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How could you NOT!! they're both so cute!!! I LOVE them!! I CANT go into pet shops to look at budgies.. its just too difficult to walk away without one. I live in a flat and have two (probably illegally since it specifies "no pets") but I had to have "someone" to love me when I come home (being an "older' person who lives alone!).. and they are my life!! (of course I love the kids and grandkids but cant go past a couple of little feathered friends!!) I love the colours of Pixie and Gizmo!!! lucky you!!

okay.. bear with me.. I am attaching a link (photobucket) of video i made of Charley this morning. Hopefully it will work and moreso..hopefully I have done this correctly so its not too big etc. Please be kind if i've done it incorrectly!!! Its Charley's first words, I've only had him 9 weeks and he has JUST started to speak. You kind of have to know what he's saying although some words are obvious (such as "hello sweetie"... his kissing sounds and wolf whistles.. ) however you have to listen closely for the "pretty pretty boy" and "I'm a pretty budgie"... Showing off?? yes I guess so.. but I'm so proud of him and think this is rather sweet.. have a look and see what you think.. remembering these are only his first words... http://s183.photobucket.com/albums/x112/tm...nt=CIMG0993.flv

Has to be one of the cutest things to watch, budgies having a bath.. then coming out of it looking all scruffy. . and dont they just LOVE water??? Charley used to try to fit into his drink bowl so I have bought him a bath.. he loves it and I love watching him as he begins by wetting his beak and pretending he's totally wet!! then gradually he gets more "involved" with the bath water until he practically "dives" in. You've gotta love 'em!!!!

I find it so confusing.. the physical differences ... the boy/girl thing.. prior to joining this forum i always thought it was simply "brown cere for girls", "blue cere for boys".. but i have noticed that it is not that easy... there seem to be so many shades of blue/white blue/pink depending on the colour of the budgie and the age ... . But I guess as I so often read, the behaviour tends to give it away doesnt it. My girl (Max) is so different to my boy (Charley). Max SEEMS quieter, makes predominantly budgie noises, is more timid, she acts differently, plays differently with her toys, anything new in her cage gets treated hesitantly. Charley on the other hand is very confident, noisy, totally tame, wolf whistles, has just started "speaking" ...he says "hello ssssssweetie".. (I love the way birds say "ssss" they seem to emphasise it.. very cute!!) and is making kissing noises. he is always on the go.. put anything new into his cage and he dives straight in to investigate...perhaps that is just a difference in personalities? I feel that Max is 100% "budgie" who sees me as 100% human..... Charley is 50% "human" who sees me as 50% budgie!! Now that Charley has "spoken" his first words I am looking forward to teaching him more, he seems very receptive and keen to learn. It has taken a while for him to say his first words, I've had him for 9 weeks, I think he's around 5 months old so I guess hasnt done too badly!!

Wow Bec.. theyre GORGEOUS!! I especially love Bubbles! although they are all very pretty birds and they look so lovable, its so hard to stop buying more and more birds isnt it? they all have their different personalities... I love the way Skittles is looking up at you.. butter wouldnt melt in his mouth... or would it!!!!????

My Charley used to do this and as his wings were clipped I thought it was a source of frustration but now that his flights have grown beautifully and he gets out daily for a fly around, he will still do it when in the cage. I'm also thinking now that it must be a form of exercising his "muscles" as well as just pure excitement!

thanks. Thats so interesting. I think also that perhaps the magpie (could even have been a butcher bird, they do look similar from a bit of a distance) may have been attracted to the sound of Charley. Luckily we and the window are up high (second floor) and the balcony doesnt extend to that window so no cats can get to the window sill. I find it amazing that the little guy knew what to do ..i.e. keep very still and quiet as he's normally just the most confident, active and noisy little fellow around who rarely sits still! I let him out now almost daily and he loves a fly around the room, amost always lands on my shoulder or head. He's starting to bite harder though and I hope I can get him out of that my saying "ah-ah-ah-ah" very loudly and if he continues to bite I push him off my arm or wherever he's biting me from at the time. Its hard to know how strongly to "punish" him as I dont want to lose his confidence in me. I wonder if like in the dog world, budgies need to know who the "alpha" bird is (me!!).. does anyone know if it works with birds?? i.e. showing him who's boss cocky (me) or is that a waste of time with budgies?

