Question:
I think it’s great that you have done a lot of research. Each one is an individual and your bird will teach you what it wants and when it wants to do it. I think it’s like parenting books…there’s tons of ‘em but which one is the best? Depends on the person. Good luck with your new friend! Jennifer …man will occasionally stumble over the truth, but usually manages to pick himself up, walk over or around it, and carry on. Winston S. Churchill
Response:
writes: >I find that our budgies are such entertaining little clowns, and I enjoy >sitting in the bird room listening and watching as they do their birdie >little things.
Man, is that the truth! They are so funny sometimes. Our new budgie (Buddy) has gotten in the habit of hiding under the paper towels in his cage and he starts squacking his little head off! Then he starts attacking his bell. They all have their own funny little personalities. Entertaining little clowns. You worded it perfectly, Tara. Deb
Response:
> I’ve already put them together, so I’ll just have to pray that they’ll both be > okay. They do seem alert, active, and healthy, though. The second bird does > sneeze occasionally, but it seems to happen only after he’s been on a dusty > floor. (I’m not the best housekeeper in the world!)
Patricia, chances are they won’t get sick- quarantine is recommended, but you’re probably fine. Also, my budgies also sneeze from time to time- I think they all do. > And regarding: > << Be patient with Roger. Just like some people are shy, he may be also. > November to December is only a month and it takes longer than that to develop a > friendship > with many people, let alone an animal.>> > This is also excellent advice. I guess I’ve been much too impatient, partially > because when I first saw Roger in the petstore, he seemed unusually outgoing > and playful. He came right up to the side of the cage when I approached, then > started "showing off" with his toys etc.
This is how our first budgie, Max, was- we had him for a year before we got another bird and I worked with him every day- no dice. He would sit on my shoulder once I clipped his wings, but he never liked it. I think some budgies are just more outgoing with humans than others. > <<give them equal attention.. I know it will > be hard when Roger is shy and jolly is eager but it is important for the long > term health of both birds.>> > I will definitely try to do this. I have noticed that Roger seems jealous when > I pay too much attention to Jolly, and I have worried that he might eventually > become so upset that his health would suffer. I truly want the best for both > birds. > And I must admit that I’m surprised by how much I care for these little > fellows! I have owned every possible type of pet in my lifetime, but I’m > finding birds to be the most enjoyable of all. > And thank you so much for helping me learn about them!
They are great, arean’t they? So intelligent and – engaging. Even birds that you can’t handle much are fascinating. Once you get one that is particularly interactive, well, there’s nothing like it. — That Prematurely Eccentric Goddess, Kellie
Response:
> I bought three different books on budgies/parakeets, checked out a couple more > at the library, and then moved on to several volumes on parrot behavior. But I > found very little information on how parakeets relate to one another (most > books focus on the keeping of a single bird, or the breeding of pairs), which > is why I decided to track down this terrific newsgroup. Any specific book > suggestions would be appreciated!
The problem with a lot of the books is that they are old and outmoded. Also, it seems they all contradict each other in some area- but overall you can get good info. Like you, I find talking to other bird owners very helpful. Especially when I got my cockatoo. — That Prematurely Eccentric Goddess, Kellie
Response:
Patricia- you might look for books on aviaries. There aren’t many out there, but my library has one that discusses how birds interact. Sorry I don’t have the name for sure- I think it’s just called Aviary Birds. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > <<That pretty much contradicts what you said: > "I am so new to birds, and so ignorant about their behavior,">> > Actually, there’s no contradiction. I’ve only had the budgies since November, > and no contact with any birds ever before in my life. And I only started > reading the books about two weeks ago. > I’m a nonfiction writer myself (over a dozen books published), so I tend to > research subjects pretty quickly and thoroughly once I get interested in them. > Yet with the bird books, I haven’t found a text that I consider all-inclusive, > and many of the authors contradict one another regarding bird behavior. So > despite my reading, I remain ignorant about how birds behave. I hope to learn > more by keeping birds myself, and by reading about the experiences of the folks > here. I also subscribed to Bird Talk magazine, and hope to go to a bird show if > I can find one in my area. > — patricia
– That Prematurely Eccentric Goddess, Kellie
Response:
><<I don’t have any advice to offer, I just wanted to say that I love the names >you gave your budgies.>>
>Thank you for saying so!! :-) >My husband loves the names too — he delights in saying "Up the Jolly Roger!" >ever time he passes by the birdcage. >And the dog groomers always get a kick out of our dogs’ names: Kirby and >Hoover, the two vacuum cleaners.
