I had never really had much of an interest in owning a bird. My parents bought 2 budgies when I was around 8, but they really didn't have much interaction with us. They loved each other more than us (Laughing out loud). I then had zebra finches at about 15, but they don't really make the best hands-on pets. I really took an interest in getting a bird once I got my job. I work at a pet resort and bird sanctuary. I take care of many large parrots (macaws, cockatoos, african grays, amazons) that have either been abused or could no longer be cared for by their former owners. After I began caring for them, I decided that I really wanted a bird of my own. I wanted something that I could bond with, but not something as large as a parrot. So I thought a budgie would make the the perfect pet bird. And I believe I chose right. I haven't had my Scooter for very long, but I already love him. He's so sweet and I'm really enjoying my time with him

 

So what made you decide that a budgie was the right bird, or pet, for you?

I hadn't been big on birds for most of my life, but had an assortment of cockatoos, galahs, a kestrel over the years growing up. I met my boyfriend, now husband and he had some rosellas in an aviary. He sold the babies and then the parents and had an empty aviary. I said I liked budgies...they were cheerful, happy birds....affectionate and sweet. Their sounds were pleasant.

He said" There's not enough meat on their bones !" Then. one day he said..."go on....fill the cage full of budgies"....so I did in bigger and better aviaries. Now I have about 200 budgies with babies and it makes life very busy and very interesting. I couldn't do without them

I got a budgie at first because it was what my parents thought would be a good "cheap" beginners pet. Well now i just love them for their gorgeous little personalities. My parents are still of the opinion that a $20 dollar budgie shouldn't need $100 vet fees and stuff but i continue to explain that they're worth every cent.

I was given a small 'caring for your budgie' type book after my granddad died and after reading it over a few times wanted one myself to train and bond with. Of cuase that first one wasn't so tame :(Laughing out loud): but I still loved the cheeky nature of them. Now I can't picture not having one.

We had one when I was little but it flew away when I was 5, I have always wanted another one ever since! I wanted a budgie that talked - now I can't get him to shut up hehe!! :(Laughing out loud):

 

I am addicted to them now and want an avairy full of them - thanks to this site!f

When I was about 8 i wrote a letter to my grandpa asking 'pretty please can I have a budgie?' I don't know why but i never got one then hehehe.

 

So about 17 years later i went out and bought myself a gorgeous little guy I called Buddy! He was awesome the best pet I had ever had. He was such a chatterbox!! He used to make up his own sentences with the words he knew. He was so clever. My shadow. He used to always come outside with me but this one day he just flew away. I cried for a week. So we had to fill the hole that lil buddy left so that is why we have Chucky now. Hehehe She is too gorgeous.

 

Well having one budgie led to having 4 budgies and now I have 17 budgies and I wouldn't have it any other way. They always look so happy. Little clowns with wings.

We bought Stitch as a first pet for the kids, it's worked well teaching them how to care for a pet, feeding, cleaning etc as well as being a great playmate and companion. They're so proud of him when he repeats something they've taught him.

 

I've always been a dog type person but my hubby had a few budgies when he was young, I couldn't see how a budgie could be as fun as a dog but he definitely is, surprisingly so.

 

Little clowns with wings is a good description

I had 2 cockatiels when I was younger and I was longing for another one but we decided on 1 budgie because of the size cage I had and because they less messy and not as noisy. Then I started to read and found this site got addicted not long to Pretty the budgie but the forum and fate happened and Merlin came along.

I have always loved birds! When I was little, my mum went nuts every time we went to the market place in the nearest town (I grew up in a smaller village). I wasn't interested about the stuff that they were selling there, I only wanted to watch the doves running and flying around. (I guess I'm like that nowadays too.)

 

My friend next door got an old budgie from some of her relatives. I was around 10 at that time, and we were told that the budgie was too. The bird was left alone after his company died, and the family did not have much time to be with him. So we started to learn how to take care of him. The bird was really tame and we were so bonded to him! After a few years he unfortunately died in my friends hands. He had become sick and he fell off the perch. When my frien took him from the cage, he just lied on her hand and took his last breath...

