classic!!!

I'm not an expert like most members here, but like you I have one pet budgie, so can relate to some of the things you are saying.

My normally placid Bruce, who is like my soul mate most of the time, he even screeches after me if I leave the room and appears to be completely attached to me.... yet at certain times, sometimes when moulting sometimes not.. he will not want to come near me, he has even bitten me quite hard a few times. I sometimes wonder if it is not just his moulting but maybe hormonal, Bruce is about 18 months old.

Although I see him as my "baby" in budgie terms he must be "Kevin the teenager" by now So I presume he is just as confused by his emotions just like a human teenager gets.. (I have a 17yr old Grandaughter so know how it is :rofl:) this plus the discomfort of moulting must make life pretty miserable for them so we can expect unusual reactions from them.

I try to carry on with my normal behaviour to him, and still spend lots of time talking quietly to him, even though he may not want to come close to me, it does seem to soothe him. His moods dont happen often and dont last long.

I know how sad you must be feeling almost as if you have been rejected by Bogie, but dont give up on him, I'm sure after he gets through the moult he will settle back to being his normal self.

It is great that he has started his talking, this is where the fun begins, if he is like my Bruce with his talking, you have a treat in store for you, they are so funny when they answer you with a sensible answer,you would swear they really do understand.

So be patient and keep comunicating and interacting with him as much as he wants and I'm sure the old Bogie will soon be back with you.

 

Just a thought maybe something has happened that he wasnt too sure of and because of his moult it has made him more sensitive and cautious, but by carrying on in your normal ways with him maybe his trust will be returned. (it could have been the simplest of things not something major that upset him)

 

I love the picture of Bogie with his hat on, absolutely adorable.

I haven't seen Moulting Aid, is it available in the states? We have been giving him some seed that says it's for moulting birds (along with his regular stuff).

 

I have noticed the last couple of days that Bogie is fine with us talking to him. In fact, he will sometimes inch over to me and even come to me if I stay and talk long enough. This made me happy since for a few days I was sure he hated me! But it's just hands chasing him down he's not so into it seems. (Which is too bad as I'd love to help him scratch some of those feathers coming in! At least he has his toys to rub against, like his bell he uses as a hat to scratch his head. So cute!)

 

 

OH, another cute thing Bogie's been doing lately, as he eats sometimes he will deliberately drop a half eaten seed on the hood/cover thing over his water dish. Like it's a table. Then he comes back for it to finish it. :-)

 

Bogie is such a cutie! :question: I'm not sure if Moulting Aid is sold in the states --> link. You probably want to look out for a similar supplement and have a small supply for whenever he looks like he is about to start a moult.

 

We accidentally found out that Django likes cheek rubs when he had just come home for 2 weeks. He was perched on my finger (and too scared to move) and I slowly scratched the back of his neck. He lowered his head and closed his eyes when I did that so he must've enjoyed it. Some birds grow out of liking cheek rubs but it's been about a year and half now, Django still loves cheek rubs and the best time to offer him one is just after he's finished preening. He's currently moulting and is really snappy so no rubs for now!

Great to hear how well things are going with Bogie (other than the cranky moulting stuff!) He sounds SO like my Peanut when it comes to bells...

 

Edited June 29, 201014 yr by naomi

Thanks all for your comments!

 

Brucies Mom, I totally relate to viewing the budgie as a bit of a moody teenager right now. We've tried to be consistent with him and he's being pretty friendly back again. Mostly I've been trying to make sure I talk to him a bit first before trying to get him to step up. Also we're not trying to get him to step up from inside his cage so much. He's got toys attached to the outside and spends a good deal of time out climbing and playing, and when we approach him to play and talk when he's already out of his cage he's much more agreeable about it.

 

Sootie, thanks for the Moulting Aid link. I have seen liquid vitamin supplements locally, maybe I will try that or order from your link. I love hearing about Django's cheek rubs! The other day I did give Bogie a little bit of a cheek rub, which he seemed more to tolerate than to love. But maybe it will grow on him!

 

Naomi, Peanut is so cute with the bell! I'm sure he and Bogie would be fighting over them if they were together. ;-)

 

Bogie is STILL moulting (how long is too long? Is a first moult usually long?) but he doesn't seem as cranky. He's also saying tons of new stuff! He's learned gimme a kiss, thank you bird, and you're a good birdie. We say "gimme a kiss" to him and bump nose to beak. He seems to like that. Such a sweetie.

I have one budgie whose first moult lasted two months and six days. The rest have all been shorter, though.

Well, I haven't been around for a bit, but Bogie's been doing really well. He's quite a good little buddy now. He'll fly to my finger from across the room (or just as often to my head; he seems to like the bigger target) and is quite content sitting perched on my shoulder and nibbling my ear. He also likes typing with me on the keyboard or trying to control the scroll button on the mouse. :-)

 

He talks tons, has added "whatcha doin" to his vocabulary and now I think "hi bird" as that's what I say when he flies to me. And he's started chirping for me sometimes when I'm out of the room. (Especially when I'm at the kitchen sink, he can see me down the hallway and he's like, what are you messing around in there for? I'm here! Come play!)

 

It's amazing to me how much he's changed in the time we've had him. To everyone with a brand new scared bird, be patient and kind, having a tame little friend is so worth the work!

wonderful news.

That's great, he sounds like a lot of fun!

That is awesome!!

Thanks for the update.