thk

THanks guys... ...I have read a lot on here about "cinnamon spangles" etc and never really understood it all, and wondered if that was the type of wing that Charley does have. his wings do have more of the brown markings than you can see in the photos, rather pretty actually as the white underneath is so VERY white.. and the brown markings on the wings are so pretty and what I call "scalloped". I appreciate your advice and comments!!

I've posted (and BOASTED) a lot about Charley on the forum.. I've always wondered, reading all about the different types of budgies (and I never knew there were so many!!!)... what type Charley might be. Its so hard to get good photos of his colouring but I've posted two herewith and wonder if anyone can tell what he is? He has grey belly and back (between wings), his wings are predominantly white with brownish scalloped (?) markings. (excuse the non professional description.. I dont have any experience other than he's a character!!).. I appreciate it is difficult to tell from photos.. but perhaps you could have a look and maybe have some ideas? http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x112/tm...arleytoday2.jpg http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x112/tm...leytoday1-1.jpg

Here are links to a couple of videos of Charley flirting with himself.. and his "soccer ball". Hope you take a look and that they show up okay His picture is not always very clear as I have to hide myself and camera while recording otherwise he just comes straight to me so I've had to zoom him in. Sometimes he speaks a little unclearly but you can generally pick out his "give us a kiss" "hellow sweetie" and "pretty pretty budgie".. he is also starting to now say "bad bad boy" but you'd have to listen really carefully and know what he's saying as he often just prattles on in his own little bird/human language. He does say it just prior to his wolf whistle in the first video..... I'm now working on getting him to speak more clearly by saying the phrases to him a little slower. in the second video just be a little patient as he takes a couple of minutes before he actually speaks to the ball.. first he has to kick and throw it around to show who's boss!! http://s183.photobucket.com/albums/x112/tm...arleyflirts.flv http://s183.photobucket.com/albums/x112/tm...rleyplaying.flv Hope you get a smile out of it!!

When I was young my mum and dad used to breed birds and had a few of the crested canaries, we used to call them "Beatles" because it was around the time when the Beatles were popular with their mop tops! THey look so cute!

GORGEOUS babies!!!! I love the head on the double factor spangle chick.. what a gorgeous face!! But they're all beautiful!! Congratulations Kaz. :hap:

funny you should mention that.. i keep trying to record him but he stops as soon as he sees the camera.. i've even tried hiding.. crawling around the floor with my hand up in the air trying to AIM the camera at him (hoping desperately no one comes in and sees me in such a strange activity!!) but as soon as he catches a glimpse he stops and comes to the edge to see whats going on!! I will keep trying as I would love to catch him in the act.. its truly crazy to watch.. and soooo cute!!

I just can not believe how entertaining these little feathered fellows can be. I was watching Charley recently playing with the ball (you know.. the little plastic ones with the bell inside.. I call it his "soccer ball").. He kicks it, throws it up in the air, then nuzzles up to it saying softly "hello sweetie!! Give us a kiss!! (kissing sound followed by romantic wolf whistle) ". Makes me giggle everytime, then he looks up and gives me his one-eyed on the side look of "and??? whats YOUR problem???" as he turns back to give it another kick and romantic "hello sweetie!!! (kiss kiss)". He can now say "pretty budgie" but gets carried away with himself and says "pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty PRETTY budgie!!". I'm trying to teach him to say "bad bad boy" (when he bites) but he wont be in it!! As I say.. who needs television for entertainment when one has these little feathered clowns!!! :hap:

Charley immediately heads for my hair (pardon the pun!!) when he's let out of his cage... he also chews my hair, and I dont wear hair gel. I think its just the hair itself they like. Charley also insists on flying into my face, something I have not been able to understand.. I have to make sure I turn my face away in time.. even if he's on my finger, he will not be happy unless he's in my face or hair!! I would also be interested to hear if other people have the same "problem"... thanks for bringing the topic up.

No expert.. but doesnt it mean he's feeling excited or amorous???

