I'm new (as stated by my post count!) and I thought I would join these forums to learn more about budgies and whether or not they are the right bird for me to get.

 

I am doing up my office/studio at home and I want to get a bird when I have completed the task (early 2009)

 

The bird will have a smallish (not tiny) cage that will be open all day for flight around the studio, and closed for roosting at night. the room/studio is not huge - 3x4m roughly - so not a huge space to get lost in.

 

My concerns with a budgie are the 'bits and pieces' I will have in a studio... and whether a budgie is going to be hunting down my sparkly beads and picking them up (risk for swallowing??)..

 

I like the trainability of a budgie compared to other birds (other consideration is a canary)... And I like their colourways... (Yellow Face Opalines are beautiful! and the TCB I saw in someone's post! wow!) I know some people will Tut Tut, but the colour/look of the bird is important. I actually prefer the overall body shape of the canary and their singing voice, but I love a lot of the quirks of budgies too...

 

So I am trying to work out whether or not a budgie (or canary) is right for me...

 

I plan to buy from a breeder rather than a pet store.

Hi welcome, you will fine the forum very informative, Good luck deciding. I think a budgie are more robust than a canany

I don't know anything about canaries. From what I can tell, they seem content enough just sitting there in a little cage doing nothing much but making pretty noises. I hope that's true, because there are a lot of canaries out there doing exactly that!

 

I think a budgie on its own needs a lot of attention. If you don't mind yours being more of a playmate that distracts you and flies onto your computer and interrupts your work, then they will make a great pet. But if you want it more to look at then maybe a canary would be better? Hard to know. I guess you can't go wrong either way, but you'll certainly learn a lot about budgies here. Welcome to the forum!

This is my TCB....he has beautiflu colours on his wings. I will be breeding him with my Albino as then they will have all TCB babies I have been told!

 

 

 

 

Hi Trish Yes, it was yours that caught my eye... I love the back view! That colour is amazing.. and actually... all your new birds caught my eye! the colours are beautiful!

 

You're post actually got my attention because you got the birds from Portland/Hamilton. I'm a local from that way originally! (Sydney now)

 

Thank you all for the welcome.

 

I like the idea of a canary just sitting there and not needing as much interaction... but at the same time, the ability to have a bird step up and sit there and play with me is just as alluring!

 

I am not sure if a canary would be easy to get in an out of a cage though after a lot of flight time, whereas, I think a budgie would be easier on that front...

 

there are so many fors and againsts!!

Welcome to the forum. Personally canaries don't do it for me... but hopefully you'll figure out what you want. Good luck

If you just want birds to looks at, we used to have some pretty colourful finches a while back. I would never let them just fly around the house though as I'd never be able to catch them to put them back in the cage. I've only ever been able to do that with parrots & budgies.

I love finches too... argh..... !

 

at least I have a bit of time!

Hello and welcome :rofl:

 

I have a single male canary and he is beautiful - he sits on his swing and sings all day. I would definantly recommend a canary as they dont require stimulating attention and dont need as much space.

 

However, budgies are adorable too. I would recommend a male budgie over a female so you can enjoy their constant chatter. Budgies need a cage that is at least 40cm wide 30cm deep by 30cm tall. A single budgie needs to be bonded to you in order to be happy. Budgies unlike canaries need to be bonded to someone or something. Budgies play with their toys, can learn to talk and have lots of fun doing tricks. mine has a little ball he throws around the floor :rofl:

 

So really its up to you what you want. both birds are beautiful in their own ways, so it will be upto which type suits your needs.

I know someone who has a pair of zebra finches which she handraised, they are lovely little things and would fly around her house and land on her finger if she called

Gouldian finches are beautiful...you must look them up on google! They too make a beautiful noise.

Trish, Gouldian finches are one of my favourites!!

 

Liv... what type canary is he?

 

Cage size is covered... I have a small flight cage (60 x 40 x 35 I think) which I will use (though, to be honest, will probably buy a new one because I want white instead of black hahaha! to match the new decor!)

 

Toys are no problem for a budgie... does your canary play with toys?

 

I am thinking the canary may be more low maintenance, am I right? The idea of listening to canary song is beautiful... though the chattering of a budgie...

 

argh.. I am going to do my head in.

 

I am really drawn to the colours of the budgies, and the fact it can be trained to sit on my shoulder etc.. .