<snip> >– patricia
Great names! When I worked for a vet a few years back I got a kick out of some of the names people came up with for their animals. I’ve never forgotten one client who had several dogs. They were named Timex, Seiko, Bulova, etc. and he said they were his "watch" dogs. :) — Mama —- "Mamabird’s Nest" Visit my nest and meet my birds! http://members.tripod.com/~iluvbirds/ ~The Book of Winged Memories~
Response:
Hey Patricia! Best thing to do is talk to other budgie owners and take advantage of their experience. I know that’s what you’re trying to do here but you found a little distraction with Jack. *Anyway,* I don’t have a budgie myself but do have some advice. Try joining a local bird club or pick up the phone and call a breeder! You’ll find that most bird keepers love nothing more than to let someone know how much experience they have, particularly if they can help better the life of a bird! Good luck, wish I could help, Gloria – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > <<That pretty much contradicts what you said: > "I am so new to birds, and so ignorant about their behavior,">> > Actually, there’s no contradiction. I’ve only had the budgies since November, > and no contact with any birds ever before in my life. And I only started > reading the books about two weeks ago. > I’m a nonfiction writer myself (over a dozen books published), so I tend to > research subjects pretty quickly and thoroughly once I get interested in them. > Yet with the bird books, I haven’t found a text that I consider all-inclusive, > and many of the authors contradict one another regarding bird behavior. So > despite my reading, I remain ignorant about how birds behave. I hope to learn > more by keeping birds myself, and by reading about the experiences of the folks > here. I also subscribed to Bird Talk magazine, and hope to go to a bird show if > I can find one in my area. > — patricia
Response:
You’re quite right about books contradicting each other. I read everything I can get my hands on, and disregard what doesn’t sound right. Some of it will be pretty obvious once you’ve had birds for a while. Experience and common sense go a long way. Samson – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >When I mentioned I’d read several books about parakeets, Jack AKA Keet ><<That pretty much contradicts what you said: >"I am so new to birds, and so ignorant about their behavior,">> >Actually, there’s no contradiction. I’ve only had the budgies since November, >and no contact with any birds ever before in my life. And I only started >reading the books about two weeks ago. >I’m a nonfiction writer myself (over a dozen books published), so I tend to >research subjects pretty quickly and thoroughly once I get interested in them. >Yet with the bird books, I haven’t found a text that I consider all-inclusive, >and many of the authors contradict one another regarding bird behavior. So >despite my reading, I remain ignorant about how birds behave. I hope to learn >more by keeping birds myself, and by reading about the experiences of the folks >here. I also subscribed to Bird Talk magazine, and hope to go to a bird show if >I can find one in my area. >– patricia
Response:
I would keep them in separate cages for safety until I knew both were healthy for at least 30 days even though they came from the same store. Be patient with Roger. Just like some people are shy, he may be also. November to December is only a month and it takes longer than that to develop a friendship with many people, let alone an animal. Let them play while supervised and give them equal attention.. I know it will be hard when Roger is shy and jolly is eager but it is important for the long term health of both birds. Good Luck, Jennifer …man will occasionally stumble over the truth, but usually manages to pick himself up, walk over or around it, and carry on. Winston S. Churchill
Response:
<<If you’re serious about learning, pick up a few good books and read, read, read.>> I bought three different books on budgies/parakeets, checked out a couple more at the library, and then moved on to several volumes on parrot behavior. But I found very little information on how parakeets relate to one another (most books focus on the keeping of a single bird, or the breeding of pairs), which is why I decided to track down this terrific newsgroup. Any specific book suggestions would be appreciated! — patricia
Response:
Jennifer wisely suggested: <<I would keep them in separate cages for safety until I knew both were healthy for at least 30 days even though they came from the same store.>> Ooops! I’ve already put them together, so I’ll just have to pray that they’ll both be okay. They do seem alert, active, and healthy, though. The second bird does sneeze occasionally, but it seems to happen only after he’s been on a dusty floor. (I’m not the best housekeeper in the world!) And regarding: << Be patient with Roger. Just like some people are shy, he may be also. November to December is only a month and it takes longer than that to develop a friendship with many people, let alone an animal.>> This is also excellent advice. I guess I’ve been much too impatient, partially because when I first saw Roger in the petstore, he seemed unusually outgoing and playful. He came right up to the side of the cage when I approached, then started "showing off" with his toys etc. As for: <<give them equal attention.. I know it will be hard when Roger is shy and jolly is eager but it is important for the long term health of both birds.>> I will definitely try to do this. I have noticed that Roger seems jealous when I pay too much attention to Jolly, and I have worried that he might eventually become so upset that his health would suffer. I truly want the best for both birds. And I must admit that I’m surprised by how much I care for these little fellows! I have owned every possible type of pet in my lifetime, but I’m finding birds to be the most enjoyable of all. And thank you so much for helping me learn about them! — patricia
Response:
> And I must admit that I’m surprised by how much I care for these little > fellows! I have owned every possible type of pet in my lifetime, but I’m > finding birds to be the most enjoyable of all.
