In an earlier posted comment, C stated:

"The budgies may enjoy "Manzanilla" which is what Spanish-speakers around here call chamomile".  He went on to state "Mantazilla" sounds like a giant manta ray that emerges from the deep to ally with Godzilla against Mothra."

A picture of the budgies vs. the monster "Manzanilla" is shown here (courtesy of C).  Because budgies are really dinosaurs, it will be an impressive, B movie-worthy battle.

K wondered if she had misread the label on the herb bought at the Walmart in Sealy.  The best way to check on this is to Google it (not check the label).  A quick google search revealed:

from a site about the history of chamomile  "In spain it has been known for centuries at Mantazillla or "little apple".  It goes on to state that "this is also the name of a type of sherry which has a similar flavor."

But what about Manzanilla?

Wikipedia states that: Manzanilla is a variety of fino sherry...In Spanish, chamomile tea is called "manzanilla"...

So what is the answer to this confusing quandary?  Are there two ways of talking about chamomile in Spanish?  Is one a mutation of the other?  Is one more "correct"? and who will win in the battle of the Mantazilla monster and the ancient feathered dinosaur budgies?

See the Sequel, "son of budgies" to find out!

Mantazilla

While shopping in a Walmart near Sealy TX, following Hurricane Ike (where we had to drive in order to find an open store), I came across a bundle of dried plant called Mantazilla.  It smelled nice, and was in the food section, so I thought I would give it a try for the budgies.  I put a few sprigs in the budgies cage, and they went wild for it, especially Mary ann!

Only after this did I google Mantazilla, and learn that it is also called Chamomille.  Apparently it is used to help budgies who are ill overcome infection.  I don't think Mary Ann is ill, though.  I think she just liked it a lot.

Favorite Weed Seeds

The season for these particular plants has passed, but they flourished in August.  (Of course, now, after Hurricane Ike, all the flora are a bit of a mess).  This picuture shows Sutcliffe about to enjoy this beloved budgie snack!  I couldn't find out what kind of plant this is on any site.  Any readers have any ideas?

The budgies now have new fresh Eucalyptus (Thanks C!).  Sutcliffe was grooming himself by rubbing on the leaves this morning.  It was pretty cute!  Although I can't find information about budgies sense of smell, I am convinced they are able to smell, as they seem to enjoy aromatic foods such as eucalyptus, cilantro, and basil.

Budgies Love Cilantro

Parents Love Their Growing Baby Bird

Sutcliffe and Mary ann remain attentive, loving parents. While its hard to see everything in focus on this video, clearly, the baby has grown a lot. Earlier, I thought his eyes are opened, but now I am not so sure. Its not clear what color he is going to be yet, but I am glad he looks less like a tiny frozen Thanksgiving turkey. Even if, now, he looks a bit like a cross between a hedgehog, and of course, Mr. Magoo.

Boos-day, December 18th, 2007

Happy Boos-day, all! Boo is doing great. He's still adorable and playful, and tame. He seems to particularly enjoy when we get home and give him greens. Mia is also fine. She/he remains neurotic, and often runs back on forth on the perch closest to Boo's cage, quite nervously. She also squawks loudly whenever a hand goes into her cage to deposit food. She actually falls off the perch in her terror. There are tame budgies; and then, there's Mia. Boo and Mia are polar opposites in terms of tameness.
In the summer Boo, and the other budgies gets fresh grasses and dandelion greens. However, in the winter, he (and the other flock members) typically get dill weed, almost daily. They rejected parsley. They love cilantro, but it is a bit pricey and so it is reserved as an occasional treat. I did freeze several stalks of wild grass with seeds, recently thawed. The result of this experiment was budgie elation all around.