I'm interested to know..Do budgies have a natural instinct to be fearful of say Magpies? Charley in his cage in front of the window (blinds not fully open) sitting "statue like" still this morning. I noticed there was magpie sitting on the window sill outside. Charley is always noisy and lively first thing in the morning, (sometimes ANNOYINGLY noisy!!)... but there he was .. totally still, not moving a feather. The magpie flew off after a few minutes.. now Charley is chirping and busy with his usual acrobatic antics. forgot to add... he is never nervous or afraid of anything or anybody coming close to him, which is why I was interested why THIS time he sat totally motionless!! Do magpies attack budgies in the wild and would Charley have an instinctive feeling of this??? I'm interested to know!!

Thanks Kaz. I do find it difficult to get the lighting right when taking photos, I havent worked out how to turn the flash off when its not needed. Whatever he is.. he or she.. doesnt matter.. its the best little pal I've ever had, so tame and totally acrobatic! He's also starting to "talk", has a great wolf whistle and I'm starting to pick up little "word" sounds. Considering I've only had him for 7 weeks I'm very happy with his "progress"!! We initially thought he had "French moult" as he had no tail or flight feathers but it seems the breeder had clipped them, he now has the most beautiful wings and tail. I have one question though.. my other budgie, Max, is a "mauve recessive pied" hen and seems to be losing a lot of her "under feathers" (the little white fluffy ones!!).. I thought moulting only lasted a few weeks, the floor around her is always messy with the little feathers, whereas Charley only seems to lose a few (although he hasnt had his first moult yet) Max is about 7 months old, Charley is about 4 months I think. Max still looks lovely, so I dont think she's losing too many feathers, i just wonder if this is normal .. or is it perhaps because they are "inside" birds?? Or is she lacking something??? Any hints???

This is no help to you at all, just agreeing with you and wondering the same thing. Whether it is a good idea to make mine have "rest time" in his cage when he enjoys being out of it. would be interested to see what replies you get.

I finally got the courage to let Charley out of his cage for the first time. I felt he was ready (or is it ME who was finally ready!!!), he steps onto my hand on command and seems to love my company. So today I first took him out on my hand, he flew around like mad (I had shut blinds, doors etc). First landing was on the floor, a little nerve wracking but he soon found a suitable landing strip, my arm and later, my shoulder. I have attached photo of him when I opened the top of his cage and he's contemplating what he should do for his first solo flight. THe other photo is of his first successful landing on my shoulder. Problem is he eats my hair and I get a little nervous that he will go for the ear.. or my face. He nibbles but sometimes a little rougher than other times. I know he enjoyed his first free flight, yet he seems now quite happy to be back into his cage telling his bells and toys all about it!! This surprised me, I was afraid he would not want to be confined again in his cage but he seems quite happy. It was a lovely feeling to finally get him close to me and I will try to let him out every day. http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x112/tm...idenflight1.jpg http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x112/tm...idenflight4.jpg

How wonderful of you to have taken her home and made her last hours as comfortable as possible. You did all you can and what a wonderful thing you did for her!! If you hadnt taken her home things would not have been so peaceful for her. To the petshop she would have been just another bird lost, to you she was a special little friend for a short time. I applaud your efforts!!!

Have checked out the recommended site.. find it very useful. I will try it when I come back from my break, I am away for 4 days (thurs to Monday.. and of course .. someone will be looking after them while I'm away..) so might wait till I'm back. I will then spend a fair bit of time with him for a few days.. in case he needs to adjust to me being here again... then on the weekend will take him out .. in the ensuite (with the toilet seat down!!.. and the sink plugged!!!). I dont have a bathroom in the flat however I an ensuite which hopefully wont be TOO small!! I think it will be okay for a first time though. Will see how I go!!!! Thanks for your advice!! Ensuite will be fine. You may want to cover the mirror ....they have a tendency to fly into windows and mirrors Now that's something I would not have thought of!! the mirror....and of course thats the first place he would hit!! THanks.. will hang a towel over it. luckily the window is very small so might put something in front of that as well (doesnt have a curtain so another towel might be the go). I just know he will love the bit of freedom and I'm even looking forward to it now!

