I'm Addicted...

[Miro The Macaw]

Ok. I have to admit. When I got Miro, and started hanging around here, I thought that there were a lot of crazy people here.

Multiple bird owners. It seems like some had dozens. Perhaps more!

Well, I am crazy too. I have added another feathered critter to the mix-





Seems like most people go from a small bird to a big one, but I went the other way- Added a parakeet...

Really, I didn't have any choice. Really- I didn't. I have been interested in budgies/parakeets ever since I ran across Victor the talking budgie's page- and when I go into a pet store, I usually go over and take a look at them, and try to 'interact' with them.

Now, as you know, this interaction with untamed birds usually meant I would go over to the cage, and the birds would run to the other side in fear... They just arent usually used to people. But, this time, I walked over to the cage, stuck my finger in, and like usual, all the parakeets ran to the other side- Except for one.

This guy ran up and started cuddling with my finger. Yeah, I am a sucker- But I have NEVER had a parakeet do this to me, so I saw it as a sign... I had to get it....

So, Even though it is a small bird, I am now in the ranks of those who I once considered at least SLIGHTLY nuts

-Andrew

[The Outlaw]

Poor Andrew. I see the beginnings of Parrot chipping syndrome. Its not pretty (the bird sure is) and it will likely get you into trouble. There is no known cure, however you'll never have to cook dinner for large crowds again. He's a very pretty little bird. Congratulations.

[basketbagley]

Oh Andrew! Welcome to the wonderful world of Budgie ownership! They are a hoot! Have you named your new family member yet? Sorta looks like a she to me and not a baby, but Monica is our resident budgie pro. She'll tell ya what ya got! So cute that it snuggled with your finger! I wouldn't have been able to leave that one either! I don't think my husband would notice a 3rd budgie in the cage??

I can't wait to hear more about her! How long till you get another I wonder?????

[Monica]

I was quite confused with I saw 'Miro The Macaw' in the budgie section, so was quite startled and surprised to see a new member!

It is a very lovely sky blue budgie! For now, I'll say female as the cere is not an overall pink color or purplish color. Usually only females will have a cere that various in color (such as white and pink, or white and blue, or white and tan, or some combination as such). A males cere usually always remains one color.

Guessing by behavior however, I'd go with male as females don't normally tend to be so sweet at such a young age unless they are handled frequently as chicks. For now though, I'm going to stick with female, unless you can tell us more about this little one (does it chirp, or does it sing too?).

I'm going to guess however that this little one is around 3-5 months old, maybe somewhere in between, as it seems as if she still has tiny amounts of black feathers on her forehead, and has the white eye-ring.

[Miro The Macaw]

Originally Posted by Monica

Guessing by behavior however, I'd go with male as females don't normally tend to be so sweet at such a young age unless they are handled frequently as chicks. For now though, I'm going to stick with female, unless you can tell us more about this little one (does it chirp, or does it sing too?).

Well, there is not too much to tell... I have had it for only a day now, but it readily jumps into my hand, and 'steps'. It is VERY tame, considering that it is so new to the house. It was quiet until today, I was working in my studio and it started to chirp loudly, so I went down to see what was up- I wistled back, and we had a 'conversation' for a while... I stuck my hand in the cage, and it hopped right on- Prior to this, it was kind of skittish around me, but it is VERY comfortable already, and hops right out of it's cage.

As for age, I have no clue, and since it came from a petsmart, they really dont know, either. I know that a lot of people here don't like buying birds from chain stores... But, this was different... This bird wanted to come home with me...

It is a VERY small bird- It was the smallest in it's cage, and is about 1/2 the size of the parakeets that I have seen elsewhere, which is why I thought perhaps it was still quite young.

Is it normal for it to be so friendly?? I am assuming that it was not handled much- since it came from a petsmart- but it is super tame already, and seems to enjoy human company... Perhaps I am just lucky!

Oh- if it helps anyone- The closeup that I also posted on the Budgie/Parakeet area-

-Andrew

[Monica]

There is a possibility that this little one was handled when it was younger, maybe even someone brought it back to the store for some unknown reason, though I guess we'll never know!

As for this budgie seeming smaller than others, this is probably the reason...

Here is an 'english' budgie sitting next to an 'american' budgie. You can note the size difference drastically.

Here is another good example, with the 'american' budgie on the left.

[The Outlaw]

It is my understanding the Petsmart ONLY sells baby birds. With the occasional exception of larger parrots that have never been sold, but have been shifted to different Petsmart stores. Still, they are rarely over 2 years old. In all likelihood, this bird's size has more to do with age and genetics.

[Miro The Macaw]

I am familiar with the difference between the english and american budgie, But I think that petsmart only sells americans... All the others at the store were much larger, and the ones at the OTHER store I was in today were larger still... I think that the small size is because it is so small...

It is a VERY vocal bird, chirps a lot, and sings... That only started this afternoon, though... I think it is getting accustomed to it's surroundings...

-Andrew

[Monica]

If this bird is singing, then that may indicate that it's a male as females don't normally sing! Some of the budgies may have english blood in them, if they are not full english... and the size of american budgies may vary greatly. I do know that my two boys, Smurf and Cosmo are not the same size, even if they weighed the same amount, Cosmo would always be larger than Smurf! He's just a big boy, but is by far no englishman!

I guess it's also a possibility that this little one was a runt, maybe a reason why it was handled more?

[Miro The Macaw]

Originally Posted by Monica

If this bird is singing, then that may indicate that it's a male as females don't normally sing!

I guess it's also a possibility that this little one was a runt, maybe a reason why it was handled more?

It is singing again this morning! I was up getting Miro's breakfast ready, and had not yet uncovered the budgie- but it heard me, and started to whistle- It whistles a pretty uniform song, followed by what I would describe as a 'shrill call', for about 3-4 seconds, waits, then repeats... If I answer with a whistle, he'll usually answer back, often mimicking my whistle.

He was sitting by the door this morning, begging to come out- Hopped right onto my finger.


I suppose that it could have been handled before arriving at the petsmart, I am not sure where they get their birds from, but I would assume that they are relativly big breeders, that wouldnt have the time to handle much... and I also suppose that it could have been returned by someone, after being in a home for a while... For whatever reason, this bird is exceptionally comfortable around me! That is why it ended up here in the first place :)

-Andrew