Neva

Thank you to the people who gave me good advice recently, about my budgie Mickey, who was displaying obsessive behaviour, since his mate died. I took the mirror out of the cage, as you advised, even though I felt mean that I was taking his only 'friend' away. But it worked great in the long run. He behaving like his old self again, his beak has healed and hasn't bled for ages, and he seems really happy with his other toys, and has now bonded more strongly with me than ever before. At the moment he is sitting beside me as I'm typing! He likes to snooze on my finger and on my head in the evenings, which is a really nice experience for me, as when I had the 2 birds they were very bonded to each other and didn't really like to be handled. So even though I'm not willing to get him another budgie friend (due to his health problems) at least I feel like he's enjoying life again.

Hi everyone, I took his mirrors and shiny toys out last night, and replaced them with a whole heap of other toys. He didn't get too upset, he took a lot of interest in checking out the new stuff in his cage. Although one of the things I put in the cage was Maxy's old yellow fluffy 'igloo', and he's been sitting on it and pecking at it for aaaages, just like he used to with his mirrors! Poor little thing, he's just so obsessive! I guess if he keeps at it I might take that one out too. Although at least the igloo is soft and wont hurt his beak! I have a great DVD to leave on for him while we're at work - you've probably heard of it - it's called "The bird sitter", very cute!

Its good to have you here Neva Welcome :glare:I found some pics - can you pls tell me if this works okay?<a href="http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk105/nv01/?action=view&current=Mickey.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk105/nv01/Mickey.jpg" border="0" alt="mickey"></a> thanks I'll give it a go...I have some pretty cute pics to share!Actually, I think these will work better...http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk105/nv01/Mickey.jpghttp://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk105/nv01/MickeyandMax.jpg

thanks I'll give it a go...I have some pretty cute pics to share!

Wow, thanks for the quick replies! Yes, unfortunately Mickey is home alone a lot during the day, which is why I originally got 2 budgies. But I think I'll still try removing the mirrors/shiny toys as you've suggested, even though I feel a bit mean that I'm taking away his 'friends'! Might be kinder in the long run. Baby budgie idea is a good one too. I have lots of pics of mickey and maxy, on my laptop at work though. I'll send some next week! Although sorry to sound stoopid, but how DO you post images on these sites? Maybe I'll go and search the help menu now :glare:

Hi! I'm new to this site, and I've joined hoping to get some advice about my budgie. His name is Mickey, he's a 4 year old male. The problem is that his behaviour has become very strange over the past few months. He's always been a bit 'special' - he can't fly and I think he's not the sharpest tool in the shed (but he's very sweet!). I originally had 2 budgies - but my female "Maxy" died mid last year (sniff). Mickey has always loved mirrors, even when Maxy was around. But since she died, he has become totally obsessed with mirrors, or any other shiny toys. He sits on the ground of the cage and just pecks and pecks at his mirrors until his beak bleeds (I've had him at the vets several times to try and repair his beak). He no longer takes any interest in us (humans, or our dogs). I know budgies are flock animals and can be lonely on their own. I don't want to remove his mirrors or toys, as I think he'd be miserable when we're out at work. But I also don't think getting another budgie would work, even though Maxy grew up with him she could still be quite aggressive towards him, as he probably seems pretty weak (not being able to fly and a bit dopey!). I think another budgie might just beat him up a lot. I thought about getting another bird in a separate cage nearby, but then he'd just glue himself to the side of the cage closest to the other bird and obsess over it until I put them in together. I don't know what to do, as I think he's not very happy. I was thinking perhaps I could find someone who would like to rehome an older or equally 'special' budgie (maybe one that can't fly either), and put him/her in with Mickey? Any other suggestions much appreciated. Thanks!