Have checked out the recommended site.. find it very useful. I will try it when I come back from my break, I am away for 4 days (thurs to Monday.. and of course .. someone will be looking after them while I'm away..) so might wait till I'm back. I will then spend a fair bit of time with him for a few days.. in case he needs to adjust to me being here again... then on the weekend will take him out .. in the ensuite (with the toilet seat down!!.. and the sink plugged!!!). I dont have a bathroom in the flat however I have an ensuite which hopefully wont be TOO small!! I think it will be okay for a first time though. Will see how I go!!!! Thanks for your advice!!

This is about ME gaining confidence ... not the bird! I have had Charley for 5 weeks. He couldnt fly initially, I thought it was French Moult but I now think the breeder had clipped his wings and tail as they are now growing nicely. He is very tame when in the cage. I open the front right up and put both my hands in, he will eat from my hand and hop onto it.. he will also go from finger to finger as I put them in front of him, not without a rather gentle nibble though but I dont think there is any mallice in it, almost like he's just showing me who's boss (but I've got news for you Charley!!). Sometimes he flies onto my chest as I stand in front of the open cage, he then just sits there, not at all afraid. If I am away from the cage and call his name he sits up against the front or runs back and forth on the bottom, peering out over the top of the plastic "skirt". If i put my face up near the cage he will nibble gently at my nose, and gets that "i love you" look that I'm sure you all know. My question? I am nervous about letting him out of the actual cage at this stage. How do I know when he is ready and wont hurt himself flying around the room? I know to close curtains, shut doors, etc etc but am still afraid firstly that he will hurt himself hitting a wall or something, secondly that I wont be able to catch him. How do you know when he is ready? How do I know when I AM ready may be more to the point. SHould I wait longer? I dont want to ruin his tameness and confidence in me by letting him out too soon, perhaps getting hurt and then withdrawing. I know he loves me (he shows it) but at this stage only when he's in the cage. He's totally content IN the cage, plays constantly with his toys (sometimes I have to force him to settle down for the night by covering the cage and turning off the light or he would play all night!). He does sometimes hang on to the perch and flap his wings like CRAZY!! does this mean he wants out or is it just his way of exercising... much like we get on a treadmill perhaps... go like crazy and getting nowhere!! ??? WOuld really appreciate some advice!!!

How can you not love budgies. For years i lived without a pet here in my little flat.. then the kids bought me budgies.. first one, she's not at all tame.. she's lovely but i have to keep my distance or she freaks out. ... then I fell in love with Charley. I dont know how I survived so long without a pet. Charley is everything to me. I have had him for approx 3 weeks and have found a lot of useful information on your site on feeding, training etc. I decided to give him a little extra container in which I put some grated carrot and sprigs of broccoli. I know he's inquisitive and yes, within a few minutes he investigates. Pulls out each and every bit of carrot and broccoli.. some he puts in his water dish, the rest he puts on the floor of the cage. He didnt eat it.. just moved it around, pulled it all out of the little dish. Dish now suitably empty.. he's happy. .. job well done.. so now he hops into his water bowl for a bath. The bowl is much smaller than Charley is but he tries to jam himself into it to wet as much of himself as possible. So cute to watch! What I find so interesting is that two budgies can be so different. Max, the female, very neat, plays gently...but totally afraid of "people".. Charley the boy.. very messy, plays ROUGH, totally tame and friendly. I never get bored watching him, he is so inquisitive and checks out everything that might be new in his cage. I am now beginning to understand "bird people", the attraction to our little feathered friends and how something so small can create so much "love"!!

thanks for your reply. You may be right. He is looking so much better than two weeks ago and it even looks like he's beginning to grow tail feathers. he still has his flight feathers on the left (I'm hoping it wont fall out!) and they do look very healthy. the other side is also beginning to grow larger feathers. he does a lot of flying around the cage and stretching and flapping his wings now, almost as if he's proud of his "new look"!! Fingers crossed that they stay "on" and dont fall out!!!

