Last week I lost my dear little budgie, Puff, to cancer. Puff lived just with us humans for the first couple of years we had him, but then he clearly became lonely for one of his own kind. We found a friend for him, Sunny, who has been his companion for the last 3 years. Sunny has never been the lone bird in the house, and we are concerned about how she will adapt. She is grieving the loss of her friend, so we are trying to make her feel as secure as possible. It has always been easy for me to be available when my birds need me because I work from home. Now, however, I may need to find office space, and it's unlikely that Sunny will be allowed in any leased area. I am considering what to do to keep her from being lonely. I'm not sure whether I want another budgie because I would like her to bond with me. (She was always bonded to Puff before.) I'd like to know your opinion about whether finches, in a separate cage of course, would provide her with enough companionship and entertainment. She loves to watch other birds outside. Thanks for any advice you can offer. Cathy

Why not another budgie in a separate cage? Train the new one too and then they can come out for play time. I struggled with the idea of getting Blinkie a friend because i was scared he would bond to it but i went ahead anyway and now i got 2 budgies who love and interact with me but keep each other happy when i'm not around.

I think they would be good for her. Finches are definitely entertaining to watch, so they would surely keep her occupied. I don't how much companionship they'd provide, but she will have you for that.

I think they would be good for her. Finches are definitely entertaining to watch, so they would surely keep her occupied. I don't how much companionship they'd provide, but she will have you for that.

 

 

Thanks for the reply. I'm going to see how she does over the next few weeks. Frankly, Sunny has kind of a strange little personality. She didn't get along with her cage-mates when she was at the breeders, and she couldn't be in the same cage with the one we just lost, although she had to be close by. Those two got into it a lot--oh, the birdie swear words I heard! She wants someone around, but it has to be from a distance and on her terms. She loves to dominate, so that's why I thought of the finches--they will entertain her and won't take it personally when she bosses them around! (Laughing out loud)

Well, a question I can answer.

 

Do not mix finches and budgies. The finches will most get hurt by the budgies. Generally speaking, when budgies are kept in the same cage as finches, the finches lose toes and get pecked by the budgies. Even side by side cages can be dangerous as the budgies will grab whatever they can through the cage bars. I'm sure someone has done this and had it work, but odds are not good.

 

My opinion is to not have the finches in with the budgie. If you do want the finches around, a separate cage out of reach of any budgie (or other parrot) is a must.

Edited September 28, 200618 yr by Lisachromis

Another budgie in a separate cage (and maybe eventually sharing a cage) would be the best idea. Your budgie would probably like watching finches but it still wouldn't be nearly the same as having another budgie to interact with, even from a seperate cage. Take some time and let her grieve. Bond with her as much as she'll allow (she may not be entirely interested in you for a very long time whether or not she gets a budgie companion). When you're both ready, you can add a budgie. Tame the new budgie during quarantine and develop a strong bond. One tame budgie often helps tame another so it might actually help your relationship in the end.

Another budgie in a separate cage (and maybe eventually sharing a cage) would be the best idea. Your budgie would probably like watching finches but it still wouldn't be nearly the same as having another budgie to interact with, even from a seperate cage. Take some time and let her grieve. Bond with her as much as she'll allow (she may not be entirely interested in you for a very long time whether or not she gets a budgie companion). When you're both ready, you can add a budgie. Tame the new budgie during quarantine and develop a strong bond. One tame budgie often helps tame another so it might actually help your relationship in the end.

 

Thanks very much for your reply. It was particularly helpful to hear that she may not be entirely interested in me for a very long time, if ever. Right now she really doesn't want to do much at all. Poor little thing! In answer to the other writer, no, I would never put finches in with a budgie!! That was never my intention. The idea was to let her admire from afar because she does like watching other birds. The more active they are, the more interested she seems. We'll take your advice and give her some time. Thanks again.

Last week I lost my dear little budgie, Puff, to cancer. Puff lived just with us humans for the first couple of years we had him, but then he clearly became lonely for one of his own kind. We found a friend for him, Sunny, who has been his companion for the last 3 years. Sunny has never been the lone bird in the house, and we are concerned about how she will adapt. She is grieving the loss of her friend, so we are trying to make her feel as secure as possible. It has always been easy for me to be available when my birds need me because I work from home. Now, however, I may need to find office space, and it's unlikely that Sunny will be allowed in any leased area. I am considering what to do to keep her from being lonely. I'm not sure whether I want another budgie because I would like her to bond with me. (She was always bonded to Puff before.) I'd like to know your opinion about whether finches, in a separate cage of course, would provide her with enough companionship and entertainment. She loves to watch other birds outside. Thanks for any advice you can offer. Cathy

 

Last year we had two beautiful gouldian finches, Lou and Lulu as well as two budgies, Booboo and Bobby. Poor Bobby died suddenly of a respiratory illness then not long after Lulu the finch died so we were left with a budgie and a finch. They ended up providing good company for each other with Booboo getting out of the cage and visiting with Lou on top of his cage. Lou was a very intelligent little finch and would also get out his cage and would visit with Booboo and sit on top of her cage (see picture). Once they got out of their cages at the same time and just stood there like two little statues waiting for the other to make a move.. unfortunately I didn't get a picture. Poor Lou also suddenly passed away in January of this year. Booboo was on her own for a few months and then we bought another budgie.

 

Edited October 13, 200618 yr by Eily