Thanks Kaz.. I really do agree, I prefer to take him with me.. he's such good company and he is used to the warm climate here in Brisbane so its not like he's going from the "snow to the surf"!!! He is also a very easy going bird, when I first brought him home in the car, in a temporary cage, i sat the cage in the front seat of my car and he just calmly sat on the perch looking out the window. Was not at all nervous. I realise it could be traumatic for a bird to be transported but I really think Charley could handle it.. there isnt much that phases him. There are risks, but there are always risks I guess and as you know, even the healthiest seeming birds can suddenly pass away for no reason so surely its not good to be too paranoid. I dont think I would be happy without him... I will phone the airlines tomorrow and find out what they say. Thanks for your support and understanding!!!! And I must add.. my work colleagues and bosses would NEVER understand that a "mere budgie" is my main concern in taking up a 6 month (higher paid) position up north!!!!!! but I know YOU Understand!!!!!

Need some advice... I have possibly (probably!) been transferred to Darwin (from Brisbane) for 6 months. I do have family who can look after the budgies, Max will be fine, she is not tame and would be just as happy in my daughters house as in mine.. however.. Charley is totally tame and LOVES me (as I've made quite obvious on this forum with my constant bragging!!)... and I love him. ANy hints on how I could take him and his cage with me??? I would be going by plane naturally.. I'm undecided whether the actual travelling would be too much for him.. and if he really would be better off staying here with family.. I know he would be just as happy as my 12 year old grandson adores him.. but I'm thinking of ME at this stage. I would miss him terribly. but of course if it has to be .. 6 months is not a lifetime and as long as I know he is happy.. and i could of course have him back after 6 months... Any suggestions???

It is a serious matter but I have to say its one of the cutest "baby photos" i've seen. Hopefully the little champ will turn out fine! Beautiful little baby!!

Thanks guys.. I'll have a look at the guinea pig feeder and see what it looks like.. it may give me at least some more ideas. I guess its true that for budgies, playing with the food is going to be half the fun!!

I especially love the last picture... so cute how he's flirting with himself!!!

I have tried a few times to enter the Budgie of the Month by emailing the link you have .. however two of the three addresses come back undeliverable and once all three addresses were "undeliverable". I'm therefore not sure if my entry was successful, or why they address link on your post doesnt work. Hopefully my entry did get there one way or another...

I guess its good news that she passed away..she looked very sad and uncomfortable.. up to Budgie Heaven where I'm sure she'll be happier. Its always sad when they go though.. RIP little one.

Well I'm happy to hear that I'm not the only one seen as "slightly strange" by people because of my love of budgies! "its only a BIRD!!!!" they tell me.. not to me... they're "pals" and mean just as much to me as their dog, cat or horse does to them! I love the saying I've seen on this forum.. something about "angels and birds having wings"(??).I proudly show photos to son-in-law of Charley doing clever things.. he raises his eyebrows in a "yeah right!" way and mutters something under his breath. I'm a grandmother, almost 60, live in a flat alone.. no.. not alone.. with my two "feathered toddlers" which I've had for only 4 to 6 months, but I can not imagine my life without them now! I work durng the day and cant wait to get home to my "kids". They are so happy to see me, so faithful and loving. Sometimes I wonder also.. how such a tiny feathered being, which fits entirely in one hand.. can give you so much love and joy! Only "bird people" could ever understand!!And thats what makes this forum so special.. we are all on the same wavelength!!! One big (bird) family!! Sorry.. I apologise...this will be my last brag re Charley and his bath!!!....I promise!! here is the link finally to my little home video of Charley's first swim... Please just have ONE look at it... I think its rather cute in how he keeps coming back to the camera (me!!) to show off how much fun he is having... http://s183.photobucket.com/albums/x112/tm...nt=CIMG1024.flv

How sad to see a budgie in such a state. Surely it must be uncomfortable, in pain even? Is there any hope for recovery? It hurts to see its sad little face.. Good luck with the little sweetie.

