V  )   Intel Corporation
   /     \   ___     /--m-m-      Dudley   /--m-m-    MS JF1-91
    Freya   (o o)     Sherman             /  Mango    5200 NE Elam Young Pkwy
           (  V  )                       /            Hillsboro, OR  97124-6497
          /--m-m-
            Kiwi
===============================================================================
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: re: loose droppings
From: thompson@gumby.mgi.com
Date: 1 Oct 92 09:04:08 CDT
Organization: Management Graphics, Inc.

I don't know about cockateils, but with budgies this can be a sign of very
serious illness.  One loss dropping is nothing to worry about, but when
everyone is loose, this can be a sign of illness.  Sometimes even
dehydration, if the bird is not eating, or seems unusally thristy, I
would get him to the vet right away.

maggie
From: chuq@Apple.COM (Chuq Von Rospach)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds
Subject: Re: Macaw (and Cockatoos)
Date: 1 Oct 92 21:54:17 GMT
Organization: Apple Computer Inc., Cupertino, CA

dougnews@access.digex.com (Doug Humphrey) writes:

>As to distructiveness, birds are agents of entropy.  It is their
>JOB to take complex things and make them simple, to unplug ethernet
>connectors, clip phone lines, and otherwise reduce the universe to
>its more simple parts.  Didn't you read the manual?

Hear! Hear! Huzzah! My cockatoo can hold her own against any macaw on pure
destructiveness. Whether it's turning my mice into hamsters (computer mice),
eating phone cords (about once a month, and we WATCH for this), moulding,
furniture, the house -- There is always this time when we suddenly reailze
there is great quiet out in the other room, and a mad rush to see what needs
to be rescued.

Mostly it's a case of understanding an individual bird's tendencies and
protecting them (and yourself, your house and your belongings, as necessary)
from it. MOST of the time we can leave Morgan playing on her cage, and MOST
of the time she'll come looking for us when she gets bored. Sometimes
something suddenly looks interesting (her current unattainable goal is the
oven, but she's been found playing in the shower, too). Other times, she
simply decides something is hers and that's that. Dirty socks are her
current fave, and she'll wander the house (quietly) in search of one to
dismember. We don't like her playing with the elastic, so we try to get her
to eat old washclothes instead, but elastic is springy and stretchy (elastic
also once snapped and hit her in the beak. Talk about upset).

If you think of a bird as a living, breathing, mobile 3 year old, you'll
understand the mayhem one can cause. A 3 year old with a claw hammer, a
screw driver and a fog horn...

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


Newsgroups: rec.pets.birds