Missing my wonderful budgies

[Orudis]

Hello. I am new to this board and don't have a budgie right now. However, I'd like to take some time to remember my budgies and the sunshine they brought into my life.

I got budgie #1 for my 9th birthday. She was a bit nippy but extremely intelligent. She had the run of the house, often getting "lost". I'll never forget the time she was "lost" in the house and flew into my father's dental office (which was in the basement). She landed on a patient's head. Sadly, she only lived 4 years. She got sick and would wheeze every time she ate. The vet said she had asthma but I'm wondering if it was actually aspergillosis (which was not well known in 1962.) I still feel guilty today because my family went on vacation, leaving her at home (a neighbor would come in to feed her) while she was sick. By the time we got to the vet's office, it was too late. I was only 12 at the time.

Budgie #2 lived 11 years. This bird was less nippy and extremely sweet. This bird escaped from the house 5 times and we got her back all five times. When she was quite old, she started having episodes where she would fly wildly though the house, crashing into walls. This bird had been an excellent flyer and I'd be curious to know what she had.

People tend to underrate budgies because of their small size and reasonable price. These birds are absolutely incredible in both intelligence and personality. Also, in spite of what many say, the females are just wonderful. Both of my birds were females. Neither talked, but they didn't have to. I have an African grey now and he is an extremely lovable bird. As far as intelligence goes, I don't see any difference between these two species of birds.

[clarify]

Originally Posted by Orudis

I got budgie #1 for my 9th birthday. She was a bit nippy but extremely intelligent. She had the run of the house, often getting "lost". I'll never forget the time she was "lost" in the house and flew into my father's dental office (which was in the basement). She landed on a patient's head.

Can you elaborate on that?

As far as intelligence goes, I don't see any difference between these two species of birds.

So, why don't you buy yourself half a dozen budgies now?

[LovelySydney]

Orudis - that is a wonderful story, thanks for sharing. Yes, budgies are VERY smart birds. Have you seen the video posted on this board showing I think a magician with his trained birds? There had to be about 8 or 10 birds and they were doing amazing things! It was so neat to watch. They really are incredible little creatures even though they are so small and I think many times, misunderstood. Do you think you will have more birds soon? You sound like you do wonderful with your feathered friends, you mentioned you have an african grey. I agree with you, besides the talking advantage, both birds are highly intelligent.



Clarify - her father most likely had a home office in his basement. This wasn't uncommon and still isn't uncommon for people to practice at home, it can be done in a clean and sterile way. As far as the "Why don't you buy yourself half a dozen budgies now" comment, that was kind of unnecessary. She shouldn't have to get comments like that simply from sharing her story. If I read it wrong than I apologize, but it came off as rude.

[Ashling]

I agree budgies are underrated. If a budgie has lots of time spent with it, it can grow up to be an amazing bird full of love and personality. Too many of them are just left in cages to grow wild. Have yu looked at the talking budgies on youtube? There are some cuties! I had a great budgie called Cleo who was my favorite out of the many I have owned. One I helped handfeed (along with his mum) called Zombie was also a favorite. My budgie Topaz is a sweety but is afraid of people. She will let you kiss her on the head/ beak and will step up ok but is always afraid.

African greys are incredible, you are so lucky to have one!

[Orudis]

Dear Lovely Sidney

I would just like to let everyone know that Orudis was the name of my first African Grey. Sadly, I lost him in divorce and can only hope that he is being well cared for. He was a great talker and had a fabulous personality. The African grey I have now (named Africa-Indiana) seems to be more affectionate than Orudis was. Alas, he's also less independent but that's because when we go out, we take him whenever we can. He's not as used to staying home alone.

Yes, my father had a home office in our split level house. The actual basement was below the office.

When Africa-Indiana is older, I may get another bird. I was thinking of adopting one from a rescue. I'm not sure which type I'd get. I would be very concerned about adopting a female African grey because I don't plan on breeding birds and don't want to take any chances.

Every time I see a cute budgie, I am tempted to get it. What concerns me is that the budgies I see today seem smaller and more frail than those I had. Perhaps they seem small compared to my African grey. I can't tell. I did read in one of my parrot books that the lifespan of budgies today is not the same as twenty years ago. Is that true? Anyway, it was great hearing from you!

Elena

[Orudis]

Dear Ashling,

I enjoyed hearing from you. No, I haven't seen the budgies on Youtube. I'll have to take a look. How many budgies do you have now? It just sounds like you have Topaz. How long have you had her? I was just thinking that if you didn't have her for a long time, she just needs to get used to you.

I remember that when I bought budgie #2 at the age of 12, the man in the petstore showed me how to handle her and emphasized that I had to handle her every day. As a result, I got a fearless but precious little creature. This bird mostly stayed in the kitchen. If my mother and I were talking in the living room, she'd still stay in the kitchen, but let a guest enter.......she would hear a strange voice, fly in, and land on the guest's head. Many of our guests were afraid of birds and you can imagine the reaction. The bird loved it. The more afraid the person was, the more she'd fly to them.

African greys are phenonomal (sp?). However, in some ways they are very different from my budgies (aside from size). My budgies would go to anyone and eat anything. My grey is much more cautious. I have my hands full trying to convert him to a pelleted diet. My budgies would have gobbled those up. He's also very reserved with strangers.

Again, I loved hearing from you. Keep in touch!

Elena