I had a budgie named Hopper (so named because of that cute little hop they do to get from one pirch to another) and i used to take his cage outside sometimes to let him have some fresh air. Being the little houndini that he was i always made sure to put pegs on the doors to stop him from getting out.

One day, little hopper was outside in his cage enjoying the fresh air. Later, i went to bring him back inside as it was getting cold, and i found feathers everywhere, including in the mouth of my beloved dog Sam. I paniced, of course, and when i went to look in Hopper's cage to make sure everything was okay, he wasn't there, and one of the cage doors was slightly open.

Eventually, i found him, half buried in the garden, after he had been attacked by my dog.

So just a warning, if you have birds outside make sure they are secure in their cages and keep them away from other animals. This might seem obvious but i was so sure that Hopper would never figure out a way to move those pegs.

Edited October 17, 200519 yr by peanut

I'm sorry about your budgie. Very good point though. Also, never take your budgie outside unrestrained. A wing clip will not keep your budgie from flying away. You'd be surprised how often I see pictures of people doing this!

 

In fact, a caption on one of these pictures read "This is [name of bird], he flew away! " The picture was of a pretty little cockatiel sitting outside on the grass. He had a wing clip and everything.

 

So yes, supervise budgies outside at all times and keep them in their cage or securely in a harness designed for budgies.

Edited October 17, 200519 yr by eterri

Thanks for sharing your story. It's a good warning for budgie owners. It's unfortunate when these lessons are learned the hard way as in Hopper's case.

I made a simular mistake with a bird and a dog years ago. I have a dog - 12 years old now - who had always been good with other pets including my pet cockatiel. I was convinced that to keep a bird "safe" in your home, you had to keep the wings clipped. Almost any bird publication I'd read backed that up. The cockatiel had a ladder from its cage to the floor and would come climb up my leg when I was sitting on the couch. My dog was lying on the floor chewing a bisquit and the cockatiel chose to investigate. I had never had any problems with the dog and the cockatiel being near eachother. The dog barely touched the bird, but just the tiniest nip and moments later the cockatiel died. She didn't even break the skin. I was totally to blame. I didn't see it coming. Now, I know firsthand why not to allow birds and dogs, cats, or other pets to interact.

May I also add that in Australia the butcher birds will put the budgies through the bars of a cage if they get hold of them.

May I also add that in Australia the butcher birds will put the budgies through the bars of a cage if they get hold of them.

 

I've heard of the Butcher Bird Daz, but can you tell us what it looks like, Forewarned is forearmed.

Cindy

Cindy a butcher birds looks like a short dumpy magpie

 

 

But in ways he looks a lot stronger.

 

Good example of Butcher Bird and Budgerigar

And I have read on another forum that one owner had a canary in a cage hung outside and it totally disappeared with all the cage doors still shut.The consensus of opinion was that a snake had got in and taken it through the bars.

Lots of scary stories!! I am scared to put Blinks outside at all at the moment because there are agro breeding magpies around. Yesterday they went as far as swooping Mickey and Buffy (dogs) who hadn't done a thing and were in our backyard.

my mommy one time put my little baby bird bluey outside and left him for five minutes in the cage outside and the cats jumped on the cage the bird escaped lukily but we never found him again :rip:

Sad stories.

Does anyone use or know anyone that uses a Budgie Harness? I have seen these about quite a bit while doing my online searches but id still be terrified they will still escape

Cheers :beer:

Una

I've heard of people using them for tiels and larger birds, and they don't escape. My problem would be getting a bird into one. I think you would get bitten an awful lot

That is so sad

Una, I've just noticed Apple in your signature. What on earth is that bird doing?

Does anyone use or know anyone that uses a Budgie Harness? I have seen these about quite a bit while doing my online searches but id still be terrified they will still escape

Cheers :beer:

Una

Harnesses aren't safe for birds as small as budgies (they can slip out too easily). The safest thing is an appropriate-sized flight suit with the leash attachment.

Edited November 29, 200519 yr by eterri

Una, I've just noticed Apple in your signature. What on earth is that bird doing?

 

:hap: Lin your guess is as good as mine he was mid a very enthusiastic preening session.

 

Terri I tryed to go take a peek at the link you posted but it wasn't coming up for me, i will do a search on them a little later Thank you for the information

Cheers :beer:

Una

All I can suggest is getting another cage for when you want to take them outside for fresh air and try to keep the birds and other animals as separated as possible. Since I live in an apartment building, the chances of my birds being frightened by a dog are pretty small. Though I did have an accident when I was dogsitting at my brother's which is my own fault anyway.

See, the cage had fallen because the sand tray was loaded with sand and I was trying to cover it. I ended up falling with the birds in it but both were not hurt badly. My brother heard the racket and we put the birds in my own room. I noticed a little bleeding under Woodie's lower mandible. Since I couldn't see well in my bedroom I took them out to the livingroom and set it on a stereo. Lo, and behold, my coonhound/beagle Snoopy was there! I didn't have the presence of mind to take the dog outside first. I took Woodie out and tried to look at the little blood spot. She flew down to the floor and Snoopy grabbed her in his mouth!!! I panicked and told him no repeatedly!!! The poor bird was shaken, covered in dog slobber, but was not hurt. I prayed for a recovery and she's as good as new.

 

Yes. Keep them away from dogs and cats. Snoopy and Woodstock, I know I know (Laughing out loud) Better it was a dog that didn't have a death grasp of the bird in its mouth. [/font]