Question: TALKING Myna??
Nelson David Ho
before, and it sounds very clear. It can even male or female voices.
According to him, and others I've talked to, you have to trim the tongue
of this bird. It's born with a pointy tongue and you have to trim the
point round. That sounds like a very mean thing to do.
I've never seen these birds in the U.S. (I live in the D.C. metro area
in Maryland)
Are these birds available in the U.S.?
If so, anyone know if they are "exotic"?...expensive?
Is this tongue trimming thing required for all "talking" birds?
Do they survive well in the mid-Atlantic climate?
I'm thinking about owning one, but would like to know some info on the
above questions.
Thanks
Nelson
Nelson David Ho
owns) is black with a yellow beak.
It's not really big, about the size of my palm.
Just in case if any reader of my previous message isn't sure what bird
I'm talking about.
Nelson
T. Kramer
and unfounded since all vocalizations are generated in the syrinx, an
organ in the bird's throat. This "tongue trimming" was once prevalent
in pet parrots and is now considered an old wives tale.
T. Kramer
Boulder, CO
tkr...@amgen.com
fari...@aol.com
Liz Day
A friend of mine in Taiwan has one of these birds. I've heard it talk
before, and it sounds very clear. It can even male or female voices.
According to him, and others I've talked to, you have to trim the tongue
of this bird. It's born with a pointy tongue and you have to trim the
point round. That sounds like a very mean thing to do.
I've never seen these birds in the U.S. (I live in the D.C. metro area
in Maryland)
Are these birds available in the U.S.?
If so, anyone know if they are "exotic"?...expensive?
Yes, they are, and yes, I assume they are $!
(And yes, they talk really well!)
Is this tongue trimming thing required for all "talking" birds?
Of course not, it's a silly myth. I don't think birds
even use the tongue when they talk - I think the sound is shaped
in the throat. (Bird anatomists?) At any rate, starlings,
in the same family as the mynah, can talk without any tongue
alteration.
Mynahs require knowledgeable care to thrive. If you plan to buy
one, you should read up on them first. Local bird clubs may or
may not know anyone who keeps them. Breeders listed in bird
magazines may have info too.
Enjoy,
L.Day
ld...@indy.net
podh...@ucs.orst.edu
On 25 Sep 1995, Nelson David Ho wrote:
> A friend of mine in Taiwan has one of these birds. I've heard it talk
> before, and it sounds very clear. It can even male or female voices.
I THINK I KNOW YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT MYNAH BIRD. IN THAILAND WE CALL IT
THE KING OF THE BIRD OR NOK-KHUN-TONG. I HAD 2 OF THESE BIRDS WHEN I WAS
GROWING UP. THEY ARE VERY GOOD TALKERS AND CAN MIMIC MANY DIFFERENT
VOICES. HOWEVER, I DON'T THINK THEY UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF THE WORDS.
> According to him, and others I've talked to, you have to trim the tongue
> of this bird. It's born with a pointy tongue and you have to trim the
> point round. That sounds like a very mean thing to do.
I KNOW THAT SOUND SO CRUEL. ANOTHER WAY TO DO IT IS TO SCRATCH THE
BOTTOM OF HIS TONGUE (NOT THE TIP) WITH A PENNY OR SMALL COIN. KEEP
OFFERING THE BIRD WITH CHILLI PEPPERS. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S TRUE, BUT
CHILLI IS SUPPOSED TO MAKE THE BIRDS BETTER TALKERS.
> I've never seen these birds in the U.S. (I live in the D.C. metro area
> in Maryland)
I SAW AN AD IN THE OREGONIAN THE OTHER DAY. A PERSON IN SOUTH OF
WASHINGTON STATE OFFERED TO SELL THE BIRD FOR $800.
> Are these birds available in the U.S.?
> If so, anyone know if they are "exotic"?...expensive?
>
> Is this tongue trimming thing required for all "talking" birds?
>
> Do they survive well in the mid-Atlantic climate?
