studiobird

he has a little coffin all decorated in orange. Miss T asked me to draw a picture of Twitter on the box so I did... and she coloured him in black. She keeps telling us that "Twitter has gone home" When I asked where was home she replied "Down the street and around the corner" Bless 3 year olds. I feel terrible for having not checked him in the morning. If I had, I might have noticed sooner. His Cage is near a window and we had forgotten to put his covers on overnight. I usually do it last thing at night, and Miss T usually wakes him up and has a conversation with him and talk time... I forget that he was just a baby - he seemed like he'd been a part of us for always. Miss T is already asking for a new bird. Might hold her off for a little bit. Though, the house seems remarkably quiet at the moment. My smoke detector is beeping at me occasionally and I think it is Twitter, and then I have to do a double take... *sigh* I hate loosing pets...

Twitter bird, sleeping so sweetly on the bottom of the cage. The horror as I found you on the bottom of the cage. Miss T standing next to me, shielding her from the facts. Brought you downstairs to tell her that you had left us... that you had died. The pain as I watched her heart break. I don't know what happened. Where you too cold? Was there something wrong? Only yesterday you were giving me kisses! You had food, you had water, you had room, you were singing and squawking having a grand old time. Why did you go? We are all heartbroken. Tara is colouring your coffin box as we speak. I don't know where you are going to go though... we don't have a yard to bury you in. Why did you have to leave?

I really love sootie's designs. they are so classic and classy!

looking forward to watching this come along!

does your camera have a video option?

Oh my goodness they are PURDY! A Cobalt something cock (Iridescent bright blue that graduated to dark blue tail - white tipped feathers on wings) A Lutino hen (yellow with white cheeks?) A Grey cock Wow. They were stunning. The Cobalt cock had paired himself with a young yellow/green pied hen (with white cheeks and funny eyes) and would attack any other that came near. The young budgies were in a bit of a panic with the bigger ones There was one stunning pied blue spangle? (could be pulling that out of the whaaaazooo !) that was beautiful - very young - lots of stripes on his head, with a big white splodge on the back of his head.... Anyway, the big ones were rung. One was black, and one was possibly blue? though that could have just been lighting and angles and they could have all been black!) I was just awed to see them! (oh, they were in a pet store)... they were really really impressive!

I know it is not birds, but in the Rat and Mouse club we do not recommend shavings for cages or nesting (or show tanks) because they contain phenols that are really strong - especially for new born sensitive respiratory systems. In rats it can often cause Mycoplasma Pulmosis to develop early, and secondary infections are then given a chance to take hold. We use recycled paper cat litter.

Just for the record, the red will stain as well, so even if you get it the paint off the dye in the paint will dye natural fibers (ie: feathers)

Tonight Twitter and I have had some quality fun time on the couch. Cuddling, singing, playing... And learnt a new trick! Twitter now gives me kisses! I make a kiss kiss sound and he gives me a kiss (provided I put my face nearby). he even started climbing up my front to give me a kiss if he was sitting on my tummy. He's so sweet! Little cheeky bugger likes aiming for my nose ring though (but soon learnt that did not give him a click or treat!)

I would love to see a video of them! great shot!

Have you seen the Gay penguins in Germany who are now raising a chick? Birds are wonderful!

I love the white/blue bird at the top of the tub and photo.... what type bird is that? it is beautiful! There is also a turquoise/aqua tinted bird that I love too... oooh. sooo many purdy burdies.

Well, I thought I would do some videos! here is one... and here is the other... Enjoy! (sorry.. not sure if I should embed them or not! not that I know how!)

Quick question. after going through lots of topics here with Ivermectin in the thread I was wondering if it is the only treatment to use for birds? In the Rat and Mouse Club we also have issues with Mites, sometimes worms, lice too - and we require our members to treat for these ailments. We used to recommend using Ivermectin (Oral mainly - used a horse based past and fed with toothpick, or Sheep Oral from vet), but now we actually recommend our members use Revolution/Advantage/Advocate/Frontline etc instead. Members use a tube for their colonly and use a needleless syringe to place on the scruff of the neck. So why do you use Ivermectin exclusively, is it the only one safe for birds?

