Butterball got a friend

[TAGyourIT]

I decided she needed a friend, so we rehomed this little albino parakeet from craigslist. They think she is about 10 months old. I know I shouldnt put them together without quarantine, but since they are both new, I decided to keep them together.

I am VERY seriously considering a flock of budgies in a big flight cage. I love their little voices.

Vera (what I named the keet) had not been handled, but she will sit on my finger if I am very slow about approaching her. It took about a day. She seems most comfortable with my little butterball though.

I am hoping to handle them both daily so that they can both be hand tame even though they will live together.

I'm serious...dont be surprised if one day I post a pic of a flock of these little guys... they are very easy to care for, but very neat little birds!

Here are some pics...

Vera & Butterball (not actually her/his name...just havent decided on one yet)

[Emmilyy]

Oh wow, they look great together! So cute!!!

Look at the size difference, though.. is that something to worry about with budgies?

Either way, they make an ADORABLE pair!

[Monica]

I think Vera found a big teddy bear!!!

You can easily tell that Butterball has white iris rings where-as Vera does not, which indicates that she's probably a DFS.



It will be interesting to see how two females react together (that's what I'm going with right now!) - usually not good, but being one is an english, thus supposedly more laid back... it'll be interesting!

[TAGyourIT]

Little butterball really IS a big teddy bear! They seem to really like each other! Vera seems more comfortable with Butterball around, she is more flighty when she is alone. Butterball is the same regardless....LOL. I kind of think of her like a big fat lazy sweet dog. She just wants to perch and chirp and eat. LOL.

Surprisingly, Vera took to eating pellets right away! She had never had them before either..

What is a DFS? Is that a variety? Butterballs eyes do look red in person, but not as red as vera's. (If that helps...lol)

[becca623]

Wow, seeing them together makes BB look huge. Little Vera is very pretty. You have two gorgeous girls there.
One of the reasons I haven't gotten any budgies is the fear that I won't be able to stop.

[LovelySydney]

i cant believe the size difference! They are both adorable. congrats!!

[Monica]

Double Factor Spangle. Butterball can't be a recessive pied or ino with a white iris ring. I can see it in some of the photos.

Lutino/Albino
Lutinos are yellow based budgies,and are all yellow with red/pink eyes.---The cere of the male lutino/albino budgie does not change normally. Adult male lutinos/albinos have purple ceres. Adult female lutinos/albinos have the normal white/tan/brown ceres.
Lutino/Albino

Dark-Eyed Clear
The dark-eyed clear is actually a combination of recessive pied and clearflight pied. When these two mutations are both present, the budgie is has no markings or color.---The dark-eyed clear's dark eyes never lighten with age, hence the name.

You can tell a budgie is a dark-eyed clear because its eyes stay a dark plum color throughout its life. Comparatively, lutinos/albinos have red eyes and double-factor spangles have irises that lighten with maturity.

Also, the cere of the male dark-eyed clear does not change normally. Adult male dark-eyed clears have purple ceres. Adult female dark-eyed clears have the normal white/tan/brown ceres.
Dark-Eyed Clear

Spangle
Genetically double-factor spangles are all yellow or all white (depending on base color). You can tell a budgie is double-factor spangle because its irises lighten normally with age. Comparatively, lutinos/albinos have red eyes and dark-eyed clears have dark plum eyes throughout their lives.
Spangle

As far as size difference, no Emmilyy, it's not an issue... at least in terms of the larger one being more aggressive. English budgies (the large ones) tend to be more laid back. They were actually specifically bred from the smaller guys to be bigger and more buff. I'd be more concerned about an English budgie being picked on by one of the smaller guys! They are the same species, and there have been mixed breedings between the two as well.

[Emmilyy]

I've always wanted an English budgie, thats one of the birds i was researching before i got Cookie! Glad to know the size isn't an issue, they really are cute together!

TAgyourIT - post pics as soon as you get the next budgie, i have a feeling it wont be too long! :D

[Falsk]

I really get a Godfather vibe from "Butterball". And what's wrong with that name? It's so appropriate, haha. I'm a fan, anyway.

[kellywess]

They are very cute together. I too was amazed by the size difference. I like the pics of them cuddling. Very sweet indeed.