THEY ARE NATIVE TO TROPICAL COUNTRIES (LIKE THAILAND). YOU WILL HAVE TO
KEEP THEM VERY WARM. ACTUALLY, IT IS ILLEGAL FOR MOST OF THE COUNTRIES
AROUND THERE TO EXPORT THE BIRDS, THEREFORE, THE REAL GOOD TALKERS CAN
COST UP TO $2,000 IN TAIWAN. I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE PEOPLE HERE GET THE
BIRDS FROM.
Heidi Wulfraat
>
>
>On 25 Sep 1995, Nelson David Ho wrote:
>
>>
>> According to him, and others I've talked to, you have to trim the tongue
>> of this bird. It's born with a pointy tongue and you have to trim the
>> point round. That sounds like a very mean thing to do.
>>
No,no,no,no this NOT TRUE
Birds are able to talk by controlling vibrations along their syrinx
(along their neck)
Crows, ravens, starlings, and bluejays are examples of other birds that are
able to talk also: WITH NO TONGUE MUTALATING
Heidi
GaryW34130
malarchy about ANY surgical modification to ANY bird's tongue! What
you'll wind up with is a criminal butchering job and a dead victim of it!
The best talking species of mynah is the Greater Indian Hill Mynah.
Although there are quite a few other mynahs species and close relatives
around... including our #1 introduced avian pest...the European Starling.
In fact, since Indian Hill mynahs are nearly impossible to acquire
currently, perhaps you'd consider expanding your own horizons, free of
financial risks, investing only a very few brief weeks of attention and
hand feeding of a locally produced young starling?! Actually, there is a
small but growing number of people who are involved in the caged-bird
fancy (referring to bird breeders who are mostly also bird-show devotees),
both in Europe and more recently here in North America as well, who have
begun keeping and working with the European starling. Throughout human
history, man has done this very same thing with a number of species,
albeit without initial intent, resulting in our many since-domesticated
animals. The goal for these starling fanciers is different only in the
concious self-awareness of their plan. Their goal is the "betterment" of
the "type". That being "the "standardized ideal individual" of a species
or breed, just as in AKC dogs breeds...body confirmation, size, form,
vigor (-no likely problems with this species' vigor!), body carriage,
quality of feather coat, and generally improving, through selective
breeding of the stock, the future companion bird which it will eventually
become.!
By the way, as with all members of their tribe, they possess great mimicry
skills which in the vernacular, means that they can learn to talk
Oh, and the european starling has absolutely no legal protections (nor
does it deserve any) in the USA. or Canada!
And you'll be helping to reduce the feral population, -don't let the fact
that it'll only be reducing the population by one individual keep you from
doing your part!
Good luck and let me know your thoughts!
--Gary Wallen
Liz Day
sounds. A friend in Bloomington was in a class where everyone
got a starling to raise. Another acquaintance taught his
starling to make part of the outgoing message on his answering
machine.
But what could breeders possibly want for starling 'conformation'??!!
L.Day
LD...@indy.net (don't use the 'r' button)
Jeff Ferris
Many systems, when you hit reply, reply to all the groups
the original poster posted to. So, sometimes posters don't know
the difference, and many of us reply without bothering to see where the
message came from because the information was important, not
where it was posted. If it winds up in the wrong news group,
GET OVER IT. It happens, and it isn't a conspiracy or an evil
plot to fill up other news groups with messages that don't apply.
Besides, Consider the amount of time you took to post this, versus the fact
that it WILL happen again for the same reasons. If you
don't want the message in your newsgroup, just don't read it.
Julia E. Shields
private messages to mistaken posters. However, this thread has been an
education for me and I do not agree that it is out of place here. Some
birds' ability to talk - that is, bird anatomy and intelligence - is
surely a topic of general enough interest that it would be allowed even if
this were a moderated group, and I am fascinated to hear the news about
Starling Fancy, if that is how one says it. While I get as disgusted with
starlings en masse as the next person, they are certainly intelligent,
adaptable, skilled survivors; and their plumage is so incredibly
changeable that they are even beautiful at certain times. I have
grudgingly become an admirer. I can say this since there are currently no
starlings in our neighborhood. :-)
Regards,
--
Julia Shields
School of Medicine
Chapel Hill, NC
Shane D. Townsend
Birds are birds. Most people who love birds love both wild and
domestic ones. I have a problem with lovebirds and their ability to
hatch their eggs. If anyone knows about love birds and their mating
habits please e-mail me at sdto...@ag.auburn.edu. Thanks.