 

After my friends budgie died, I started asking my parents if I could have a bird of my own. They wouldn't let me, 'cos I'm a little allergic (to pollen a lot- to cat a little). I was mad at that time but I understand my parents now. All this time I've been dreaming about my own bird, and now after 14 years I got them! I had 14 years time to think if birds are good pets for me. I had a lot of time to settle down and to collect information about budgies.

I never had birds before. What I had as pets were fish, a rat (my brother's), and a dog--not all at the same time. Just as we were growing up. Anyway, at my apt complex we can have birds. I wanted parakeets for some reason. I think partly because they are so danged adorable! (Laughing out loud)

My brother bought the two I have for me for my birthday this year. So I didn't pick them out. Turned out he picked a good pair as they have bonded and love their Momma. I had to do a lot of learning about these birds, but it has been worth it. They are great company, they are funny, and it seems when living with me they are home.

:ausb: My parents had a few over the years and 2 of them were better talkers than I now have, go figure!

I have always loved budgie chatter (when they aren't doing that cccchhhh thingee). When I am having a bad day they are so happy and cheery when I come home! Have been involved with Wildlife Rescue for about 12 years or so now but didn't realize that domestic birds were at such risk. Now give donations to/support/rescue such birds. I don't think a lot of people choose to be ignorant about birds but then they get them and don't know what to do about them. :ausb:

We decided to buy a budgie because I have a little bit of experience with them and I wasn't prepared to buy our children a cat or dog. I bought a book before buying Bluey and my 11 year old son read it and quizzed each other about how to care properly for a budgie. I suppose I envisaged this being exactly the same as my first budgie, but it is so different and so much more enjoyable.

 

When I was growing up my family always had an animal or two - fish that sometimes jumped out of the indoor tank, rescued dogs that used to jump or wee on visitors, a cat with half a tail that brought home someone else's pet bunny and babies. Mum was livid!

 

My Dad always had a veggie patch and birds in the yard too. Chickens were kept for their eggs and the dinner table. One year we incubated chicken eggs at school and dad let me bring home a rooster because no-one else wanted him. Guess where he ended up within 6 months? Oh and one year we had trout in the swimming pool!

 

Anyway, my main interest was in helping my Dad with the budgies, canaries and quails. I used to check them all after school. One time I rescued a beautiful yellow baby in a nestbox from his own mother and hand-reared him. I don't even remember what I fed him. Dad just organised it all.

 

Beautiful was a fabulous talker and also did a couple of tricks. Now I realise he eventually went mad from being kept in an ordinary cage without toys because my mother didn't want him flying around the house. My parents told me to release him when he started biting all the time and regurgitating on everything. I realise he probably didn't survive.

 

So, here we are with Bluey. I am still learning every day and this site has taught me so much.

I had a couple of budgies as a teenager (rehomed from my Nan). But I wasn't really into them then. It wasn't until December 05 that my mom's budgies had a little baby. It was a shock because we thought they were the same sex. Anyway, watching the baby develop was the most amazing thing.

 

I decided to get a pair in January with the hopes of breeding them. But in the process of researching budgies and joining this forum, I realized that they were likely siblings and I couldn't breed them. So I then got two more. And then two more, and so on. Now I have 13. I have learned a lot about mutations and have tried to choose a variety of birds to get the outcomes I desire. (My YF2 spangle )

 

I won't be breeding for profit and I'm prepared to keep any and all babies I might have if I can't rehome to suitable owners. My budgies are spoiled, live in a huge indoor flight cage, have tons of toys, healthy food choices, etc. They give me so much pleasure and after a stressful work day, I just sit in the room with them and listen to them chatter, or watch them play in their tree.

 

I'm anxious for winter to arrive so I have a few pairs that are old enough. I will start with one pair. Here's hoping they can produce a successful clutch! I'll be sure to share the journey with you all.