Posted March 15, 200817 yr Hi Guys, This is my first post on the forum, but I thought I'd introduce you to my partner and I new addition: Janus. My father used to be a budgie breeder (about 14 years ago), and tells me this bird is about 3months old. I asked the pet shop what sex it might be, but unfortunately she said I'll have to wait for the cere to change colour to find out. My dad tells me he thinks it's male. Anyway, the main problem with my little Janus is that he seems a little shy... I haven't trained a young budgie in over 10 years, as my last budgie, Oscarian, recently passed away 2 weeks ago (and she lived until she was almost 11 years old - I'm thinking about writing an obituary in the appropriate section when I get some more time). Little Janus seems to take a liking to hiding in the darkest corner whenever he's outside his cage. This could be under my shirt, or a pillow, or as in the photo below, up my the leg of my partners shorts. He doesn't seem very interested in the toys in his cage, even though we don't have many in there at the moment. His cage is approximately 45cm x 30cm x 45cm. The toys he has is a little lantern with a bell inside, olympic rings with a bell on the bottom, and a swing with a bell. However, he won't even go on the swing unless I place him there. He bites quite a bit, and quite hard.. Although he's improving with that too as we've been playing with him and exposing him to our hands. He already comes outside of his cage, and is tame when he's out. Apart from the being shy and hiding under things... The reason why I picked this little guy is because of his quirky behaviour, and activity in the pet shop. However, this seems to have vanished in the past 2 days... :hap: I thought most young budgies were bubbling with activity and curiosity.. am I wrong? Is this normal, or is this weird behaviour? I have never had a young budgie behave like this before, and we are both extremely concerned, as we love this little guy to pieces and fear there might be something wrong. Thanks for reading.
March 15, 200817 yr Welcome Welcome Welcome. Let me start by saying your budgie is very cute. He (I'll call him that until someone comes along and tells you he's a hen) Do you know what sort of budgie it is, if not do you? There are plenty of people on this forum that can give you alsorts of help from basic things to really simple things. I'm sure your dad would know a fair bit from his budgie breeding days, but if he's stumped feel free to ask, they really are a nice bunch around here... You may find that the reason he isn't as "quirky" is because he isn't familiar wih his surrpoundings at the moment... they can take a little while to settle down. I'm sure he'll pick up.. just be his friend and he'll warm to you I'm sure... Where did you buy him from? Pet Shop or breeder? Look forward to seeing alot more posts from you :hap: CIAO 4 NIAO JimmyBanks Edited March 15, 200817 yr by JimmyBanks
March 15, 200817 yr Author Welcome Welcome Welcome. Let me start by saying your budgie is very cute. He (I'll call him that until someone comes along and tells you he's a hen) Do you know what sort of budgie it is, if not do you? My dad was right about my previous budgie, so I'm hoping he's right this time too. Unfortunately, I don't know what sort of budgie it is. It'd be nifty if someone could let me know that too, I guess. Haha. All I know is he's beautiful and I'm already quite attached to him! :hap: Edit: Yeah I figured there'd be some transition, but I didn't think he'd go from active to plain flat out boring (Laughing out loud). Another thing: I bought it from a petshop. Edited March 15, 200817 yr by sereptilia
March 15, 200817 yr Welcome . First of all I have no doubt that his quirky behavior will resurface remember he was just taken away from his flock, now put in a completely different cage with toys that are unknown to him and he has you peering through the cage bars can you imagine what he is thinking (Laughing out loud) . I have a article that I wrote up about taming budgies in the FAQ I suggest you print it out and read it because I feel it has a lot of great ideas to get started with your newest friend . Patience is the key to budgie training and gaining trust is the key to your new friendship how long it takes to gain trust is going to depend on how you work with your budgies, how many times a day, etc...
March 15, 200817 yr Hi and welcome I'd agree with your dad he's a he :hap: And i'd say a green cinnamon spangle, if that means anything to you Going by the marking colour and the purple throat spots I've had many baby budgies who're shy, hide in under or behind things... With time and exposure he'll hopefully become more tame... Being bought from a petshops means he was probably just sold to them as a baby and not a hand reared/tamed one... So with time and persistance he will brighten up If you feel comfortable with it try a wing clip, it'll set his confidence back a bit being unable to fly, but reassure him that your hands/fingers/shoulder are wonderful places to be (remeber wings grow back with a moult) Hope that helps
March 15, 200817 yr Author Thanks for the help guys, was reassuring. I'll keep you updated on his progress!
March 15, 200817 yr He/She/It is certainly cute ... nice colors on the pics where he/she/its hiding. Are you sure its not playing PEEK A BOO ? I like the picture of it lying in the bowl ... bath time ? I think its just getting to know you & aclimatizing to it's new enviroment ... it takes time & every budgie is different/ THANK Whomever for that !
March 16, 200817 yr Hi and welcome to the forum . You budgie is definitely a cutie and with a bit of time and lots of TLC he'll come out of his shell .
March 16, 200817 yr Hi and welcome. You have been given some great advice already. I tend to agree. I'm sure over time, he'll be back to his 'normal' self. Enjoy training him and I look forward to follow your progress!