I don’t have any advice to offer, I just wanted to say that I love the names you gave your budgies. I find that our budgies are such entertaining little clowns, and I enjoy sitting in the bird room listening and watching as they do their birdie little things. Tara Ballance Montreal, Canada
Response:
<<That pretty much contradicts what you said: "I am so new to birds, and so ignorant about their behavior,">> Actually, there’s no contradiction. I’ve only had the budgies since November, and no contact with any birds ever before in my life. And I only started reading the books about two weeks ago. I’m a nonfiction writer myself (over a dozen books published), so I tend to research subjects pretty quickly and thoroughly once I get interested in them. Yet with the bird books, I haven’t found a text that I consider all-inclusive, and many of the authors contradict one another regarding bird behavior. So despite my reading, I remain ignorant about how birds behave. I hope to learn more by keeping birds myself, and by reading about the experiences of the folks here. I also subscribed to Bird Talk magazine, and hope to go to a bird show if I can find one in my area. — patricia
Response:
<<I don’t have any advice to offer, I just wanted to say that I love the names you gave your budgies.>> Thank you for saying so!! :-) My husband loves the names too — he delights in saying "Up the Jolly Roger!" ever time he passes by the birdcage. And the dog groomers always get a kick out of our dogs’ names: Kirby and Hoover, the two vacuum cleaners. Regarding: <<I find that our budgies are such entertaining little clowns, and I enjoy sitting in the bird room listening and watching as they do their birdie little things.>> I work at home, and have the birdcage right next to my desk. It’s bringing me so much pleasure! The only drawback is that the birds love to screech whenever I’m on the phone. And if I get too involved in my work and don’t talk to them for a while, they start ringing their little bells like crazy! — patricia
Response:
In early November, I bought myself my first bird ever — a young budgie (male, I think) that I fell in love with at a petstore. When I got ‘Roger’ home, he immediately adjusted to his environment. But although he was relaxed and happy, he just wouldn’t tame. I tried a variety of suggestions — had his wings clipped, tried to play with him on the bathroom floor, held him (gently!) close to my chest, offered him millet spray from my hand — but he remained nippy and aloof. By Christmas, I gave up on trying to tame him, and decided that since he wasn’t going to be my close buddy after all, I might as well buy a second budgie to keep him company. (His cage is relatively large.) I went back to the petstore, bought another bird (‘Jolly’), and brought him home. To my surprise, as soon as I let him loose in the cage, Jolly hopped right on my hand! By the next day, I had him sitting on my shoulder, and now when he’s out of his cage he tries to talk to me. (No words, just chirps — but it’s sure fun!) Yesterday I went back to the petstore and asked whether he had been hand-raised. They said ‘absolutely not,’ so I consider his behavior a miracle. But now I’m wondering — if I continue to keep both birds in the same cage, will Jolly eventually turn wild? Or will Roger get more tame by seeing me play with Jolly? Or will neither bird’s behavior influence the other? The two get along well, although they do not seem to interact much with each other. (They play with their toys separately, and sleep on separate perches.) Also, Roger’s wings are growing out. If I don’t plan to take him out of the cage, do I need to have them clipped again? Do I need to keep Jolly’s wings clipped, if he remains so tame and I keep him in a safe birdroom? I am so new to birds, and so ignorant about their behavior, that I’d appreciate any thoughts you might have on this situation. — patricia
If you like this post and would like to receive updates from this blog, please subscribe our feed.