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debi
Flutterer
Joined: 30 Mar 2005
Posts: 117
Location: South Jordan, Utah |
| biting nails. |
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 Bella sits on my shoulder and it looks like she is biting her nails. (Talons  ) I think that is what they are called. Should I be concerned about this. She does not make them shorter but she picks at her feet as well. I watch closely to see that there is no damage being done.
I have different sice pirches in her cage. I read that helps for excercise.
Could I get some suggestions on if this is ok and if not what to do about it. She looks cute but I dont want her feet to have problems.
Bellas Mom
Deb  |
Thursday May 26, 2005 4:24 am |
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Fluffy Sue
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 10073
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| Re: biting nails. |
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I don't think you should be concerned about this, however, I can't view what she's doing ofcourse!
It sounds like normal grooming to me.
Just try not to pay attention to it, as it might reinforce this behavior, which might (MIGHT!) result in problem behavior..
(She might discover it's a way to get your attention, thus start to 'bite' her talons more frequently)
However, I don't think it's likely, just warning you.
I know Zazu would take advantage of this..  |
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Thursday May 26, 2005 6:03 am |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7970
Location: Australia |
Hey Deb
I'm not sure if Bella is anything like my Apollo, but he'd sit there and 'crunch' on his nail!! But so far no damage at all the the nail or feet. Sometimes I find that with Apollo, if he's got some wet food that has dried out in the groove on the underside of his nails, he'll sit there for ages cleaning it with his beak. He sort of tries to dig it out, but if he can't, he gets frustrated and yes 'crunch' his nails! So scarry to watch when he first started doing it, but now, I can see that it doesn't really do any damage as long as I don't make a big deal out of it. He sometimes clean his feet as well (as he likes to walk into his warm food bowl from time to time). Like I said i'm not sure if Bella's in the same situation, but keep an eye on it and see if he's only cleaning like Apollo does. Just my thought.
Cheers
Bih |
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Thursday May 26, 2005 10:52 am |
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lyssie722
Bappie
Joined: 28 Apr 2005
Posts: 72
Location: Maryland, USA |
Hi Debi:
Piper chews his nails quite often. Not for long periods of time but off and on throughout the day. I think I read somewhere (maybe in that "Guide to the Senegal Parrot" book) that that behavior is normal for senegals. It seems like preening behavior to me. I guess the key is to watch closely to make sure no damage is being done. You could always ask your avian vet about this too. I know my avian vet is open to me calling to ask a quick question or two, especially when you're a first time bird owner.
Melissa |
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Thursday May 26, 2005 4:59 pm |
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debi
Flutterer
Joined: 30 Mar 2005
Posts: 117
Location: South Jordan, Utah |
| thank you for your advice on Bellas nails |
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I appreciate your info on things to look for. The more I look and think She is probably cleaning. I do have one more question. I have been looking for a book on Senegal Parrots. Something like "Guide to the Senegal Parrot". Where did you get that book? I bought a book but it did not have much on Senegal Parrots.
Thank you
Deb |
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Friday May 27, 2005 5:12 am |
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lyssie722
Bappie
Joined: 28 Apr 2005
Posts: 72
Location: Maryland, USA |
It definitely is great to share information. I got that book from amazon.com and it was pretty inexpensive too. The book has info about all of the poicephalus family, but mostly focuses on the senegal. I've found it really helpful!
Melissa |
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Sunday May 29, 2005 8:32 pm |
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eatbayray
Fledgeling
Joined: 10 Jun 2005
Posts: 220
Location: QLD, Australia |
thats what my LB does i dont think its anything bad |
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Monday July 4, 2005 7:01 am |
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debi
Flutterer
Joined: 30 Mar 2005
Posts: 117
Location: South Jordan, Utah |
| Good advice |
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Melissa
You are full of great advice. I think for the price the Book you recommended "Guide to the Senegal Parrot and its family" is excellent. I would highly recommend it to read if you have a Senegal or any of the other family members. I have really learned so much. Like I read today that Bella can eat just about anything I do. (no avacodo, or chocolate) very if any salt, sugar, and fat. I was just feeding Bella a grapes at night, it is kind of a thing we do every night before she goes to bed. I have fed her vegetables but not as often as it says to. Maybe that is because I think of vegetables and I think salt and butter. We are having squash tonight and I told my husband to not salt them until we get some out for Bella. I guess I have came a long way though because we only took Kloie out to play with him about a half hour or so and the rest of the time we kept her in her cage.  Its a miracle we had her 8 years. We would talk to him though and when we coughed she coughed when we sneezed she sneezed. And she loved to call the dogs. She belonged to my daughter but Sar travels so much we kept her upstairs with us. So when I would yell to Sarah, Kloie would yell for Sarah. Kloie was a Green Cheek Conure.
Bella seems so much friendlier, maybe because we get her out every day and leave her cage open while we are in the room so she can plan if she wants.
Thanks again Sorry I got off of the subject. No body else I know has birds at all.
Deb |
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Tuesday July 5, 2005 3:38 am |
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lyssie722
Bappie
Joined: 28 Apr 2005
Posts: 72
Location: Maryland, USA |
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Hi Deb:
I'm glad I could help. That Senegal book is really good and I'm glad I read it also. I hadn't realized they can eat so much that we do (except the stuff you mentioned, of course). We also just got an Eclectus a couple weeks ago so I've had to learn about them too. They absolutely need a ton of veggies so that has helped me incorporate more of them into Piper's diet. I definitely don't use salt. I've also given both of them some whole wheat pasta (no sauce though, but I think you can) and scrambled egg. They love it! And one of Piper's favorites is grapes also!
I can tell you feel badly about Kloie but don't be hard on yourself. Not all birds are going to live for 20+ years and it sounds like you had 8 very good years with her. You are doing great learning so much at this point and Bella is benefitting!
I don't know anyone with birds either so it is great to be able talk about them. Seems like we can talk forever about them but people who don't have birds might get a bit bored with that!
~Melissa |
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Tuesday July 5, 2005 3:43 pm |
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