March 16, 200817 yr Author Thanks guys. Janus is much more active today. He's playing with his toys and found his new favourite spot - the swing!! I'm introducing fresh lettuce to him, by placing it next to his swing, and he's been sampling it. Still questions our hand a bit, but he's getting a lot better. So slowly, he'll get there. P.S. The colour on the picture where he's playing 'hide and seek' is the only one I was willing to use flash with. The others I wasn't brave enough, as I didn't want to scare him. As for the tub he was sitting in, it was just a small tub of seed we had out - because he was trying to eat the patterns on the sofa bed matteress, (Laughing out loud). He decided it'd be a good idea to sit in it, then later decided to tip it over. (Laughing out loud)
March 16, 200817 yr As for the tub he was sitting in, it was just a small tub of seed we had out - because he was trying to eat the patterns on the sofa bed matteress, (Laughing out loud). He decided it'd be a good idea to sit in it, then later decided to tip it over. (Laughing out loud) Well he certainly is showing he is having a great time with you ... let him tear the place apart. Thats whats fun about getting to know your new budgie. Wanna have a laugh ? Go to this link ... looka at OLIVE. Olive reminds me a little like your new guy. Olive 12 If the link doesn't work ... its page 4 of this Forum in Budgie Pictures. Enjoy.
March 16, 200817 yr :ygbudgie: Beautiful budgie and quite similar to the one I was watching in a pet store the other day who was quite entrancing and playing with a toy. Welcome to BBC and may I suggest you start with the FAQS, lots of great information there!
March 16, 200817 yr Author I've been reading the FAQ for re-familiarise myself with a youngster, and showing my partner, as this is his first budgie. Janus is going really well. I'll try to get more photos as he gets even more active, preferrably ones outside his cage. Thank you all for the help and support, really really appreciated. In regards to Olive, she looks beautiful. Especially the picture of her hiding near the feed bowls Love budgies, cutest things ever. Oh, and Janus says thanks for the compliments about his beautiful plumage :rip:
March 17, 200817 yr Oh, and Janus says thanks for the compliments about his beautiful plumage " oh yeah .... that's the Norweigan Blue ... Beautiful Plumage "
March 17, 200817 yr Oh, and Janus says thanks for the compliments about his beautiful plumage " oh yeah .... that's the Norweigan Blue ... Beautiful Plumage " gotta love monty python :(Laughing out loud): :hap: :hap: :hap:
March 17, 200817 yr Hi Sereptilia, welcome to the BBC forum. You are going to find spending time, with your absolutely beautiful budgie Janus, and training Janus so rewarding. I am sorry that you previous bird passed away. Jimmy, well goodness gracious, haven't you come a long way. Jumping in and replying before anyone else, confident AND correct with your information.... Are you sure you don't already have a budgie and you are just tricking us :hap: Way to go!! Feathers.
March 19, 200817 yr Author Hi Guys I'm posting this from work, so expect it to be editted later tonight when I get home. Janus has been flying around a lot more, and calmed down a lot. Purchased a whole heap of toys for him last night which should arrive in the mail today or tomorrow. He's calming down a lot, but still bites pretty hard - although rarer. He chirps in the mornings now when we wake up too (which is before Sunrise ) Because my partner and I both work full time an hour away, I leave the radio on softly for him every day. Is this a good idea?
March 19, 200817 yr I like to leave a radio on in the house when we go out. I was told that in the wild, when danger is happening, any & all animals become quiet & listen & wait for the danger to happen or pass. So quiet can be frightening to your bird. Quiet means danger & they should be aware. When I got my first bird I didn't play any music or the tv & made the house really quiet for him to adjust. POOR Bird was in fear for over 2 weeks ! He never said ONE LITTLE CHIRP ! As soon as I took him into the den with me where the computer & stereo were on he was in his glory & partied up. He started singing & coming out of his cage & flying around & really adjusted to us. But again .. I noticed when we went out & turned everything off. He ran to his cage & hid in fear. So we just played the stereo lightly for him for company. The fear behavior stopped. I say its a good thing to leave the radio on for your bird.
March 19, 200817 yr Author Thanks heaps for the confirmation. I wasn't sure, as with my previous birds, my mother was always home (I was living home then and only just recently moved out), and she'd be making noise, with the tv, radio etc. So there was no need to worry about such things.
May 19, 201014 yr Author Wow, keep forgetting to check back. I thought I'd find my old introductory thread, and show you guys some newer photos of Janus, and his (new) friend Apollo (Lollo). I got Apollo because it seemed like Janus was getting down in the dumps, and since Apollo has turned up, he seems much happier. I did my research before getting the new bird and was informed two males go together better, so I got another male. Here's some photos. Janus is the green one, and Apollo is the grey one. Enjoy. http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c219/ser.../Picture069.jpg Kisses. <3 http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c219/ser...ia/PB050547.jpg Apollo roosting on my laptop. http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c219/ser...12082008039.jpg Deciding that sleeping on his toy was the best place to sleep. Edited May 20, 201014 yr by KAZ photos changed to links as you forgot to edit them to size before posting
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