ooblick@intercon.com (Mikki Barry) (11/29/89)
Speaking of cats vs. avians, I have three exclusively indoor cats (alley cats. very happy. don't even WANT to go outside) one of whom is an excellent hunter of the bugs that find their way into our house. These cats live with 30+ birds, some of whom roam the house at will right along with the cats. At first, we thought there might be a problem. But when all three encountered my first bird (yellow nape amazon), he showed them who was boss. The first cat that decided to venture forth was the huntress. She came over near the t-stand, and after stalking and otherwise sneaking around (thinking she was actually hiding in the carpet), she lunged at the parrot. He let out an increadible growl (rivaling the neighbor's dog) and bit her paw. After the necessary repairs, she never bothered a bird again. Next came my 23 pound (no fat, believe it or not) cat who started towards the bird when both of them were playing on the floor. The bird noticed him and began walking toward the cat. Cat sniffed bird. Bird said, "hello". Cat freaked and ran, never to bother bird again. The third victim was lying on the floor minding his own business. the parrot thought that his tail would make a nice perch. So he climbed on. Cat woke up and panicked, trying to remove tail from claws of parrot. Parrot got upset and bit tail. Cats have never since bothered the birds. Mikki Barry