very sweet budgie story

[usamma]

Last summer our budgies had some chicks. A teenaged girl came over weekly from the time they started hatching. She spent a couple of hours holding the chicks and cuddling and learning about them. She eventually picked out a recessive pied chick that she named Zephyr, and when he was old enough he went home with her.

Last month she contacted me to bird-sit Zephyr while her family went on vacation for two weeks. I had offered this to all my chicks' adoptive families, as well as an unconditional return policy. Zephr is an only bird at his home, and the girl talks to him a lot and the have a special bond. I noticed when she dropped him off and said goodbye he would go up to the side of the cage and make human-like sounds. I couldn't tell what he was trying to say, but it sounded like other budgies who can talk.

So for two weeks Zephyr was in my bird room with the other budgies, but in his own cage. He could see them but did not seem to want to interact a lot. He mostly hit his bell, and would come up to the cage when we talked to him, but did not make the talking sound at all. Nor did he step up on me. In fact he would flutter away from me when my hand went into the cage.

Zephyr's owner came back today and got him. As soon as she walked in, he went right to the side of the cage and bobbed his head and she stuck out her finger and he preened it a bit. He started making those human talking sounds. When she put her hand in, he hopped right up, then she took him out and he flew off but came back and landed on her shoulder!

I was just amazed that the budgie remembered her. Those little birds are smarter than we often give them credit for.

[Emmilyy]

Awhh thats a cute story! he must have really missed her..

[Tinker]

Yeah, I had a close bond to my old budgie Tinker when I was about 8. We went off on vacation for 4 weeks to Australia and left him with Grandma. The moment I walked in the door when I got back he contact called super loud and pressed himself up to the nearest part of the cage clinging to the side till I came over. I still remember that memory really well as it was quite a big reaction. Grandma told me he had been quiet all the time he had been there so she was surprised when he did that! He also had a view over the valley as our house was on the hill, and when he saw me get off the bus at the bottom after school (when I was at high school), he would contact call until I'd walked all the way up and in the door. My mum always knew I was on my way because of him!

[USAmmasChickie]

Hi Mom!! I finally found you! Zephyr is soooo cute! Remember when he hatched out of the egg? :P

[USAmmasChickie]

I luv Zephyr!

[LovelySydney]

Awww that is an adorable story! What a great bond those to have.

[Ashling]

He must really love her. Zephyr is a great name for a budgie :)

[kali]

Originally Posted by Ashling

Zephyr is a great name for a budgie :)

i was JUST thinking that!

[TAGyourIT]

Thats a really neat name and a very cute little budgie story. I have read that they are really smart! Since "butterball" is my first, I guess I get to see for myself :)

Any pictures of Zephyr and his human?

[USAmmasChickie]

Originally Posted by TAGyourIT

Thats a really neat name and a very cute little budgie story. I have read that they are really smart! Since "butterball" is my first, I guess I get to see for myself :)

Any pictures of Zephyr and his human?

I am really looking forward to the pictures too!!