birdgirl

I know, but her descrption says you can put a bird in it. I dont believe finches should be put in it, no bird should have to live in that! And she listed it in the Pets section, rather it should just have been listed under Collectables.

Look at this horrific thing i found on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Bird-Cage-Mahogany-...%3A1|240%3A1318 Thankfully no one will probably buy it at that price but imagine putting a poor bird in that!!

How did the other one break its neck?

Sorry to bring up an old thread but I have a few questions. Most of what I've read says that budgies in the wild mainly feed on grasses such as Spinifex, Mitchell's and Tussock. Can one actually plant 'patches' of different grasses in the garden at home? I imagine many of these grasses are suited to particular climates so trying to grow something on the coast that is native to the centre of Australia would be a challenge. As far as plants go, do they actually eat from the same plants as other parrots do? Does anyone have any information/links about natural feeding habits of budgies in terms of plants and not just grasses? Thanks

I may just do that :budgiedance: Well, I have spent 20 minutes cutting up vegetables and fruit this morning for her, put it in the cage but she will not come out from the back of the cage behind a mirror i put in. She is a nervous wreck. If I put my hand in the cage she flutters like mad. I was hoping she would be the type to sit on my finger and be a happy little budgie. Though I'm more upset about her not eating all that fresh food i just put in that i will have to take out soon!

Thanks, but there are none on the central coast there.

Thanks Trish, I had forgotten about that site. Unfortunately the 2 budgies listed on the page you linked to are in the ACT and Orange, too far from me. I will keep checking that site though, I am determined to 'rescue' more birds

Plant some native grasses for the budgies To attract wild native birds go for grevillias, banksias, bottlebrush, wattle trees etc. Like others said, buy a book as there are literally thousands of plants and trees that birds love. A bit of info: http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s2195321.htm

I saw someone mention that some breeders sell their 'bad birds' to pet shops. I assume that meant unhealthy ones etc. I feel sorry for those birds. I dont know, but if i were breeding animals I would not be able to put them in a pet shop situation. It does show that the breeder does not care for the welfare of that bird, as they know it will be considerably unhappy in a pet store situation plus then sold to someone who is likely to have little knowledge of the proper care of birds (as mentioned, most sales in pet shops are impulse buys). One has to ask whether euthanasia is a kinder fate for these 'extra' birds, rather than being palmed off to a pet shop. My quote about buying 'bad birds' is simply a quote from something said in this thread - I dont believe there are any bad birds However i will be interested in buying budgies that breeders dont class as show birds, aren't sought after by other buyers or the ones who might even end up in the pet shop. If anyone (in Sydney up to Newcastle) has any that suit now drop me a line. I might as well start quarantining soon so that this little one is not on her own for too long.

Great idea, often breeders have birds that are older etc. They prefer them to go to homes where they wont be bred. On that note, will my little girl be okay on her own for 1-2 months? I feel kinda bad, she is calling out to the budgies she can hear in my neighbours yard. Right now she doesn't want to be handled by me so she is flying solo at the moment

I'm not so sure that Budgies fall into the unwanted category, not where I am from anyway, almost everyone I know has a bird of some type and loves them! I dont think there are rescue centres as such because there doesn't need to be. With the exception of Parrots and Cockatoo's however because when people get them they don't realize how much attention they need! Yes definitely, cockatoos, Macaws and larger birds are often abused and abandoned. In the US they have rescue centres for parrots. There are a couple of small ones in Australia but its not as well established as overseas. I know of some budgies kept in bad conditions but since they are 'low maintenance' birds, people dont give them up, they just let them suffer. So you are right, it is difficult to 'rescue' a budgie the same way you could a cockatoo. Well when the time comes to buy more I shall stake out some breeders and ask them to sell me their 'bad' birds :star: Yes thats true KAZ!

I know Im talking to breeders here so Im the odd one out...but... :star: There are just so many 'unwanted' birds out there, I prefer to rescue rather than breed more. Not that I know where to rescue budgies from, there seems to be a lack of bird rescue centres in Australia. All my pets are a result of rescues rather than buying for the sake of having a certain type, look or personality. In fact I have never paid for an animal, they were either found or given to me. Anyway, for now I have one little budgie who doesnt really like me much yet so she is going to keep me busy for some time to come! :rofl:

I dont believe in 'the best' animals. Each animal deserves to live. I do see what you're saying in that I may have added expense and issues. I would never buy a cat or dog from a pet shop as i know where they come from and dont want to support that trade. I also wouldnt buy a bird from the majority of pet shops, but PetBarn seem to know what they are doing better than most.

No name yet hehe. I am known to take weeks to pick a name for my pets! :star: I realise pet shop birds may have issues. But i look at it in the light of these birds deserve a loving home, not a barren cage. They seemed healthy enough. I just want to help them.

I can not find any signs of an avian vet on the NSW Central Coast. I am talking anywhere from Woy Woy right up to Lake Macquarie (I live in the middle). The closest I can find is Carlingford which is nearly 100km from me. I hope there is one here that someone knows about!