As previously mentioned on this forum, Charley is a "runner" and has no flight feathers (or long tail feathers). What he lacks in feather, he makes up in mischiefnous (if there is such a word!) I have had Charley for only two weeks and will attach photos of him then... and now. To me it looks like he has grown a flight feather on his left side. Is this possible? Are they likely to fall out again or is it possible that he will grow flight feathers on one or both sides eventually? He is a lovely boy and will eat millet from my hand.. did this after only one week...however doesnt want to step onto my hand (yet). He doesnt bite, just nibbles if I hold him.. as I have had to do twice when he escaped from his cage. first Charley as he was two weeks ago.. http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x112/tm...arleyincage.jpg http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x112/tmkoroi/Charley1.jpg http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x112/tmkoroi/CIMG0184.jpg and these taken this afternoon.. first photo a bit "close" but i wanted to get the feathers in the shot.. http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x112/tmkoroi/CIMG0209.jpg http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x112/tmkoroi/CIMG0212.jpg I am interested to hear about the flight feathers if someone can give me some information on their possible regrowth? Also.. how old do you think he might be?

Gosh they're beautiful birds... so pretty and so tame. Congratulations, they are fabulous. I'm hoping my Charley becomes that tame.. he's already pretty and i'm in the process of getting him tame but he's not yet at the stage where I can let him out. He's a "runner" and has no flight feathers or tail feathers, although I noticed today one of his wings has a rather longish feather so maybe his flight feathers are in the process of growing back.. I wonder if this happens with a "runner" (if someone could let me know if this is a possibility? or if I'm just imagining things??).. I've had Charley for not quite 2 weeks and he'll eat millet from my hand so I'm hopeful he will be tame enough soon to take out of his cage when he willingly steps onto my finger (or hand)... Again though.. I find your birds very very pretty!!!! and so cute, talking to the leg of a chair!!!! Is it any wonder we fall so in love with them!!!

I'm amazed at how clever they are! the way he got out was through the door (as you say, lift up and swing out!).. but to reach it he had to sit IN his bowl..Now i've moved the bowl away from the door (meaning I have to get to it via the front door).. but he still gets IN the bowl and remembers thats how he got out.. just hasnt yet discovered that the door is no longer there. Its funny watching him sitting in it trying to find the latch again, and then he gets a little annoyed (I presume!) that he cant find it now!! Only a matter of a time before he realises the door is further along! He is trying to peck and push at anything else that even looks like it may have hinges though. He's still a little hesitant of my hand and doesnt want to step up however I find he will now eat from a millet spray when I hold it out to him. I think i'll make it "shorter" as he gets more confident with it so that eventually there is very little between my hand and the millet. He doesnt panic at all just shys away a little, he's easy to catch but I'm trying not to handle him as he obviously doesnt like that.

I will attach a photo of the cage... the temporary cage had wider bars which is why i bought this one. I am watching him as we speak.. he is trying to open all the didfferent doors which i now have pegged. I think its more that he's like your "Mickey".. he will keep trying to get out for the heck of it. He's very active and plays a lot with his toys. Its kind of like what he lacks in feathers to fly with, he makes up with extra energy!! I think also that the problem is now that he's managed to escape twice, he has gained that confidence that he can do it again. I can see its going to be a battle of wits!!! Wonder who will win!! the cage... http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x112/tmkoroi/CIMG0174.jpg Charley in the cage... http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x112/tm...arleyincage.jpg

Thanks Elly, so is newspaper print not a problem then? .. and by the way.. as I speak, Charley ("Houdini") got out of his cage again, this time he fluttered into his seed dish first, then must have lifted the little door upwards and outwards. I was sitting here on my bed typing merrily away (his cage is in the bedroom with me, to keep him away from the other cage with max, which is in the lounge)... and next minute I hear flutter flutter and there he is... he has no flight feathers so was not dificult to catch. I just calmly followed him around (he can get a little way off the ground) until he settled.. in the bathroom, then just gently picked him up and put him back.. yet again!! THought I had all bases covered!!! Too clever for his own good!!!

(LOUD)... WHAT??? I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I bought a new super cage for Charley during the week (as our little houdini was escaping from the temporary one) and it is great, it opens wide at the front, (two doors, one smaller within a larger door), and the top opens also, but I have a query re the floor. I have placed grit in the bottom tray and taken out the wire "floor". I did this because it looks more comfortable for him but I wonder if this is okay to do. The wire floor looks to ME uncomfortable to walk on, but then I'm no budgie! Am I correct in thinking that since there are perches and "branches" galore in the cage for his little feet, it would be nice for him to have a little bit of a "flat" floor to walk and forage on? Do you know what the reasoning is behind the wire floors? Is it merely for ease of taking out the tray for cleaning , i.e. so he doesnt squeeze out under the gap...or does it suit another purpose?