Hi! I'm new to this site, and I've joined hoping to get some advice about my budgie. His name is Mickey, he's a 4 year old male. The problem is that his behaviour has become very strange over the past few months. He's always been a bit 'special' - he can't fly and I think he's not the sharpest tool in the shed (but he's very sweet!). I originally had 2 budgies - but my female "Maxy" died mid last year (sniff). Mickey has always loved mirrors, even when Maxy was around. But since she died, he has become totally obsessed with mirrors, or any other shiny toys. He sits on the ground of the cage and just pecks and pecks at his mirrors until his beak bleeds (I've had him at the vets several times to try and repair his beak). He no longer takes any interest in us (humans, or our dogs). I know budgies are flock animals and can be lonely on their own. I don't want to remove his mirrors or toys, as I think he'd be miserable when we're out at work. But I also don't think getting another budgie would work, even though Maxy grew up with him she could still be quite aggressive towards him, as he probably seems pretty weak (not being able to fly and a bit dopey!). I think another budgie might just beat him up a lot. I thought about getting another bird in a separate cage nearby, but then he'd just glue himself to the side of the cage closest to the other bird and obsess over it until I put them in together. I don't know what to do, as I think he's not very happy. I was thinking perhaps I could find someone who would like to rehome an older or equally 'special' budgie (maybe one that can't fly either), and put him/her in with Mickey? Any other suggestions much appreciated. Thanks!

Hello and welcome.

 

I personally would remove all shiny toys, mirrors and bells, and replace them with a number of new toys that he hasn't seen before. He needs to be distracted from what he is doing, and replace his behavior with something new. Are you at home a lot or is he home alone most of the day??

 

Do you have any pictures?

Edited April 5, 200817 yr by **Liv**

Hello and welcome. I'm soory about the loss of Maxy and I'm sorry you have joined with such issues with Mickey. He sounds very special. Many members here have 'special needs' budgies. I'd remove all the shiney toys and mirrors. Maybe give him some foraging toys... food wrapped in paper etc... to give him something to do. You could also leave a radio on when your not home. If you did want to get him a friend, you could get him a very young/baby budgie. This way there would be less chance Mickey would get picked on as him being the older of the two, he could look after the little one. The new budgie would have to be quarintined in another room for 30 days before introduction though. If it was me, that's what I would do, but this has to be your decision, esp. as you know Mickey the best and how you think he'd best cope. I'd love to see a photo of this special little guy.

Hi Neva,

I have to agree about removing the mirror and shiny toys also. He has become obsessive compulsive about them and it isnt good for him. Remove all shiny objects and give him some new and fun toys and ladders etc. Put a radio near him with some great music.....and see how you go.

Hi! I'm new to this site, and I've joined hoping to get some advice about my budgie. His name is Mickey, he's a 4 year old male. The problem is that his behaviour has become very strange over the past few months. He's always been a bit 'special' - he can't fly and I think he's not the sharpest tool in the shed (but he's very sweet!). I originally had 2 budgies - but my female "Maxy" died mid last year (sniff). Mickey has always loved mirrors, even when Maxy was around. But since she died, he has become totally obsessed with mirrors, or any other shiny toys. He sits on the ground of the cage and just pecks and pecks at his mirrors until his beak bleeds (I've had him at the vets several times to try and repair his beak). He no longer takes any interest in us (humans, or our dogs). I know budgies are flock animals and can be lonely on their own. I don't want to remove his mirrors or toys, as I think he'd be miserable when we're out at work. But I also don't think getting another budgie would work, even though Maxy grew up with him she could still be quite aggressive towards him, as he probably seems pretty weak (not being able to fly and a bit dopey!). I think another budgie might just beat him up a lot. I thought about getting another bird in a separate cage nearby, but then he'd just glue himself to the side of the cage closest to the other bird and obsess over it until I put them in together. I don't know what to do, as I think he's not very happy. I was thinking perhaps I could find someone who would like to rehome an older or equally 'special' budgie (maybe one that can't fly either), and put him/her in with Mickey? Any other suggestions much appreciated. Thanks!

 

Wow, thanks for the quick replies! Yes, unfortunately Mickey is home alone a lot during the day, which is why I originally got 2 budgies. But I think I'll still try removing the mirrors/shiny toys as you've suggested, even though I feel a bit mean that I'm taking away his 'friends'! Might be kinder in the long run. Baby budgie idea is a good one too. I have lots of pics of mickey and maxy, on my laptop at work though. I'll send some next week! Although sorry to sound stoopid, but how DO you post images on these sites? Maybe I'll go and search the help menu now :glare:

There is a link in my signature HOW TO POST PICTURES. Click on the link and it will tell you how.

If you are thinking of another budgie, please, please follow quarantine to keep them both safe and well. Might be a good idea....another budgie. BUT the mirrors and shiny things MUST GO. :glare:

There is a link in my signature HOW TO POST PICTURES. Click on the link and it will tell you how.

If you are thinking of another budgie, please, please follow quarantine to keep them both safe and well. Might be a good idea....another budgie. BUT the mirrors and shiny things MUST GO. :glare:

 

thanks I'll give it a go...I have some pretty cute pics to share!

thanks I'll give it a go...I have some pretty cute pics to share!

Its good to have you here Neva Welcome :glare:

thanks I'll give it a go...I have some pretty cute pics to share!

Its good to have you here Neva Welcome :glare:

I found some pics - can you pls tell me if this works okay?<a href="http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk105/nv01/?action=view&current=Mickey.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk105/nv01/Mickey.jpg" border="0" alt="mickey"></a>

There is a link in my signature HOW TO POST PICTURES. Click on the link and it will tell you how.If you are thinking of another budgie, please, please follow quarantine to keep them both safe and well. Might be a good idea....another budgie. BUT the mirrors and shiny things MUST GO.

thanks I'll give it a go...I have some pretty cute pics to share!

Actually, I think these will work better...http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk105/nv01/Mickey.jpghttp://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk105/nv01/MickeyandMax.jpg

Edited April 5, 200817 yr by Elly
pictures turned to links too large

Awww he is great!!! Very adorable. :glare:

he is cute, let us know how taking alway the shiny toys and mirrors works, you will probably find he will start calling for these toys and becoming a bit noiser but that is okay, after a week he will settle down and start to focus on you.

 

don't feel like you feel mean in reality it is meaner to keep this bird in a state of obessive complusive behavior could you imagine living in that state yourself, it would be not healthy, so what you are doing is actully snapping him out of this mind set and bringing him back to a healthy state again.

 

keep us updated

Very sweet looking birds. Welcome to the forum. Youve come to a great place for advice on your budgie-related challenges!

Hi, welcome to the forums

you have been given such great advice, your budgie is gorgeous.

I agree with the others ab out removing the toys and replace with New things .... The radio or Tv on at home while you are not there will help with this problem too ..... If you have Meditation music the kind where you here the rainforest and other birds can be a good help too ..... But in a few Gum leaves if you can too ..... Good luck with this and WELCOME !!!!!!

Hi everyone, I took his mirrors and shiny toys out last night, and replaced them with a whole heap of other toys. He didn't get too upset, he took a lot of interest in checking out the new stuff in his cage. Although one of the things I put in the cage was Maxy's old yellow fluffy 'igloo', and he's been sitting on it and pecking at it for aaaages, just like he used to with his mirrors! Poor little thing, he's just so obsessive! I guess if he keeps at it I might take that one out too. Although at least the igloo is soft and wont hurt his beak! I have a great DVD to leave on for him while we're at work - you've probably heard of it - it's called "The bird sitter", very cute!