ANy hints on ways to feed (cage) budgies certain greens? I have bought some snow pea sprouts... Max "tolerates them".. .. Charley loves them. But I have tried various ways to stick a bunch of them through the wire of his cage, held in place by pegs or even bulldog clips.. Charley eats them of course but also tries to stand on them, hang upside down from them, and pull them all out one by one, and naturally they then fall to the cage floor, making a BIG mess, this is usually within minutes. Even though this is great exercise and entertainment for him, I wonder how other people feed their budgies greens. He does the same with beans etc. I do have a "food stick" (like a skewer) which is great for fruit but am a little lost as to what to do with the veges that cant be "skewered"... Any hints????

Thanks for your comments. Sometimes its just too hard to resist showing off your little feathered mates.. I find that non-budgie friends just do not understand when I rave about Charley.. I know everyone on this forum can appreciate the feelings we have for our little feathery bundles of joy!! I have attached an early photo of Charley so you may understand why I am such a "show off". Charley was originally thought to be a "runner" as he had no flight feathers or tail and looked rather scruffy as if, particularly his tail feathers were untidily chewed off in some way. He couldnt fly and was not really as "attractive" as most other budgies. However, he has grown his flight feathers and lovely long tail (he must have been clipped, and not suffering from French Moult as originally thought.) and I think he has really blossomed. When I first got him.... no tail.. no flight feathers... http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x112/tmkoroi/CIMG0184.jpg As he is now.. albeit still preferring to hide....in my hair!! http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x112/tmkoroi/CIMG1005.jpg

I agree that a wet budgie is a cute budgie!! ... What amazes me is how scraggy and scruffy they look when wet, and yet each feather falls so neatly back into place when dry!! And yes, the blinds (and everything around the cage) got a good soaking as well. The bath does have a top but he doesnt like that as much, he prefers to splash around and wet everything around him. I have him on video as well but it took too long to download to Photobucket. Its cute because he gets in and out of the bath heaps of times and each time he comes to Mum (me) and shows me how wet he is .. and then he excitedly races (flies!) back for another dip.. then back to Mum. and on and on he goes. He reminded me so much of a young child at the seaside who dips his toes in the water then comes back to show mum how clever he is... In a lot of ways they are no different to little children are they! In the end I had to take it away from him as the place was getting wetter and wetter. Needless to say it meant I had to then "mop" the cage as well as the blinds, window, table top.

Just a couple of photos I think are rather cute of Charley's first "dive" into his new bath.. before and after photos.. He ADORES his bath and I have to take it out to get him out of it or he would "wrinkle up"!!! http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x112/tm.../CIMG1026-1.jpg http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x112/tmkoroi/CIMG1023.jpg

Thanks guys. I bought these at the supermarket so have decided not to give them.. would hate to "kill them with kindness"!!! I will look around for organically grown ones.

I have researched various sites and would really like to know please... if Strawberries (washed) are okay to give my budgies now and then (occasionally!!). Some sites say yes.... others say no... can I have some opinions please? I have a "food stick" on which I can thread various foods (like a kebab!) and wish to vary what I put on there from time to time. I have given in the past apple, pear, spinach, beans etc but how about a strawberry? Charley loves anything new.. (Max wont touch anything thats not seed!!.. funny how different they can be!!) ....I would hate to give something that would harm them. Thank you in anticipation!!

I just thought I would post these photos of Charley doing what he likes best. http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x112/tmkoroi/CIMG0995.jpg http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x112/tmkoroi/CIMG1005.jpg http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x112/tmkoroi/CIMG0997.jpg When I let him out to fly around he aims straight for my head and likes to bury himself in my hair!! and no... its not THAT pleasant a feeling! He also tends to fly straight to my face, especially loves to aim for my nose, sometimes grabbing hold of my nostril and hanging by one claw (ouch). Does anyone else have this "problem" with their little "darlings" when they're out and about? I try to redirect him to my arm or shoulder but no, he wants the face and hair! Perhaps I will have to start wearing a bucket on my head!!