From the parrot's beak: lawyers, guns and money edition

- Say What?: Goliath the parrot will not be returned to his owner because the owner is about to commit suicide. Moreover, the rescue where Goliath is staying, "also stole my gun from my house, which apparently, was 'legal', since they told the police I was going to harm myself," as the owner explains; continuing that the suicide diagnose was a "fabricated story they came up with based on coincidental circumstances." However, although the rescue eventually relented and agreed to return Goliath, his human pal's woes didn't end there. He needs a ride from east Orlando to Malabar, Florida and, "Unfortunately, I do not have the money to pay for the trip."

- Don't Have a Holy Cow: And now someone doesn't have Hariyal the parrot because the hookbill allegedly verbally abused a woman. Hariyal is in police custody. Janabai Sakharkar suspects her stepson Suresh Sakharkar of training the neighbor's parrot to hurl obscenities every time the bird laid eyes on her. The two relatives had been feuding over an inheritance. Extensive police interrogation, even parading Ms. Sakharkar around, failed to get Hariyal to utter any dirty birdy words. Either an innocent, or a very sly Hariyal sat there merely making an occasional random noise. Reportedly, the authorities took Sakharkar’s mental well-being very seriously and took the bird into custody. Unclear is whether his bird cage was placed inside a jail cage, or if his jailers felt that might be overkill.

- About that Photo: Growing public acceptance has led to a a loosening of marijuana laws in many areas. However, ANY type of smoke can be harmful to birds. Veterinarian Cassee Terry of Redmond, Oregon warns. "Birds are much more sensitive to smoke inhalation toxicity than other animals.” So if you must spark up that doobie, do be smart and go outside or well away from your bird. Also carefully monitor any Cheech and Chong types who might be tempted to "see what it's like to get the bird high".

- Parrot Fever Strikes....and the Hillary Connection: An unidentified species of bird tested positive last week for avian chlamydiosis. In humans, that's psittacosis or parrot fever. The Carroll County Health Department, Maryland Department of Health and Hygiene; and the Carroll County Humane Society are investigating. The bird lived at Ruffled Feathers Parrot Rescue and Sanctuary in Hampstead and did cause human illness. Chlamydiosis is a bacterial disease (most common in parrots and parrot-like birds); treatable with antibiotics. Infected birds may be drowsy, feed poorly, have discharge from eyes and nose, diarrhea and/or ruffled feathers - or they may not show any symptoms at all. Humans get psittacosis by inhaling fluids or stools from an infected bird or bites, mouth to beak contact and handling feathers. The incubation period ranges from 5 to 14 days. Infections in humans may be mild to severe but also treatable with antibiotics. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and a dry cough. Pneumonia is often evident on chest x-ray. Coincidentally, it was pneumonia that nearly knocked Hillary Clinton of her feet a few weeks ago, although there's no apparent tie to parrot fever. Visitors to Ruffled Feathers Parrot Rescue who become ill should contact a health care provider. The good news is that since 2010, fewer than 10 confirmed cases have been reported in the United States each year.

- Psittacine Cinema: Sparrows, parrots and eagles: This election season is so bonkers ...

- How About Cleaning Up After Yourself?: "Tonight when I got home,and started with my chores, Marlow [the parrot], said, 'And what would you like me to do?' Who the heck has he been listening too?" queries one Facebook poster.

- Social Media Saves the Day: Marvin Fussell never clipped the wings of Sunnybird the sun conure in the 14 years he's had her. She flies around in his backyard and has always returned - until Fussell moved to a new home in Coralville, Iowa. Likely confused by her new surroundings, Sunnybird flew off and did not come back. Fussel turned to a 'Net site called nextdoor.com and 36 hours later; received a call from a local animal shelter that someone had captured and turned in a sun conure. Editor's note: For more on locating lost birds through social media. see "Parrot Lost and Found" by this editor in the October "Pet Gazette". the article will be linked in an upcoming "parrot's beak".

- The Prescient Parrot: "My parrot died today. Its last words were 'F**k, I think my parrot is about to die'", From a website collection of "humorous" tweets.

