I have an 7 year old girl budgie, who recently started have midday naps, in her little round swing, resting her head on the side of the swing. She's still waking up bright and early every morning and announcing that the sun has risen again, but she's having naps on and off throughout the day. At first I thought it was pretty sweet that she's THAT comfortable, particularly because we just moved in with my boyfriend (he pretends he cants stand her, and then goes and buys her a really big brand new cage and every morning before he goes to work puts the radio on for her... but.... yeah.... he REALLY doesn't like her at all... :budgiedance: )

 

I'm just a bit concerned because its unusual for her. How old do budgies live for? She's not getting old is she? Other than napping she seems perfectly healthy and happy.

 

Also, she's had a cage to herself all her life, and now my boyfriend thinks it might be nice for her to have a friend... I think if she's lived happily for so long on her own she might feel a bit invaded if we put another budgie in with her?

 

ANY advice or guidance would be fabulous!

I'd say that she would quite enjoy an afternoon nap at her age. I have a budgie that is 14 years old (ancent for a budgie) and she sleeps about 90% of the day. she has a toy boy (2 year old male) who feeds her all her meals and preens her - It's really sweet to watch the bond they have.

 

If her poops are not runny or green. if she is not "fluffed-up" if she is still herself. i would say she is fine.

 

I dont know exactly how long a budgie lives for?? one of the others will know

Just consider her "middle aged" for a budgie. She is doing well with your love and care and your boyfriends care ( although he wont admit it ). Check her for signs as Liv has suggested....if all is well then she is just having her middle aged "nana naps" . If she has any signs of ill health, set your mind at ease and take her to a bird vet for a checkup.

If you do decided to get her a friend, you will need to quarantine the new friend for 30 days in a seperate cage and away from her. You can use your old cage for that.

Love to see photos of her when you can

 

Cheers Kaz

Welcome to the forums I see this is your first post.

I agree with the above stated. If you have pictures we would love to see your "extended" family.

I wondered about the sleeping habits of Budgies too ... I notice my 2 sleep several times a day. So this is OKAY ?

 

Do you think they sleep more in the winter ? I seem to see my birds sleeping allot more now that it seems darker & less sunny mostly. In the summer they were up & attem all day & into the late of the evening as it was still light.

Birds are driven by the the short days and the longer days (in the spring) you will find that they will be more active. This is all birds in the wild and in our homes. I find that Merlin is quieter especially on day that is not sunny and much more active on a sunny day. He also takes his naps more during the afternoon.

All my birds go into "nap mode" as I am leave for work (I get up @ 0530). And it is perfectly normal for them to nap throughout the day, my Mother (who lives downstairs) can hear them being silent. And then they go crazy when I get home. Happy, the budgie, who is about 10 or older, does certainly take more naps but she is first in line to bug the cockatiels when she is out! :budgiedance: They all seem to be LOUDER on a sunny day but take the same amount of naps.

Edited February 12, 200817 yr by Phoebe

Hi, welcome.

yeah, my two also takes naps throughout the day too

Mid morning "NAP TIME" at my place...........

 

 

PS older photos

Cute photos Kaz...

 

Mine nap all the time too. Below is is photo of my babies (it was taken about a year ago and they were not long out of the nest). It's the Beatles... John, Paul, George and Ringo having a nap together (some more so than others :budgiedance: )

 

SWEEEEEEEEEEET picture there Maesie. Love that !

 

Yes ... I do notice on sunnier days even in the winter, my 2 budgies go NUTS ! Loud & silly & more active. I love to see this.

Excellent photos!! I love the sight of a budgie "tucked up" under his wings. Why wont my two ever sleep that way?? Is it common that some budgies just dont tuck their little beaks away? perhaps their mum's never showed them how to? They are in separate cages in separate rooms so its not like they've learnt (not learnt?) from each other! They both just close their eyes and sleep.. i'd love them to "tuck up"!! Looks ever so cute!!!

Are you serious thk ? Your birds don't put their heads under their wing ?

 

I've had budgies my entire life & I've never seen them sleep any other way then with their heads under their wings.

 

It's strange the differences in our birds.

Great photos maesie and Kaz, your budgies look so cute all fluffy and sleepy like that :oliveb: .

