One Hungry Feline

Dear 'Keets;
This diet is awful. Every time I visit my food dish, it's empty. I'm starving--and it brings out the wild cat in me! The little chipmunks outside are beginning to look tasty--but they're my friends! I just won't be able to go outside until I'm sure I'm in control. Help!
Furby

Dinosaurs Still Walk the Earth!

Our ad hoc journal club convened this morning, after hearing that researchers have shown that collagen genes salvaged from the thighbone of a T. rex skeleton are closely related to the collagen genes of modern birds (sp. chickens!). Thus, bird are the extant representatives of the dinosaur species! This, of course, has always been well known to us. The comet didn't get everybody! (Click on the title to link to the abstract.)

The mature female staged this "picture" of a plastic T. rex on the cage top. We perched on the kitchen window, and wouldn't go near it for at least 30 minutes. She removed it when she realized window cleaning was going to be necessary...

Geoffrey


Reference:
(Organ, et al, Molecular Phylogenetics of Mastodon and Tyrannosaurus rex. Science, 25 April 2008:
Vol. 320. no. 5875, p. 499
DOI: 10.1126/science.1154284)

Eco-Nomics

Jary examining his "Carbon Footprint"

Earth Day is just past us, and we've been hearing a lot about green products and behaviors on the radio. Every advertiser in the newspaper on the cage bottom claims that his product is "eco-friendly". Just because a product wants to be "eco-friendly", doesn't mean the ecosystem feels the same way. The best way to be ecologically conscious is to buy fewer things--not more! Humans should pay attention to parakeets, if they want to be "green". (And, no, we aren't referring to Jary's feathers.)

We have developed our own set of recommendations for decreasing your carbon footprint:

1. Fly, don't drive. (But only if you have wings...)
2. Eat what you're given, especially lettuce. More will make you slow and dull.
3. Put the waste seed shells in the compost bin.
4. Recycle your newspaper frequently. Clean the cage!
5. You don't need a bigger cage, if you keep the cage top open.
6. You don't need new toys. Put some away for awhile, and when you take them out again, they'll feel just like new.
7. Other 'keets are more fun than toys, anyway.

The "Green" Birds
G, J, and JJ

Do You Have Indigestion?

Jary:
That was a lugubrious poem. Did something you ate disagree with you? Or was it the foot bite you got from Jay-Jay? Better keep to light verse. We've had complaints from the readership.
Geoffrey

Which?

On breezy days in April,
I’m restless in my cage.
I long to fly among the trees;
Feel sunshine on my wings.

On gloomy days in April,
My refuge is my cage.
The cold rain falls against the trees;
Hawks balance on their wings.

On every day in April,
I love—no, hate—my cage!
Escape to live free in the trees?
Or let them clip my wings?

Jary

You do look a little hippy.....

Dear Furby:
Geoffrey and Jary won't answer the question about your weight. They claim that no matter what they say you will be hurt. I know we are friends, and you want a honest response. I must say that you do look a little heavier than you did six months ago. You need to cut out the desserts. Your fur, however, looks magnificent, especially your tail.
Jay-Jay

Do I look fat?

Dear 'Keets,
I went to the doctor's last week for my annual check-up and he says I am 2 lbs overweight. Now they have put me on a diet!
Do I look fat? I think it is all the fur. My winter coat must weigh at least 2 lbs. What do you think?
Furby

Movie Stars!

Jary and I were invited by the younger female to be in a movie a few days ago. As can be seen, we are both extremely photogenic, youthful, and handsome. Every 'keet hen's dream! We are willing to entertain offers for cinematic appearances. We would be especially interested if a discerning pet supply company should be in need of spokesbirds to endorse millet seed blends, treat-sticks, or bird toys, but only in the most dignified way! Contracts, of course, would have to be carefully reviewed by our attorney.
Geoffrey

Bird Lettuce

The old lady has come through with the ultimate springtime treat--sweet baby lettuce! This stuff is awesome! It's in a pot next to the window. Yesterday, I preened a hangnail off her finger to show my thanks! I think I'm going to help myself at the pot--that way I won't have to share with Sep.
Jary