Posted June 1, 200916 yr So, came home today and hubby was home doing some work, and decided he needed to get out and about. We decided to go have a look at some pet stores to just get an idea of what we were looking for and possibly buy Well we went back to the store we were in yesterday after not liking the birds in the first store, and fell in love with one of the birds and the markings. Well after talking to the guy there for a while, we picked her out and he went to grab her gently and she went spacko. and she was biting and going nasty (and it was a her and we wanted a boy initially)... So we talked to the guy some more and then this bird jumped straight on the bars and looked at us. Awwwwwwwwh. it wasn't what we were looking for colour wise, but it was a boy, and he was cheeky, and he was showing us he was there (we had not seen him). The man said that the little one was just a babe (10 or 12 weeks compared to 4 months the other was) and so we asked to look at him some more. In his hand, he just sat there licking and nibbling rather than biting. And then he sat on his finger! And let the child touch him! That was it... he was coming home... so, please let me introduce Twitter Bird. So... I don't know anything about markings, but I am thinking he is a Cinnamon Opaline? He's got splotty yellow on his tummy I think (will get more pics later)... and blue down his tail... He's very affectionate once he gets on your finger... he's really sweet. Daughter is completely besotted. Had to have apple on a skewer just like Twitter.. hehe. Oh, it's nice to have a pet in the house again!
June 1, 200916 yr Hello Twitter You are right about opaline cinnamon... not sure about the male part though... could be a hen...
June 1, 200916 yr Agreed cinnamon opaline and appears to be a cock Don't forget to clip that last feather on his wings as it can cuase troubles and even snap and bleed since the other feathers are clipped and the pressure on it can be too much for a single feather He's very gorgeous and i LOVE the name
June 1, 200916 yr Author Oh, we should clip the last one? They did it for us, and will do it again for free (though I don't see me taking a bird BACK to a pet store to get clipped... not very safe for quarantine is it?)... is it wise me just clipping the last feather, or should I take it down to the avian vet (who is just around the corner) I am quite sure it's a He... the purple/creamy cere melts into a fine blue hue around the nostrils, but the others were all hens and were more white/pinkish around the nostrils... We are just letting him have some time in his cage getting used to the smells and sounds and sites of the house. I'll sew him a special cover for night time to keep warm too... might line it with flannelet to keep him warm and toasty... and cotton will give better ventilation. Are bird hammocks/cubbies good for birds, or should he have a box...? somewhere to hide? we have one he could get in, but It might be too small, so I was thinking of giving him something a bit more snugglie Now to search the forum about making toys!
June 1, 200916 yr What a beautiful, little bird! I just love the colours. From the photo, I would not be convinced either way about the sex - due to light etc.. The behaviour certainly suggests a cock to me.
June 1, 200916 yr Oh, we should clip the last one? They did it for us, and will do it again for free (though I don't see me taking a bird BACK to a pet store to get clipped... not very safe for quarantine is it?)... is it wise me just clipping the last feather, or should I take it down to the avian vet (who is just around the corner) I'd just clip off the last one myself. Not hard to do but if you're not confident, you could always ask the avian vet. Watch as they do it so you can do it next time.I am quite sure it's a He... the purple/creamy cere melts into a fine blue hue around the nostrils, but the others were all hens and were more white/pinkish around the nostrils... We are just letting him have some time in his cage getting used to the smells and sounds and sites of the house. I'll sew him a special cover for night time to keep warm too... might line it with flannelet to keep him warm and toasty... and cotton will give better ventilation. With new birds, I leave their cage covered 3 sides, then take off gradually. I always covered their cage at night too... good to block out light and encourage sleep. Are bird hammocks/cubbies good for birds, or should he have a box...? somewhere to hide? we have one he could get in, but It might be too small, so I was thinking of giving him something a bit more snugglie Not needed. I beleive they are a bad idea. Birds don't need to snuggle, and providing them with a box/hammock/cubbies can encourage nesting behaviour... S/he doesn't need anything to hide in. Plenty of natural perches and toys (no mirrors though) Now to search the forum about making toys! DIY toys and many topics in here: Setting up a cage/aviary
June 1, 200916 yr Author Oooh.. no mirrors? we went out specifically to get one doh! does it cause obsessiveness? I'm already trying to remember if I have a spare clicker left over from when I was training my old dog... or using it as an excuse to get a new one.. ha!
June 1, 200916 yr Mirror's often cause budgies to become attached to their 'friend' in the mirror, more so than you. Not a good idea when you're trying to form a bond and train. Some can even get possessive over them and attack your hand when you put in it. *** forgot to add... Twitter is beautiful! and love the name too*** Edited June 1, 200916 yr by maesie
June 1, 200916 yr Author He's obsessed with his swing. It's like his safe spot. He does anything to sit back on it... It is so cute. He was singing while I made dinner, chortling away. I have him tucked up and tucked in, but he's singing at me to pay attention! My hubby came down and looked at me and said .... It's little girls bird... right? we got it for the girl.....? grinning coyly at me. Doh. Busted. I am sure I will let her touch it occasionally and Ta about the Mirror! Will take it out!
June 2, 200916 yr He is such a sweetie. lol, l just got a budgie and was going to name her Twitter also, but l named her Tequila instead.
October 16, 201212 yr Oh, we should clip the last one? They did it for us, and will do it again for free Now to search the forum about making toys! DIY toys and many topics in here: Setting up a cage/aviary Aw... links to DIY Toys and Setting up a cage/aviary don't work. Are those pages still available?
October 17, 201212 yr Hi Clickers, THE PRO'S & CON'S Clicker or noise maker training is nothing new, its been around in one form or another since animals/birds, were first kept in captivity. Pigeon fanciers calling down their racers by rattling a tin of grain or small pebbles may be the one most people are familiar with. The clicker itself was originally a rather annoying toy that small children found most amusing. After going out of fashion as a toy it was taken up by trainers as a valuable aid in training all manner of animals. It was especially helpful, for instance those with a speech impediment Or those unable to co-ordinate their body movements & speech. Personally I am not against clickers for those who need them but with one proviso. Never use one in the presence of any bird with the capacity to mimic. For reasons I'm sure I don't need to go into....B.J.
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now