Chrysocome

I think it's the sudden temperature fluctuations that are harmful to a bird. It takes time for certain mechanisms to switch on to keep their internal temperature constant. So if you have a draft, whether warm or cold, and it's creating very fast temperature changes in that area, I think that is what's potentially dangerous. Whereas the actual temperature might not be the biggest factor because once those mechanisms have switched on they'll stay on. (But then it takes time to turn them off, too). I've read "keep them out of drafts" in many books, and having done a bit of thermoregulation in my vet course I tend to agree.

I agree with the above. I also noticed that Milly loves to do it when she's moulting. It makes the fluff and feathers float around and she loves watching the mayhem that ensues - particuarly me getting grumpy about having to clean up the mess! Squee is starting to catch on too

So how have things gone since I let Milly and Squee together? Well, they're still BFF, that's for sure. This photo reminds me of my sig... Operation: Stop Chryso doing homework Somehow, Squee always manages to steal the show... My beads! But Milly doesn't mind <3

Wow, there are some amazing ideas in this thread. Bea, you are so creative! There's some wonderful work here. I'm inspired to give it a try. What kind of thread/rope material is suitable? I'm worried about using something that is too weak or that will fray and loop around their toes. I have plenty of beads and craft things lying about, just waiting to be used

Great shots! I love seeing them with their wings outstretched. Zoom!

I can't speak for Sailor, I'd love to hear how things are going. How things are going for Chryso: Please, please, please let me pass *foetal position rocking back and forth* Second year is crazy-hard. I've had my third of nine exams. *asleep* Good news though, I completely filled up my work experience requirement. dairy in July followed by aquariums. I'm also going to go annoy the Ornithological research society to see if I can't get them to send me on raven research <3. I'm also heading back to penguins at the end of the year! How are things Sailor?

Super cute as always <3

Oh dear, I was reading through just now with increasing urgency and I'm so sad to hear how it ended. I'm sorry for your loss. It is a hard lesson and I am glad that you did learn from it and understand what to do in future. (I'm not sure if this applies to you, but I understand the different view of animals from an Asian sort of background (ie they're not worth more than what you paid for it to begin with). I hope your family is not like mine and just get annoyed at you for caring. ) You can take the time now to learn all you can about taking care of birds, and in future when you get another budgie you will be able to detect things like this earlier, and make better decisions (for yourself, too. It's so hard having to rely on parents.) Again, I am glad that you have taken something out of this that you might have learnt for life. I'm sorry it had to be the hard way. Your little budgie is flying free now.

Oh, super cute! I love their big eyes and soft colours. <3

Oh no, poor budgies The other ones in Vic that I can think of are: Nankeen kestrel: http://www.naturefocus.com.au/images/nankeen_kestrel.jpg Swamp harrier: http://www.mangoverde.com/wbg/images/00000014890.jpg Little eagle: http://image18.webshots.com/18/6/93/14/224...64UcxnqB_ph.jpg Brown falcon: http://www.netcore.ca/~peleetom/Aus%20Brown%20Falcon.jpg I hope he realises he won't get any lunch and goes away!

Oh dear, where to start :ausb: My very favourite: secrets between Milly and Squee Lipstick for budgies! Squee: Super cute and totally aware of it. Eh? Baby Squee - not quite sure which way is up. Baby Milly balancing a texta on her head XD Nyaaaahhh! MUAHAHAHAAH! Milly - sucker for headscritchies Sorry that was a lot - I just couldn't choose!

I've got.. a lot Now, I just have to find them all... Cool thread and AMAZING photos! EDIT: Here we go... Milly first: Plenty of Squee:

Welcome to the forums! As I said your post about bird rings, I find this a neat coincidence. You're from Werribee too! Your name is the same as my brother's, and you have the same number of budgies as us. *stares* You aren't him, right?