Aaron Birenboim
:
: On 25 Sep 1995, Nelson David Ho wrote:
: I THINK I KNOW YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT MYNAH BIRD...
: > According to him, and others I've talked to, you have to trim the tongue
: > of this bird. It's born with a pointy tongue and you have to trim the
: > point round. That sounds like a very mean thing to do.
: I KNOW THAT SOUND SO CRUEL. ANOTHER WAY TO DO IT IS TO SCRATCH THE
: BOTTOM OF HIS TONGUE (NOT THE TIP) WITH A PENNY OR SMALL COIN. KEEP
: OFFERING THE BIRD WITH CHILLI PEPPERS. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S TRUE, BUT
: CHILLI IS SUPPOSED TO MAKE THE BIRDS BETTER TALKERS.
I hope this is not true.
Chili seems non-cruel. My south american parrot loved chilis.
: > I've never seen these birds in the U.S. (I live in the D.C. metro area
: > in Maryland)
: I SAW AN AD IN THE OREGONIAN THE OTHER DAY. A PERSON IN SOUTH OF
: WASHINGTON STATE OFFERED TO SELL THE BIRD FOR $800.
: > Are these birds available in the U.S.?
I haven't seen them. I mostly hear stories of old timers who had them.
I'm thinking of getting a european starling in the spring. They are
in the same family, and are rumored to be fairly good talkers.
I have never heard of any alterations to the tongue being necessary.
I plan to rob a nest or get an unweaned baby from a wildlife rehabber in the
spring. Starlings are considered to be a pest introduced species in the
US, so they may be taken as pets. I plan to give the baby a full medical
work-up and quarantene. This is NOT a cheap way to go. I expect at least
$250 in vet bills to do this.
: > Is this tongue trimming thing required for all "talking" birds?
no. not parrots, crows, or ravens. (but crows and ravens do not have
very clear voices. many talking parrots have unclear voices too.)
: > Do they survive well in the mid-Atlantic climate?
: THEY ARE NATIVE TO TROPICAL COUNTRIES (LIKE THAILAND). YOU WILL HAVE TO
: KEEP THEM VERY WARM.
The starling will do fine. I saw many in colorado.
: ACTUALLY, IT IS ILLEGAL FOR MOST OF THE COUNTRIES
: AROUND THERE TO EXPORT THE BIRDS,
If this is true, I'd recommend STRONGLY against a mynah... unless
you are sure it is captive bred from legally obtained domestic breeders.
--
Aaron Birenboim | I have an inferiority complex, _____
mo...@netcom.com | but it's not a very good one. / \
http://www.aptec.com/aaron/ | -Unknown / o o \
Albuquerque, NM | ------(_)------
Shane D. Townsend
I have been royally blessed out by one subscriber for writing in
regards to domestic birds on this newsgroup. I apologize to them, you
know who you are, if I was in error. However, this person should learn
some social skills...very unpleasant!!!!!
Anyway please e-mail me at sdto...@ag.auburn.edu and we can talk
love birds, who by the way are not "wild birds" in captivity!!!!
Thank you Royan for your message. I look forward to hearing from you.
On Sat, 14 Oct 1995, Brad-Royan Webb wrote:
> In article <Pine.SUN.3.91.951013134504.10812B-100000@aghill> you wrote:
>
> : domestic ones. I have a problem with lovebirds and their ability to
> : hatch their eggs. If anyone knows about love birds and their mating
> : habits please e-mail me at sdto...@ag.auburn.edu. Thanks.
>
> What sort of problems? and what kind of Lovebirds? I have some PeachFace
> experience if that's the species..