Awwwh. sorry to hear this.

I've just seen a photo of baby rattlets in the photo comp and I would like to know who you are - and I think our members would like to know too!! Please PM me?

Oh Elly, I will - but how do I choose! hahaha!!! *gasp* I love the one with Tara and love the one with his head cocked decisions decisions

Cross Posted on Talk Budgies I'll spare you a commentary just enjoy the luuuurve (this one below is more his true colours) (also more like his true colours) Teaching Twitter about the important things in life, like fluro orange nailpolish! My child has an amazing affinity with animals... they just adore her.

With Rats and Mice breeding (for shows) it is possible to sex and tell eye colour at hours old if you know what you are looking for. Black eyes show through, red eyes/ruby eyes show a little and pink eyes you cannot tell. An experienced hand will also be able to tell male and female immediately out of the nest.

Yeah, I'm very weary about the over bonding, which is why I don't re-inforce his squarking when we leave the room. I only got back to him when he's quiet I made that mistake with the old dog I would have left him alone too normally, he was showing off by climbing on hands, so we just sat with him for a while. We only ever have him out for 5 mins at a time in long separated time slots. I'll have a look at the bird clicker yahoo group, but I *hate* yahoo groups (even if I am a few of them!) because I just don't follow them. They drive me batty - but I'll check it out. I've already got a target ready, and will introduce that in about a week or so once he is fully settled. The step up is actually his automatic behaviour, and doesn't get any rewards for it. My dog used to beg for rewards by spinning obsessively. Lucky for me (or Twitter!) I screwed the dog's training up He's asleep now... I love baby budgies sleeping. love their little eyes closed.. I would love to see more on Squee and Milly's adventures!

I think we lucked out when we got Twitter. He's PERFECT. Sure, I'll admit it, he's not the colour we were looking for - but he is seriously the BEST personality we could have have found. We got the lottery, and he is definitely the bird that was meant to be ours. We have had him for just over 24 hours. He's finger ladder trained Chatters back if you chatter to him Complains if you leave the room for too long sits on your lap eats millet spray from your hands and fingers Is already understanding click/reward and will step up onto my daughters fingers from mine. He is loooooovely. So so lovely. I thought I would chronicle his training, inspired by Squee's adventures too. I plan on getting a new clicker since I cant find my old one (currently using a pen) Hoping to make him a playgym this weekend

He's obsessed with his swing. It's like his safe spot. He does anything to sit back on it... It is so cute. He was singing while I made dinner, chortling away. I have him tucked up and tucked in, but he's singing at me to pay attention! My hubby came down and looked at me and said .... It's little girls bird... right? we got it for the girl.....? grinning coyly at me. Doh. Busted. I am sure I will let her touch it occasionally and Ta about the Mirror! Will take it out!

Oooh.. no mirrors? we went out specifically to get one doh! does it cause obsessiveness? I'm already trying to remember if I have a spare clicker left over from when I was training my old dog... or using it as an excuse to get a new one.. ha!

Oh, we should clip the last one? They did it for us, and will do it again for free (though I don't see me taking a bird BACK to a pet store to get clipped... not very safe for quarantine is it?)... is it wise me just clipping the last feather, or should I take it down to the avian vet (who is just around the corner) I am quite sure it's a He... the purple/creamy cere melts into a fine blue hue around the nostrils, but the others were all hens and were more white/pinkish around the nostrils... We are just letting him have some time in his cage getting used to the smells and sounds and sites of the house. I'll sew him a special cover for night time to keep warm too... might line it with flannelet to keep him warm and toasty... and cotton will give better ventilation. Are bird hammocks/cubbies good for birds, or should he have a box...? somewhere to hide? we have one he could get in, but It might be too small, so I was thinking of giving him something a bit more snugglie Now to search the forum about making toys!