Shawna

Just wondering about beak maintenance. Sylvester seems to be keeping his beak ground down by rubbing it on the perch. But Tweety's beak is getting quite long and sharp looking. She has access to everything that Sylvester does. Is this something to worry about?

As I mentioned when I started this topic, both of my birds came with clipped wings. But they can fly. Sylvester can probably fly a couple of feet - like from my hand to his cage. But Tweety, even with the clipped wings can fly across a room. She doesn't have a lot of height - maybe 4 feet, but she can go long distances. I still don't see any sign of the flight feathers coming in. She is clumsy though. She sometimes bumps into things. I try to discourage the flying but if she gets spooked she will take off from my finger.

Pretty bird! They are so entertaining!

Oh lucky you. If I were to buy that many birds it would cost me about $280 Canadian dollars - they are about $40 each at a petstore. I hope to increase my flock over time, but will need to build a big indoor cage. Are you planning on breeding? You will probably have a lot of clutch mates in that lot? They are beautifu! Congrats.

I hope that your bird gets well soon.

Cute. Where can i find out the story about them being orphans?

Stunning bird!

What a handsome boy. Looks like he has lots of cool stuff to play with.

Wow! What a comprehensive list. Thanks so much!

Not sure how old - I think they are probably 6-8 weeks old. When I bought them from the petstore I was told they are just babies.

okay. I admit it. I'm a photo junkie. I love to take pictures - I've taken about 5000 of my son and he is 4 yrs old. And now I have these adorable budgies. I can't stop taking pics of them. So I thought I'd share. Hope I don't bore you all with these. Sylvester and Tweety slip and slide on the laminate floor. Sylvester says, "What you looking at?" Tweety waves hello to everyone. Sylvester says a big, "How do you do?" to y'all. Sylvester loves to preen himself. And his best friend Tweety Such a handsome boy

I think if I do decide to clip, I'll have a vet do it. I wouldn't want to hurt the birds. I saw one of the clipped feathers on the bottom of the cage the other day. Do the new feathers grow quickly?

Has anyone given their budgies purple cabbage? Didn't see it on any 'no-no' lists but don't want to chance it until I hear from someone who has done it. Thanks!

I've only had my budgies a short time. The first thing I tried was apple - they wouldn't touch it. I put a small piece of broccoli in the other day next to perch - it was a hit. Tried carrots the same way this morning and it looks like they have been pecking at them. They don't seem to touch things in a dish but will check them out if they are by the perch.

Sounds terrible. Thanks for the info.

I'm learning that it is a little harder with the recessives to tell sex from the cere. Actually, I'm pretty sure now that my mom's baby (Emmy) is a male. I saw him the other day and his cere looks just like Sylvester's. Emmy's dad also has pinkish cere, so he will likely have one too. It is very flat and different from the female's cere. So if I were to breed with Emmy, I will have to use my female Tweety. They are both babies so it isn't something that will be happening any time soon. Sylvester and Tweety Any ideas on what the babies would be if I breed Tweety with Emmy?

Beautiful birds. I'm sure the babies will be lovely! I look forward to seeing pics of them. Welcome!

Oh, so exciting. When I heard that the babies would probably be normal green I was a little disappointed. Not that they aren't gorgeous. But I love blue. And yellowface blue - even better. Thanks for your input everyone!

What an adorable baby. That is going to be a gorgeous adult bird!!!!

(Laughing out loud)

Well I know what the mom and dad of the recessive pied look like. See below Mom Dad I have no idea what Sylvester's (dilute) parents look like.

Forgive my ignorance - what is an egg-bound hen?

Once a budgie mates, does it mate solely with that bird for life?

My mother had her first chick a short time ago, and I just purchased two budgies. It is likely that my birds are siblings, so I will not allow them to mate. But I think my mother's baby, a hen?, would be an okay mate for my Sylvester in about a year. I think with the help of everyone here, we've established that Sylvester is a dilute yellow face type II. I think that my mom's baby is a recessive pied and possibly a yellow face? Can anyone help me identify her, confirm that it is a hen, and give me an idea of what babies I might get? Thanks everyone! I can't believe how interested in budgies I have become in such a short time. And for those of you who don't remember- this is Sylvester

Thanks everyone for the responses. I'm still not sure what I'll do. I know that the first time my hen (Tweetie) was out of the cage she flew directly into the bottom of my picture window (with her clipped wings). Luckily she wasn't hurt and now I always close my blinds. I think that if I can tame them so they aren't terrified of me, I'll probably let them grow in. They are still babies so I have lots of time.