Elly

1. Which is noisier, a cockatiel or budgie? They are both noisey but a tiel is louder by far 2. Like cockatiels, are females quieter than males? yes 3. Which is easier to tame? both are simple to tame when you get them at a young age, tiels you can usually find them more readily handled when they are right out of the nest. 4. Will budgies be better kept as a pair All birds are wonderful to be kept in pairs because they love to be together they are social creatures do you need to have them in pairs no. I have 1 budgie Merlin who is in my siggy. I personally stay away from female birds because they can lay eggs with or without a mate. Tiels generally are worse then budgie and once they start especially tiels they are hard to stop. That is my talk I had with our avian vet. If you keep a consistant pattern of covering your bird at night neither a tiel or budgie will squawk at night. Personally on the time that you have to dedicate just an 1 hour a day you may not be ready for either type of bird. Birds are social creatures and I believe personally if you don't have them in pairs you should be able to dedicate at least 3-4 hours a day to play and flight time throughout the day. That maybe extreme for some but we are talking about a lone bird with no friends. If you had a pair (which are noiser) then an 1 a day would be okay but don't expect too much in the term of being tame because that is not much time. If I did pairs I would do the same sex so you don't have to worry about egg laying or breeding which is another responsibility in itself. You also have to ask yourself are you going to commit to the longevity that a budgie or tiel can give you? Budgies can live up to 18 yrs and tiels up to 25 plus years. This is another factor that you need to consider and one of the most important ones because there are so many unwanted pets (including budgies and tiels) in the world. Can I ask what do you want out of a companion parrot and what are you willing to offer the bird as they are wonderful little companions but what I see the most is that the bird doesn't live up to the expection of what the owner thought it would be and then they get rid of it. Because it was TOO noisy, or because it didn't tame down like they expected, or because they didn't realize that they moult and leave feathers everywhere or even because they are messy they throw their seed shells all over the place..... (I don't want to offend you just asking so I apologize if I do in anyway). Oh welcome to the forum and I am so glad you are asking all these questions before you get a bird that is a wonderful step to responsible ownership. By the way don't forget to check out our FAQ they are chocked with great information.

welcome and look forward to pics

When I read your first post before I went on to the replies I felt that it was too late they go down so quick. It reminded me of how Pretty went so fast. I am so sorry to hear about your loss .

call the normal vet and see if he can show you many do know how to clip if he doesn't then you can call the local pet shops that have birds they many times will do a wing clip to. I agree with everyone here. I have seen pictures and I have even seen it done but have not yet tried it myself.

I agree, I believe if I would have noticed the weight loss on Pretty things may have been different maybe not but the vet said that weight loss is the first indicator of illness.

Nerwen they are gorgeous, I love Santa he is super cute

Now how cute is that

Kaz you always have the most amazing experiences. How neat that you were that at the right place at the right time to save this little chick from his near experience death.

I would advise her that she needs to get his other wing clipped because this is dangerous especially since you put him now in the aviary where he will attempt to fly more. As macka said the clipped wings will molt out and he may be fully flighted again within the next 2 molts (sometimes 1 molt will do it). Again, ask her if you can have the other one clipped for safety at this point vs cosmetic reasons. As for the type of bird he is he is beautiful. What color are his eyes? Are they red?

If the cere is a pink then they are most likely babies ...look forward to the pictures.

Welcome to our forums, you have received excellent advice. She is a pretty little girl

Welcome to our forums... There are blue based (white) birds and there are green (yellow) based birds. There are different types of blues and some birds that have the yellow running through them a lot can create the effect of a blue bird looking like a green/yellow bird. I think this is what Feathers was saying? I am sure she will clarify. Anyways welcome!! They are both gorgeous hens. Male recessive pieds will have a smooth deep pink cere like mine in my siggy.

Congrats - great saying.

The frustrations of breeding I am sorry Paul , it will be better as you are very dedicated to your program.

I agree with Normthe fallow's head, wing, and tail markings are brownish. The body color is gradually diluted and is most visible on the rump. The eyes are red (some varieties do not have a pink iris, others do) and the cere of the male fallow does not change normally. As for your cock he does look like a lacewing because his body is mostly white and he has violet cheek patches as described. A suffusion of the body color is slightly visible in the body feathers. The markings of the head, wings, and tail show up as a light cinnamon color and the cheek patches are pale violet. I used to get these 2 confused so I could be off base but that is my theory .

beautiful vibrant colors on all your birds, love your opaline violet reminds me of Merlin

very nice, you need to submit Petrie hanging off the branch to Budgie of the Month that is so cute

okay, cool. I didn't know how it was applied and that the birds where not residing in it yet It is a nice cage and worth fixing for sure

I don't think WD40 or the fumes of this are safe you are better with using the olive oil or the other suggestions in the article to halt the rust

The instructions are right on the board above Pictures , let me know if that helps. Step by step excellent instructions.

I know this has been a back and forth topic before. Here is an article about rust & how you can fix the cage to make it safe. According to this avian site rust is harmful (toxic) for birds. Click to read - http://www.avianweb.com/refinishingcages.html

Welcome to the boards, your house sounds like mine . I love animals too. Your budgies are gorgeous.

glad you had a good time and look forward to seeing your new additions

They are gorgeous Kaz. Is your green carrying the violet gene too it looks like it I love the shade is it an olive? or green/grey (the cheek patches looks silvery blue)? The first one that needs a name is a boy yes? He is so proud looking . Name: Avan (means proud) or Shander

he is a beautiful boy, his tail feathers as Kaz said will come back probably when he has his next couple molts so no worries. Something probably tried to grab him. We caught a cockatiel in my younger days and she had no tail feathers and they came in beautiful after a couple molts.