- Quote o' the week: Those voices are in my head, they're telling me “Get another bird.” - Facebook meme.

- Hot Dates: 9/24 -25: Virginia Beach Pet Expo-Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th St., Virginia Beach, VA -Sat 10-6, Sun 11-4 -- East Penn Budgie Club Show-Blakeslee Community Center, 5669 PA-115, Blakeslee, PA -Sat 9-4, Sun 9-3

9/24: Greater Charlotte Cage Bird Society Fall Bird Expo NC Army National Guard, 300 Sixth Street, Belmont, NC -- Pet Pride Parade. Palm Springs, Ca 8-12. Tailgate party, awards ceremony, celebrity appearances, exhibitors and music. Awards will be given for the best costumes for both pets and owners. -- Toy Making Class, Parrot University, 11 a,m. 321 South Polk St, Pineville NC -- Avian Health and Medicine Class, 2 p.m. Parrot University, 321 South Polk St, Pineville NC

9/25: Erie Cage Bird Club Annual Bird Auction-New Perry Highway Hose Company, 8281 Oliver Road, Erie, PA 16509 -10-4 -- Did You Know? A Gathering of Parrot Care Information, 10=12, Stahl Exotic Veterinary Services, 4105 Rust Rd., Fairfax, VA -- Rainforest Exotic Bird Mart. Door prize. Adults $4; under 12 FREE. 9-4. National Guard Armory, 9900 Normandy Blvd. Jacksonville, FL -- Sex & the Single Bird Class, 2 p.m. Parrot University, 321 South Polk St, Pineville NC

10/1: Long Island Parrot Sociey (LIPS) Parrot Expo 2016-"Accent on Behavior" Speakiers include Lara Joseph of the Animal Behavior Center and Kathy LaFollett of "Flock Call". Freeport Recreation Center, 130 Merrick Road, Freeport, Long Island, NY -9-5 -- Peninsula Caged Bird Society Fall Festival-The Columbian Center, 100 Columbus Way, Newport News, VA -9-4 - Parrot Natural History class.11 a.m. Parrot University, 321 South Polk St, Pineville NC -- Addressing Screaming for Attention in Companion Parrots. Barbara Heidenreich webinar12 noon CST. Includes 30 minutes of Q & At.

10/2: Seattle Parrot Expo: POSTPONED until 2017 due to family issues..However, Ken Ramirez, Exec. Dir. of Training at Karen Pryor Academy will speak as scheduled. . 9-5. FREE lunch. Tukwila Community Center, 12424 42nd AVe Suth, Tukwila, WA - Solutions for Parrot Behavior Problems Related to Hormones. Barbara Heidenreich webinar. 12 noon CST. Includes 30 minutes of Q & A. -- Positive Reinforcement class. Parrot University. 2 p.m. 321 South Polk St, Pineville NC

10/7-10: Parrot Palooza 2016-Bird Paradise, Guest speaker. Dr. Laurie Hess. Photo, pumpkin carving, toy penguin races and other contests; DJ, sales, food and more. 551 E. Rt. 130 South, Burlington, NJ -Fri 9-9, Sat 10-9, Sun 10-5, Mon 9-9

- Stolen: Baby blue & gold macaw, still in incubator, valued at $1400 and already sold to a broken hearted customer. Parrot Connection, in Reno NV noted the theft on Monday of last week. While the store manager was busy, reportedly a young woman described as Hispanic with short black hair came to the incubator and took the baby, ran to a white car parked on Lakeside and drove down Moana. Fears are that without a special formula 3 times a day, and an incubator for warmth the baby bird may not survive. Tips can be called to Reno Police at 334-2175 or Secret Witness at 322-4900. The Reno Area Avian Enthusiasts Club is offering a reward. -- Found: Parakeet, blue and white, very friendly.Laurel Hollow, NY. Contact susan@spark-nyc.com -- Lost: African grey. Brooklyn, NY. Reward offered. (347) 967-8414.-- Sighted: Yellow parakeet; Weymouth, MA on Ralph Talbot Rd.