Though I fail to see how sleeping with your head twisted around and tucked against your back could be comfy :oliveb: .

:oliveb: Bec, does your older budgie look REALLY OLD? I took Happy to the vet a year ago ( I believe she is ten years plus) as I was concerned. She looks even worse now but is first out of the cage to bug the tiels but she does take a lot of naps. Noticed her beak looking "wider" as well but she does avail herself of the cuttlebone and eats well and loves her vegetables. :oliveb:

Edited February 13, 200817 yr by Phoebe

LOOOOOVVVEEEE the sleepy photos!!!! VERY CUTE

Bec, does your older budgie look REALLY OLD? I took Happy to the vet a year ago ( I believe she is ten years plus) as I was concerned. She looks even worse now but is first out of the cage to bug the tiels but she does take a lot of naps. Noticed her beak looking "wider" as well but she does avail herself of the cuttlebone and eats well and loves her vegetables.

 

Huh?

I don't have an 'older budgie', my oldest budgies are around 18 months .

Are you serious thk ? Your birds don't put their heads under their wing ?

 

I've had budgies my entire life & I've never seen them sleep any other way then with their heads under their wings.

 

It's strange the differences in our birds.

 

Yep.. totally serious. Mine have never done it. I'm quite disappointed as I think it looks sooo cute!! I've tried to sneak a look when they're sleeping, covered or uncovered but nope!! heads just in a normal position!! Sad isnt it!!!???

Budgerigars are high energy birds and so will take little naps throughout the day to recharge the batteries.

Thinking about it I wouldnt mind takeing the odd nap myself , when the candle burns at both ends you have to recharge sometimes.

 Yep.. totally serious. Mine have never done it. I'm quite disappointed as I think it looks sooo cute!! I've tried to sneak a look when they're sleeping, covered or uncovered but nope!! heads just in a normal position!! Sad isnt it!!!??? :("

 

Yes thk ... totally sad. I love looking at them sleeping " TUCKED " maybe they will do it one day & you will freak out thinking " OH MY GOD ! MY BIRDS HEAD IS MISSING ! "

 

they are cute photos,my birds in my aviary sleep with their heads under their wings but my inside budgies dont.

they are cute photos,my birds in my aviary sleep with their heads under their wings but my inside budgies dont.

wow, that sounds odd

they are cute photos,my birds in my aviary sleep with their heads under their wings but my inside budgies dont.

wow, that sounds odd

 

 

The thought has often crossed my mind that maybe my (indoor) budgies dont sleep "tucked" in because perhaps they're feeling its too hot to do so?? .. do your budgies still tuck their heads in when the weather is hot???

 

I think with Charley though its a fear that he might MISS seeing something!!! he's very nosey!!!! He knows if he tucks his head away, in the time it takes to take his head "out" and turn it, something may very well have passed him by!!!

my birds in the aviary sleep tucked up even in the hot weather but the ones inside never sleep that way. i think my birds sound like Charley, they are in the loungeroom were my kids play and they do not like to miss whats going on.

Edited February 13, 200817 yr by deb

my birds in the aviary sleep tucked up even in the hot weather but the ones inside never sleep that way. i think my birds sound like Charley, they are in the loungeroom were my kids play and they do not like to miss whats going on.

 

I also think Charley's problem is that he's not fully "budgie" but part human. He's in the bedroom with me and has no real contact with other birds. He can hear Maxie in the other room but they have no contact.. I'm too worried he will lose his tameness and talking talent if they "meet", he seems happy this way, with just my company. He talks to everything, even the cage wire.. and especially the pegs. It still makes me laugh when he snuggles up to a peg saying "hello sweetie!! give us kiss!!" I love the way he scrambles his words up sometimes.. he'll say "Scrrrrrrratch my tummyy" (really emphasising the rrrrrrrr!!!) very clearly most times but then he'll come out with a "scrrrrrrrrrummmy!! Charley is a scrrrrrrumy tummy!!!" he's hilarious!!

 

Maxie is a lovely girl but is purely a budgie, very nervous of human contact and only ever chirps away to herself. I used to feel sorry for her so she has a mirror buddy now and seems happy with that.