 

decisions decisions...

 

I have not been able to find a canary specific forum to talk on. found another bird forum for all types, but this one was good for budgie specific...

Well problem solved, buy the new cage and get both :rofl: Personally I think white cages are hard to see through they draw your eye to the bars rather than the bird, black is much better in that respect

Haha... True.. but if I use a white cage I can justify a new one... I already have a black flight cage haha!

 

Though I might get a new one anyways regardless...

 

I only want one bird though... it's just deciding which one... I'd get two if I got finch... but other than that I really only want one..

 

and seeing the pretty colours of all the budgies make it very very exciting...

 

(though Red canaries just make me burst with excitment....)

 

I'm having bird decorations put up in the studio (wall art/decals) so having a real bird is a bit exciting

Just a thought but if you want the character of the budgie but not too fussed about having a super cuddly pet, but one that will still get on your finger you would be better with two. That way they have a constant friend to fly around with but if you handle them lots as youngsters they should still be tame enough to not get worried if you need to get them on your hand. I have a totally non tame pair which often flies around the house and always comes back to their cage in the evening to roost

Gouldians which I have only seem to sing or make noise when feeding their babies...any other time they dont. Happiest in large aviary.

I hand raised a canary once or twice and they stay tame only for a moment then want freedom. But a non tamed boy in a cage sings sweetly. I also like the red factors, BUT even more the crested canaries which also come in red types. Little canaries with beatles wigs on

Budgies are great when tame.

Also suggest a tame lovebird.

Edited November 2, 200816 yr by KAZ

I'll do you a favour ....

 

Oh Hi & Welcome LOL ....

 

I'll let you Trial a budgie if it works then Sweet if not then bring him back

 

Too easy there

I'll do you a favour ....

 

Oh Hi & Welcome LOL ....

 

I'll let you Trial a budgie if it works then Sweet if not then bring him back

 

Too easy there

Now there's an offer to good to refuse

Oooooh.... neal.... I just had a look at some of your babies... *be still my heart!* how cute are they!! I heart Mac and Princess...

 

 

Kaz... a crested red canary is the type of canary I would love to get. It would be my pick if I decided to get a canary.. or a yellow crested... or a plain red.. hahaha... Oh, I suck at making decisions...

Hahaha, I know exactly what will happen, you'll get one and you'll so far in love that next thing ou know you'll be buying a property with a bigger yard just so you can fill it with averies

 

What? You don't think it can happen? Talk to my hubby who's about to buy me 10+ acres in the country just so I can live with my birds

Edited November 2, 200816 yr by melbournebudgies

Hi and welcome. Kudos to you for researching and looking into it before going out and buying something that doesn't suit your lifestyle. My personal opinion... would be if you get a budgie... you'd need to spend a decent amount of time with it daily... especially if it a lone bird. It takes time and patience to train and keep it trained. They do make awesome pets... but need daily interaction and quality time... If you can't give it that... I'd go for something else... Good luck and please let us know what you decide.

Just PM me to take me up on my offer

 

Everyone needs to experience a budgie even if it is for just a few days -

melbournebudgies.... not going to happen here... We went through all of that when I had rats... (Owner/Breeder/Exhibitor). The room I am moving the studio into was my old rat room... a dedicated room to my pets haha... but then they all got sick with a virus and died.. and then I became highly reactive to them and allergic.. so no more ratties... instead now I judge and help run the club

 

 

Neat... I will do! as long as you don't go posting pictures of beautiful chicks that need homes in the next couple of months I'll be sure to have an easy chance of making a balanced decision!

Oh what a pity, don't rats make such great pets!! They're almost as responsive and loyal as dogs. I really miss my old rat Ralf, unfortunately my wife has put her foot down and banned me from getting another one. (but me and my sons are still working on her )

 

I'd definitely say if you were used to rats, then budgies, or love birds as mentioned above, would be the best replacement.

Welcome to the forum.

 

I didn't see anything about noise and I am not sure how much noise you can tolerate, male budgies tend to be noiser then females, budgies are messy you do have to clean up after their seed hulls on a daily basis. Budgies are fun but they do need attention like any parrot unless you have 2 and don't mind them being as tame a 1. That is my input.

 

Oh and the picture of Trish's TCB is gorgeous but a flash was used so that is not the true color of the blue show in that picture.