Hi, I found a parakeet in a strip mall parking lot, wasn't moving alot, and I managed to pick it up without it running away. Took it home and gave it water, managed to identify that it was a parakeet. After a little bit of reading, found out it could eat corn and lettuce, it's eaten both, which is good, and it has drank alot.

 

I found a very old small cage in my garage, I've read parakeets need wider and taller ones than the one he has, but I think this is just temporary. I've lined the bottom with newspaper and put a grill down. And he only has one perch.

 

Here are some pictures:

http://i299.photobuc...ripes/tura1.jpg

http://i299.photobuc...ripes/tura2.jpg

 

What else should I be doing? He just stands there staring at me, when I put in his food and water, he hopped away, which is understandable. I've already put up ads for this lost bird. He really is a beautiful little guy. Can anyone help me identify anything else about it? Type or gender? As much knowledge as you can please, I have never owned a bird before, but I feel very sorry for the little guy.

 

I live in San Francisco if that will help at all.

 

Thanks,

Redd.

Edited March 13, 201114 yr by Goldman

No more lettuce, too high in wter content leading to runny poos.

 

Can you get some seed for it? Maybe from a local pet store? The should stocke budgerigar or parakeet seed

Looks like a female cobalt recessive pied to me (but it could also be a dominant pied I'm not 100%)

 

I would say that she's doing well if he is just standing there looking at you. It's when they start freaking out and huddle in the corner of the cage that you should be worried.

Does she sing or chirp? If not don't worry, she might still be stressed...but if she is than its a good sign.

 

Its look like you got the second picture without much hassle and if you were able to pick it up in the open without it running away then I would say it is a runaway pet.

So its good that you are putting up signs.

 

Try not to feed lettuce as it has a high water content and can cause their poos to go runny (which can be mistaken for illness)

Corn is good but also try spinach, carrot and broccoli...they love it.

 

Try getting some pictures of the cage setup and a close up of her cere, the part above her beak (to be absolutely sure of gender). Its hard to be certain of a lot of things from small pictures.

No more lettuce, too high in wter content leading to runny poos.

 

Can you get some seed for it? Maybe from a local pet store? The should stocke budgerigar or parakeet seed

 

I'll try. Anything else you can think of? I'm kind of in a weird limbo spot, where I don't want to buy it a bunch of stuff because the owner will hopefully contact me soon, but I also want the little guy to be happy and healthy, until then.

 

 

Looks like a female cobalt recessive pied to me (but it could also be a dominant pied I'm not 100%)

 

I would say that she's doing well if he is just standing there looking at you. It's when they start freaking out and huddle in the corner of the cage that you should be worried.

Does she sing or chirp? If not don't worry, she might still be stressed...but if she is than its a good sign.

 

Its look like you got the second picture without much hassle and if you were able to pick it up in the open without it running away then I would say it is a runaway pet.

So its good that you are putting up signs.

 

Try not to feed lettuce as it has a high water content and can cause their poos to go runny (which can be mistaken for illness)

Corn is good but also try spinach, carrot and broccoli...they love it.

 

Try getting some pictures of the cage setup and a close up of her cere, the part above her beak (to be absolutely sure of gender). Its hard to be certain of a lot of things from small pictures.

 

All right thanks. I've started to tell the three veterinarians around here too.

 

It's nice that they don't eat a bunch of obscure vegetables or anything =D. She started to tweet the smallest bit this morning. Does "female cobalt recessive" mean I should pay any special attention to it? I understand that refers to genes/and or colour (been doing ALOT of reading, kind of enjoy learning about this).

Edited March 13, 201114 yr by Goldman

Regardles of what type it is... 'female cobalt recessive', it wont need any different care. I know you don't want to buy a heap of stuff as as you said, hopefully the owner will come forward, but I would buy some seed. Hopefully you can find a small box/bag, but she/he really needs seed. Other than that I'd keep doing everything else your doing. If you don't end up finding her owner and decide to keep her, we can help you with more long term stuff and proper cage etc... but for a few days, at least she's safe at your place. You can cover her cage at night too, just with a sheet or something... makes them feel safe.

Regardles of what type it is... 'female cobalt recessive', it wont need any different care. I know you don't want to buy a heap of stuff as as you said, hopefully the owner will come forward, but I would buy some seed. Hopefully you can find a small box/bag, but she/he really needs seed. Other than that I'd keep doing everything else your doing. If you don't end up finding her owner and decide to keep her, we can help you with more long term stuff and proper cage etc... but for a few days, at least she's safe at your place. You can cover her cage at night too, just with a sheet or something... makes them feel safe.

 

Picked up some "Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Parakeet Food", she's eating that as well as spinach, corn and carrots. I'll also make sure to cover the cage now. She has a nice little area by the window, might buy a real cage if owner doesn't show up soon.

 

Again, if there's anything else I should be doing, let me know.

Found some cages, I'm just going to order them now, It'll take a few days to get here anyway. (Wide cages were actually a bit difficult to find.)

 

Cage 1 is 24 x 16 x 16. Auction is over, but plenty more for the $25 USD price tag I hear 18 is a minimum for height and depth, and it's only two inches, but those two inches add up when it comes to volume. Would that kill me that bad?

 

There's also Cage 2, which is 30 x 18 x 18, $60 USD.

 

9720 inches³ - 6144 inches³ = 3576 inches³, a little over 33%.

 

I should probably just get Cage 2 then.

 

Can anyone spot anything wrong with the cage?

Cage one is fine if you dont want to go the extra $$$s. But when you get cage one re-do the perches so they are either side of the cage and running front to back. This allows the budgie top fly across the cage back and forth for exercise.

To modify the perches, use the ones it comes with cut them shorter but still almost an inch more than the depth of the cage and then just put new slots in the end of the perch.

Edited March 14, 201114 yr by **KAZ**

If the extra $$$ aren't an issue, I'd go the bigger one.

 

Once you get one, check out the cages topics on here to see how to set it up so budgie likes it. It can be quite fun setting up house, if you like a bit of home decorating!

 

I reckon the best idea is to put seven layers of newspaper on the bottom of the cage, to make cleaning really easy. Just fold up and whip out one sheet every day. No mess. No worries.

Well done on the rescue

 

It sounds like you're doing everything right so far...and this forum is a wealth of information, so you've come to the right place.

 

Just a quick tip...you mentioned that you're new to birds...budgies hull their seed and leave the husks behind in the bowl...so be sure to offer fresh seed daily as it may appear that theres plenty left in the bowl when really its just husks. Or you can gently blow across the top of the bowl to remove the husks...but be warned! It goes EVERYWHERE so do it outside.

 

Good luck, and once again well done on rescuing the little cutie