>
> Royan
> ---------------------------------------
> Royan Webb { ._. }
> ba...@globaldialog.com ( . )
> Adventure Central RPGBBS (/ \)
> ---------------------------------------
>
>
SneekyOne
dictating to them what they should be? If there is a far greater demand
for advice and discussion on the subject of pet birds then perhaps this
better defines the needs of the group. I am not suggesting that your
issues should not be included, just that everyone should be welcome to
participate. Also, why did you post a message to alt.pets.birds telling us
that the subject of pet birds is not welcome "here". Also, I really
think pet birds=delete is offensive to others within this cyber
community.Why not better define rec.birds if you seek to exclude pets?
Certainly pet birds reasonably falls within the catagory of birds,
especially when many people's servers do not carry all newsgroups.
Ellen I. Paul
Sigh. You can't please any of the people any of the time...
In article <462h1e$e...@newsbf02.news.aol.com>,
SneekyOne <snee...@aol.com> wrote:
>Why don't you let the group deal with the issues of its members instead of
>dictating to them what they should be?
1. I asked, I didn't dictate. Do you know the difference between a
request and a demand?
2. You may be new to the net and/or to newgroups, but for whatever
reason, you don't seem to know that each newsgroup has a charter. The
charter defines the nature of the newsgroup and the appropriate
disucssion topics. When someone wants to start a new group, that person
writes a charter and posts something called a Request for Discussion.
After a certain period of time, that person posts a call for votes. If
the vote is affirmative, the new group is formed and can be "carried" by
host computers. I didn't make these rules, I don't know who did, but
that's the way it works. Sorry if you don't like it, but that's the way
it is.
If there is a far greater demand
>for advice and discussion on the subject of pet birds then perhaps this
>better defines the needs of the group/
3./ Again, this suggests that you are new to the internet and new to
this group. It appears that people are posting pet bird questions here
only because they don't know fo the existence of rec.pets.birds. They
see the word "bird" in the name and assume that means all questions about
all birds. They don't bother to read the group's posts for a few days
before jumping into the discussion, so they don't realize they are in the
wrong place. Think of how this would work in "real life." A group of
people are holding a conference on electrical engineering. Someone sees
a sign in the hotel lobby stating that this conference is in Room 57.
That person loves railroads and runs into the room and asks a question
about railroad engineers. I'm sure you see my point.
I am not suggesting that your
>issues should not be included, just that everyone should be welcome to
>participate. Also, why did you post a message to alt.pets.birds telling us
>that the subject of pet birds is not welcome "here".
4. Well, I made the same mistake Aaron did. I forgot to change the
distribution on my response from rec.birds and rec.pets.birds to JUST
rec.birds. And it isn't alt.pets.birds, it's rec.pets.birds.
Also, I really
>think pet birds=delete is offensive to others within this cyber
>community.
5. Well, Sneeky, my friend, here's the scoop on that. I was tired of
people here on rec.birds responding to pet bird questions by telling the
poster to go F___ themself. I had been responding to the pet bird
questions privately, explaining to people that they were in the wrong
conference room, so to speak. Finally, at the last F---- yourself
message, I went public and told that person to save his nastiness, that I
had been taking the time to respond privately so he needn't bother.
Well, several people wrote to suggest that since my responses were
considerably more polite, that I respond publicly, and that maybe 2 or 3
people would get the message, instead of one at a time. Well, I did just
that, and a bunch of people complained about that, so I changed the
message line to read pet birds=delete to save those folks the trouble of
having to glance at the message before deleting it.. Now that offends you
(albeit you
didn't know the history behind it). So, I repeat, you can't please any
of the people any of the time.
So, I now ask my fellow rec.bird participants to come forward, at least
those who thought the appropriate response to the pet bird questions was
F___ You, and return to their former practice.
Why not better define rec.birds if you seek to exclude pets?
Cf. supra. It is better defined. Read the charter, read the FAQ
(frequently asked questions, with answers).
>Certainly pet birds reasonably falls within the catagory of birds,
>especially when many people's servers do not carry all newsgroups.
Then call your systems operator and ask him/her to carry it.
Sincerely,
Ellen Paul
PS - you afraid to sign your name?