2 weeks ago I saw a budgie with only one leg, when I was shopping and stopped to look at the birds. It appears to be either a birth defect or an injury that is completely healed. I considered asking about her and taking her home right then and there. She was hanging from her beak from the top of the cage. She's a beautiful little bird and my heart goes out to her. This weekend, I saw her flying in the cage and perching on the food container and eating.

 

My problem: I would like to give her her own cage set up in a way that would help her, but I'm unsure if she is dependent on the other birds to help her in any way. I also don't want to bring her home because I feel sorry for her if I'm not fully prepared to deal with her issues. Any thoughts?

Well it's really up to you. Do you want another budgie?

I'm not really sure.. Well, I always "want" another budgie.. but I don't want to take on more than I can handle and regret it down the road. I'd feel much better if I knew that this little bird had a good home to go to (like the kind of home I imagine I could provide). I don't know if this bird is going to get a chance at a good home.. when there are so many to choose from without physical problems.

Well budgies being the tough little creatures they are i think you'd find that there's very little you have to do to adapt a cage to make it easy for him to get around. I would think the main things would be placement of food and water dishes and that kind of thing.

Edited November 9, 200519 yr by Bea

Have you observed this bird for at least 20 mins, watched him and see how he does with the other birds and how he gets along. There are many animals that live with a disability, dogs, cats the wonderful thing about animals as they don't see it as a disability they think it is just normal and they go on with their lives without feeling the emotions that humans too. If you are ready for another bird I would say yes, as long as you don't see any wounds, sores or anything like that. If he has 1 leg and he is going about his business then you know he will be perfectly fine, you may just have to have perches lower, different types that are easier to stand on, be more aware that if he flys around his landing may not be perfect and this take off might not be quick. Those are the things I think of, I hope that helps

The budgie's probably adapted to having one leg already. Don't think 'Oh, his landing's not good' congratulate him for trying to live his life.

The budgie's probably adapted to having one leg already. Don't think 'Oh, his landing's not good' congratulate him for trying to live his life.

 

I completely agree

I do believe in fate and if you can handle it, this budgie is for you, these people (and I call them people as I like animals better the people will reward you 10 times over) But again, make sure that you are really comfortable with this and don't do it out of guilt.

I think the little fella will be fine. I doubt the petshop cage is specially adapted? He will use his beak a lot as his second foot, and also use his wings as crutches as needed. Im all for adaptaion where is needed, but if the budgie is ding fine anyway, keep its life as normal as possible. Simple observation will let you know if, and which adaptations are needed. If you like the little guy, and want another bird, go for it

Only you really know if you have the time for another budgie but personally by the sound of him I don't think he will necessarily need an awful lot more care than a perfectly normal budgie(if there is such a thing!). If you want another budgie then I would say go for it.

HurdyBirdy - the only thing I can forsee this budgie needing thats any different is MAYBE a flat place to perch - sort of a little shelf - so the dear thing can rest that one hard working leg!

But other than that - it sounds like its coping very well and shouldnt be any extra trouble.

Its very good of you to consider taking this one in, good on ya!

Cheers,

Lavender

I've seen greyhounds run around perfectly as fast as any other with only 2 legs. I know a wild pukeko that has only one fully functional leg (the other one is broken) and he gets on superbly well in the wild.

I think that this little bird will be unlikely to find a home and you are the one who has to decide whether you can give him a home or not. I think that he won't have any problems, however it is your decision.

And if you do get him, don't clip his wings and make sure that the petshop doesn't either, because that will be his main mode of travel.

Any way when you do go back, ask the petshop people about him and possibly his breeder, then you can figure out what caused his disability and make a better informed decision.

However if he is happy, moving about perfectly and chirping heaps, he is probably fine and can cope with his disability well.

I've seen greyhounds run around perfectly as fast as any other with only 2 legs.

 

(Laughing out loud) I simply cant imagine a dog with only two legs :(Laughing out loud):

 

I have a little bird that was given to me by a Breeder that has two splayed legs, at first it took her ages to negotiate her way about the aviary, she spent her time resting in the seed dish or ontop of the nesting boxes.

I made a few "landing platforms" about the place for her but she never used them, it was only me that was thinking "awww poor lil birdie" while she was already getting on with life and wasn't even aware that she was different from the others.

Once she found her way about the place and worked out what perches she could land on, she was happy.

Just like the little bird in the pet shop i'm sure s/he has worked out a way to deal with his little problem and is as happy as the rest of the birds..

Cheers :beer:

Una

My cockatiel has hardly any toes (bit off by her mama who killed her other siblings) but she does just fine, have flat perches for her in and on top of the cage as well as regular ones. Her "stumps" are really muscular so she can climb in and out and around the cage. I know we always save the "one legged" birds at the Wildlife Shelter as they can function, the exceptions are woodpeckers who need a sturdy grip with both feet. Good Luck on your decision. :ausb:

The decision was made for me.. The next time I went back to check she was gone.. I hope she got a nice, caring home.

Im sure she has gone to a loving home and will be looked after lovingly..

Its fairly amazing to me that someone other than us in these forums (Laughing out loud) would have chose her over the "fit and healthy" budgies, Who ever it was that bought her must love her alot also.. Shes a lucky little thing

Yes, I suppose we're not the only suckers out there