h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Another bird lover!! I have two cockatiels: Boo-Boo (24 years old and thinks he's a spring chicken) and Boomer (10 years old, talks a blue streak and can imitate just about any sound he hears). They definitely call the shots around here.

I love the outdoor critters as well, and am depressed over what West Nile virus is doing to them. The numbers are noticeably down, especially crows and blue jays.

quizzical

Good Morning Quizzical!

Thanks for your post. WOW! 24 yr old & 10 yr old cockatiels! They must be fabulous, you are definitely doing something right!!

I worry about the West Nile Virus too. I want to take my birds outside in their cages, but I fear they might be bit. I was wondering if mosquito netting, like they have for baby carriages, might be OK. Have you heard anything about that? What do you think?

Barb

P.S. Give Boo Boo and Boomer lots of birdie hugs for me!

Hi Barb!

I hadn't heard anything about mosquito netting on bird cages but I think that's a good idea. I haven't heard of any pet birds getting the disease, either, although now I'm curious. I'll post some queries on some of the bird web sites and see if anything turns up. I keep my guys indoors, though, just to be safe.

There was a news story on All Things Considered last week about West Nile virus. Some researchers suspect that birds may be passing it directly to each other without being bitten by an infected mosquito. They say the disease has spread way too quickly - it has already been found in all but three of the Lower 48 states, and it just rolled through the Midwest last summer. Scary stuff.

Of course, I don't worry about myself, only my two little guys.

quizzical

Quizzical:

...Hey, that IS scary....but if birds can pass it on to other birds just by contact....can they pass it on to humans? A sick bird infecting a human...yikes...that would be awful....I hope that's not the case....
Geez, I'm startin' to feel a little paranoid.......hmmm...maybe I'll keep my guys in this summer ....don't want to take a chance....

What is your secret to having your birds live so long? I'm sure they get much affection and a good diet...anything special you can pass along?

Barb

As far as we know so far, sick animals can't infect humans, the important words here being 'as far as we know'. The story keeps changing as we learn more. Aside from taking the usual precautions, I don't worry too much about it, though. I read last year that only about 10% of people who are bitten by an infected mosquito actually get sick, and only 10% of that group get seriously ill. (But if I spot a mosquito indoors, I bash it to pieces...)

I did find an article about the virus and pet birds. The author recommends using mosquito netting. Here's the url: http://www.exoticpetvet.net/avian/westnile.html

I'm not sure why my older bird has lived so long; he's just too ornery to die, I guess. My birds eat pellets, fresh vegies, and pasta in addition to seeds; they love Multi-Bran Chex. I also take them to an avian vet. It's an hour-long drive from my home, but worth the time and effort; regular vets just don't know enough about birds. The younger bird has allergies, so I have to give him a monthly injection to keep him from chewing himself bloody. He's high-maintenance, but he's so adorable, he's worth it. Oh, and they listen to classical music; Boo-Boo likes opera, especially the screechy sopranos.

Not all of my birds have lived so long. I've taken in a number of birds whose owners didn't want them any more, and they've tended to have health problems. One of my cockatiels died of liver cancer when she was 7 - broke my heart, she was such a lovable bird. Another had more problems than you could shake a stick at, but he lived to the age of 15 in spite of them. Thanks to the vet's instructions and many years of living with birds, I've gotten good at spotting problems fast. I guess that's my special tip: a good doctor, and knowing the birds well enough to know when something's just not right.

So what sort of music do your birds listen to, or do they just make their own?

quizzical

Hi

Thanks for the info. I will check out that sight. I'm relived to know the birds will be alright. Mosquito netting it is!

I have two sun conures, Kiki & Kiwi. Kiki was about 1 1/2 years old when I got her. She's a noisy one, but she is too cute! Kiwi is my snuggle bird. He's about 8 months old. He loves to snuggle under my shirt before I put him in the cage for the night. I have one gold-capped conure, Jake. He's the baby, about 6 months old, but he's the biggest one. I nick-named him "Nubbins", because he lost a toe-nail.
I also have two lovebirds. Peanut is a peach-faced, and Beany is a "Fischer lovebird". Very adorable, just got them about three weeks ago. And I have two parakeets, "Chippybird" (blue) and "Prettybird"(yellow & green). Whew! that's a list!

I once had a parakeet named "Chippy" that I found outside, literally starving, trying to eat the rubber on the mirror of a car. I scooped him up and took him home. I also take all my birds to the vet. I found a good one that knows about birds. He also has a parrot. (Remind me to tell you the story about his bird).
I had Chippy (my little baby) for three years, he was probably just under two years when I found him. Sadly, he developed a kidney tumor at age five. It broke my heart. I lost him in September 2001. He was an amazing parakeet. He was so smart... played with toys (beany babies his favorite...I think he liked them toooooo much....he would try to mate with them....that was a sight!....Music...yes he loved music...I would play new-age-classical...and he would chirp chirp chirp....I can still hear him.....

I also had a sun conure named "Rocky", (my little chicken) the love of my life. I got him when he was four months old. A gorgeous bird, sweet, would say his name and "kiss" and "wait! wait!". He was the most lovable bird ever. Loved and gave kisses to everyone! I lost him when he was only two and a half....A very sad story, one to pass along as a warning.....

...I took him to the vet for a nail clipping...that went OK. I wanted to make sure he was OK because his poop had been watery.
I asked the vet to do a blood test,as I was concerned about his liver. The vet had a new method that was supposed to be better than getting it from the wing, by taking it from the neck with a needle ...I think my little chicken went into shock, or something....he never recovered...had a seizure and died right there in the office in front of me...I was traumatized....I had to be sedated...I just could not go on without my beloved baby....I miss him so much it still hurts....just lost him this April....I still feel like it was MY fault....if only.....

I want to tell people to be very careful about blood tests. Have you ever heard of anything like this happening?

....It was after that unfortunate tragedy that I got my other birds. I feed them seeds, pellets, and table food also. They like pasta,(that was Rocky's favorite), but NOT spinach. They love eggs, toast, green beans, peas(sometimes), sweet potatoes are special, carrots,and fruit (bananas...chippy used to love bananas with Cheerios, we would have breakfast together. Jake likes blueberries, Rocky loved nectarines, as does Kiwi. Kiki is the only one who does not take ANYTHING except seeds and pellets.

I LOVE my birds very much and want to give them the best. They are definetly happy guys....I do let the lovebirds & parakeets out for flying-playing-free time each day. We still have yet to bond.

My parrots had their wings clipped when I got them and have not grown back as yet. They are always out and about....and they love each other as well....they are more attached to us humans...like babies in a way....

Oh gosh, have I rambled on and on and on....I'm sorry...I hope your eyes have not crossed.....Anyway I will check out that sight...thank you so much. I believe I have been a good mom....and I will watch them very carefully.

Keep in touch...let me know how your guys are doing....I will keep you posted on my babies....Thanks...Barb

What a sad story about Rocky - he sounds like he was a wonderful little guy.

I think there is a special place in heaven for pets who bring so much joy to our lives, and the place is full of birds. Which means we have a little bit of heaven right here on earth...

quizzical

Amen!

Barb