melbournebudgies

Maybe the photo is the problem. Are her eyes deep red?

The wing colour obviously looks brownish on my screen and greyish on Libby's screen , What's the verdict Denise

Didn't even notice the eys

I would say chick 3 is a grey green cinnamon

If the pale violet is on her runp as well she is probably a fallow.

The bark is fine.

I have a couple of journal articles saved on my desktop about supplementation of the diet of budgies. They probably aren't much use to those with only a couple of birds but if any of the serious breeders would like a copy PM me your email. They are: Dietary Glycine: Its Importance in Growth and Development of the Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) 1. E. JEAN TAYLOR,2 HELEN M. R. HOTT AND KAY E. EARLE Investigations on feathering, feather growth and potential influences of nutrient supply on feathers regrowth in small pet birds (canaries, budgerigars and lovebirds) By P. Wolf, N. Rabehl and J. Kamphues

Not surprising when you think about it. There are different types and levels of oils and different textures present in all eucalypts. I try to get a few different varieties when I collect for my birds. I can recommend lemon scented gum which is commonly planted in nature strips, etc as it doesn't get too massive. It can be easily distinguished by a lemony smell and is also nice if crushed in the hands and added to a pot of tea while it steeps (especially if you have a cold) It is fast growing, and low in tannins, etc just as suggested by the author of that study. The leaves are also not too tough which my birds seem to avoid......good find Neat

:Sigh: No news... I have been able to see the babies moving in the eggs so short of any disasters they are definately fertile. Should be today or tomorrow for the first one.

Females tend to squawk more while males tend to 'sing' (quorral).

Never knew that, thanks Maesie :hap:, you learn something new every day

Also a tip to make it easier while you are threading the wire. A few long cable ties will hold the mesh in place while you wire it on and can be removed after

All mine do it. I think it is just them grinding their beaks.

They will enjoy tearing the bark off and chewing the leaves and have a great time. I just break small branches off and change them every couple of days.

On another note though don't let them eat too many sunflower seeds as they are high in fat which can cause problems.

If you must use dowel perches then it would be advisable to have them in atleats two different sizes. I would imagine the square theory is the same- to excercise their feet. I would still advise natural branches if possible though.

That is from an American source which doesn't include our Aussie plants so of course you can also include any of the Eucalypts, Acacias, Grevilleas, etc in there. I have lots of botany books here so if you find one you aren't sure about and you know what it is PM me and I'll see if there is anythin in my notes about it :hap:

Karthik, check out the post about Jacaranda trees from Rah, I ust posted a list of bird safe plants including some trees. Some may be accessible in your area.

My botany notes list it as 'attracting birds' which would seem to suggest that it is safe for them ;)Here you go, bird safe flowers: ;)AcaciaAnise (Pimpinella anisum)African Tulip Tree (Spathodea campanulata)Apple blossum (Malus domestica)Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)Basil (Ocimum basilicum)Bee balm (Monarda)Borage blossoms (Borago officinalis)Bottlebrush (Callistemon spp.)Calendula (Pot Marigold) (Calendula officinalis)Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus) Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)Chives (allium schoenoprasum)Coriander/cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)DaisesDandelion (Taraxacum)Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.)Dill (Anethum graveolen)Elderberry (Sambucus spp.)EucalyptusFennel (Foeniculum vulgare)Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides)Garlic (Allium sativum L.)GladiolusGrapefruit (Citrus x paradise)HibiscusHoneysuckle (Lonicera)ImpatiensJarcaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia)Kumquat (various Fortunella species)Lilac (Oleaceae Syringa) Lime (Citrus aurantifolia)Lemon (Citrus × lemon)Milk thistle (Silybum species)Melalecuca (Melaleuca quinquinervia)Nasturtiums Orchid tree (Bauhinia verigata)Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)Orange (Citrus sinensis)Oregano (Origanum vulgare)Pansies (Viola tricolor)Passion flowers (Passifloraceae Passiflora)Petunia (Petunia spp.)Plum (Prunoideae Prunus)Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo or Cucurbita mixta)Roses/Rose hips (Rosoideae Rosa)Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)Runner Beans (Phaseolus coccineus)Sage (Salvia officinalis)Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)Thyme (Lamiaceae Thyme)Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo.)Violets (Violaceae Viola)

Just different cages for different needs. Every cage type has a purpose depending on what you plan to do with the cage. As a bird keeper you may only have one type or you may have some of all of them.I have an aviary, a 'patio aviary'(like a small aviary on wheels), and a collection of smaller cages which I guess would fall into the categories of stock and breeding cages. They are mostly what I would class as 'pet bird' cages but I have ust built some timber ones too.

Karthik if you can tell me what types of trees you have in your area I might be able to advise a little bit. I have a double major in Botany at uni so I might be able to find some info for you.

I saw a craft clip on a kids show my boys watch a while ago on making those light switch covers yourself. They were very easy, I might give it a go with them as those ones look great.

Do you sprinkle them on vegies , put hem in water mix in seed or simply serve in a dish? I am crushing them in a morter and pestal so they ar reasonably fine but I don't think they would dissolve completely in water. Also how long do you microwave them for?

As long as they have the choice whether to eat it or not I can't see any reason not to introduce it whenever you like. The seeds you liste are present in most standard mixed budgie seeds so they certainly aren't an unusual part of a budgie diet around here.

You could also try having the mixed dish in there but also putting a dish with just the new seeds in it. Makes it easier to keep track of whether they are warming to the idea but the still have access to their usual seed until thy are used to the new stuff. When you start to see husks i the dish with only new seeds you will know for sure that they are starting to eat it and how much.