English Budgies and American Budgies - can they get along?

[svolk]

I just called the petstore to ask some more questions on Mr. English Budgie. This is what I found out:

He's been at the store for 2 or 3 months, and is about a year old (info I heard the other day but it was confirmed again).

He was dropped off at the petstore by someone who didn't know what he was and didn't know what to feed him. The woman said that he was on the wrong kind of bird food but didn't know what it was. He is now on a basic Parakeet seed mix.

There is no blatant reason that he's kept away from the American budgies, other than he was dropped off to the store by himself. If any new birds come in at a different time, they automatically go into a different cage. This is good, I didn't want to hear that he had gotten into a fight with another budgie and had to be kept separate.

They are not sure that he is tame and it doesn't sound like they interact with their small birds (not surprised about that). But the woman said that he doesn't seem to mind when they open the cage door to feed and water.

He is fully flighted.

I asked if I would be allowed to interact with him if I came in over the weekend, and they said absolutely. She said that we can take his cage in to the back room where there are less distractions and see how we get along with each other. Excellent, I will hopefully be able to get a better idea about this after I hang out with the little (BIG lol) guy. Over a few visits perhaps.

The petstore does not test their small birds for anything so tomorrow I will ask my AV if a blood panel should be done in addition to the gram stains. The store's policy is that they are willing to help with costs/reimburse if there is something wrong.

*stomach is twisting and twisting with scared but excited knots...*

[Monica]

Well let us know how it all turns out! I've always been interested in the english budgies, but not enough to look into getting one! Just basic things like temperament and such, and how much they differ to the normals!

[svolk]

Originally Posted by Monica

Well let us know how it all turns out! I've always been interested in the english budgies, but not enough to look into getting one! Just basic things like temperament and such, and how much they differ to the normals!

I will definitely take pictures and let you know how the visit goes! If tomorrow's visit goes well I will probably want to visit again at least one more time - I'm very nervous about this!

I've always been interested in the English budgies as well but have never sought any out (I've never seen any in pet stores here, I think I've seen one other one at a bird fair last year and that's all). But I just stumbled on this guy - so I'm kinda of hoping that this was meant to be

[Cindy215]

Sarah they are very sweet and I never heard one thing about any aggression or other negative qualities. I found them to be sorta distinguished. Jerry will probably be able to be kept busy (I hope) if the English isnt as active, and who knows maybe the English will follow Jerry like a role model and do what he does. They usually do. It should be very cute. Good luck tomorrow.

A thought...if you dont want to take him right away but dont want them to sell him you could just buy him and let him stay there for a few more days. If you changed your mind you arent out all that much money and he'll never know he got "rejected" lol.

[svolk]

Originally Posted by Cindy215

Sarah they are very sweet and I never heard one thing about any aggression or other negative qualities. I found them to be sorta distinguished. Jerry will probably be able to be kept busy (I hope) if the English isnt as active, and who knows maybe the English will follow Jerry like a role model and do what he does. They usually do. It should be very cute. Good luck tomorrow.

A thought...if you dont want to take him right away but dont want them to sell him you could just buy him and let him stay there for a few more days. If you changed your mind you arent out all that much money and he'll never know he got "rejected" lol.

Yes I've thought about possibly putting down the money for him for them to hold him - only 20.00 afterall (how they sell these little gems for so little is beyond me! ).

I'm very curious to see how his personality is overall. I do hope he's active and curious.

Thanks for the well-wishes, I'm very excited about going in to see him tomorrow!!

[Cindy215]

Well, remember you wont usually see the real personality of someone who had a home and lost it...and now sitting in a strange place...especially a store.

My store birds were all themselves because they came from one home (breeder) and came in groups and always knew each other. And if a new group was introduced to an existing group it didnt take long till they were all buddies and running around the playpen together. But they were raised as birds in a group not one single one stuck with one single human so to speak....Budgies are colony loving so one Budgie alone like him left in a storeis likely to be scared and reserved.

I'm just saying that so you don't get disappointed in him...I wouldnt expect much just consider any curiosity or outgoing-ness a bonus, ime. (smile) I really think it takes a good month in any new home for even the basic personality of any displaced bird to be revealed. Unless they bond to an existing group or bird right away.

[homebird]

It did take Laker at least a week or two before we knew we had a determined fellow. Determined to get out & get flying. It is one of the things i learned right away - he needed out.

I know you have said Jerry changed when he was flighted. I think you'll see big changes once the new Budgie has the same opportunities. The first week i had Laker he'd hold onto the rope perch very hard & then beat his wings like he'd shoot to the moon if he let go. Even tho he tried to be fit for flight - he didn't have the stamina for quite a while.

I agree it will be difficult to judge him - but I think you'll know what to do. I am getting very egger to know how it goes - but don't feel too bad if you walk away - there's always the bird fair! [you can't buy them all]

[svolk]

Good points Cindy, and I do agree. I'm not entirely sure what to expect, I just know that I don't expect him to be friendly with me or take to me all that much. I'm assuming he's not tame but I have no idea about his history other than what is posted above. No idea how long it's been since he's been around other birds (other than being in the same room with them now).

[ian]

hi.i have both budgies and they get on great.i keep my english/exabition budgies seperate from the other budgies.but when they are to old to breed i place them in the main avairy with my other budgies and have never had a problem.heres 1 or 2 of mine

[svolk]

Originally Posted by ian

hi.i have both budgies and they get on great.i keep my english/exabition budgies seperate from the other budgies.but when they are to old to breed i place them in the main avairy with my other budgies and have never had a problem.heres 1 or 2 of mine

Gorgeous birds!! I'm glad to hear that you have no problems. I did get the English budgie, and he's still quarantining in another room away from my American budgie. We want Winston, the English, to bond with us a bit and gain trust with us before he meets Jerry (he did have a well-check and all tests came back negative, so he is healthy, but we want to take some time for him to bond with us).