*blinks* I'm not a breeder, so I can't help with your question. I'm just posting because I see you live in my very home town - and you have my brother's name! *stares*

Aw! They look so cute together

Thanks, the secrets one is my fav too. There's something about the second last one I really like as well, the way their faces fit into each other's, like an old Escher drawing. They're so happy and they love each other so much. That just makes me so happy, I just look at them and smile. I love both of them, and the beautiful thing is they still love me! Milly still demands head scritchies, and Squee will still race over and pounce into my hand for a play wrestle. Having at least two budgies is definitely a good thing.

Good to hear from you hommer, your pictures are beautiful as always. I love the preening one too. Take it easy and I hope you feel better soon.

I know it's been a while since you guys have seen my budgies so here's a special edition dedicated to friendship. Enjoy S: Hey Mill. Our human has a weird big word in her sig. What does it mean? M: Weeellll... let's see. We play, We share our secrets, We bicker, We share, We hang out, HEADBOP! We accidentally hurt each other, But we always forgive each other. So you see... This is friendship! Milly and Squee - friends forever <3

The grit debate is very interesting, I have yet to make up my mind. I think the birds eating sand/grit is an instinct from when they needed it to break down tougher food they might have eaten. They might not need it anymore on the diet we feed them. I've spoken to two of my lecturers, one of which was an avian specialist. The specialist argued with me for a long time, my friends were annoyed that I was "hogging the bird man" XD. He was set on pet psittacines requiring grit (the definition being bits of shells). His argument was that, even though they hull the seeds, all this does is remove the outer covering. What's inside is still a 'chunk of stuff' and hard particles will help break it down for more efficient breakdown and absorption. It's like, you could remove the outer covering of small grapes and then swallow it whole… but you might like to chew on it first to help digestion. Since birds don't have teeth, they'd have to do this in the muscular stomach. He also said they need it (grit, not sand) for instant, soluble calcium. (When I was at Phillip Island I learnt that the penguins pick up seashells which they would keep in their stomach during the egg-laying season. You could find piles of it outside their burrows). The other person said, seeds are quite digestible so the stomach enzymes should be efficient. As others have mentioned, overindulgence of grit leads to impaction, as opposed to what appears to be no side effects when you don't feed it. (Bird man's argument was that overindulgence happens when you introduce it suddenly, as birds understand when they require a certain nutrient). There’s no need for soluble calcium since it’s commonly supplied by cuttle bones and supplements. Anyway, it's debatable and entirely up to the individual. I am not sure which side I stand on. I offer grit, a tiny bit mixed with the seeds, not enough for engorgement. Having read this topic and written all of that, I think I'm going to investigate some more on this.

Jac, I am sorry for your loss. My first ever budgie was also called Buddy (he flew away, a long time ago). Did Buddy get regular vegetables? If not, it could be vitamin A deficiency, which commonly leads to growths in/around the mouth. Unfortunately, it could be many things. They are delicate little creatures, and are good at hiding their illness. By the way, welcome to the forums!

Thanks for sharing, Lovey. *hugs*

Oh lovey, I am so very sorry. There are tears in my eyes, this is so heartbreaking. He was special and we all loved him. Many hugs to you. Fly free, beautiful Pretty. :rip:

*hophophopscooooot* :rip: He is so cool Bea. So glad he's doing better.

Beautiful photos! They're all great :rip:

Hi guys, know I haven't said much but I'm still here and enjoying your budgie stories! Here's a (bad quality and silent) video of Squee for you all. http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a14/Chrys...nt=squeelet.flv We're both certainly very busy! That video was a bit older - the girls are playing happily together now, though I've kept them in separate cages until the big cage comes in. I have more additions. Here is my herd of chickens: Somewhat past the cute and fluffy stage now! And I wish this gorgeous boy was mine - Max. I met him on one of my work experience days at the chicken farm. If you ever go out Geelong way, drop him a visit. He flies freely in a huge pet store there. I hope to post more now :rip: