I'm thinking about getting a budgie

[skendrick90]

Originally Posted by EmilyGrace

lol
The thing I'm worried about though is that I've heard that they aren't as friendly as larger birds. They don't like to be handled and loved on like larger parrots. True?

Same here. I was worried bout that. Get a baby. thats what i did. they all need to be worked with. I love my baby. You need to be patient for a few days and take it slow. But it is so worth it! I work with big birds all day and I have had a few. I love my budgie. he is my baby and loves to be loved on.

[Tinker]

Probably but if you get it as a baby - as soon as the breeder will release it and you are able to look after it, then handle it as much as you can, there is a good chance that it will let you pat it quite a bit. With luck it should be happy to let you pat it's tummy and around it's face area. They don't like having their wings patted in my experience - I guess that's because they're so vital for a get away if they get hurt. Of course, they really do have unique personalities, and it's the luck of the draw.

[RXK]

Originally Posted by EmilyGrace

lol
The thing I'm worried about though is that I've heard that they aren't as friendly as larger birds. They don't like to be handled and loved on like larger parrots. True?

they can be just as cuddly as the bigger parrots as long as you're willing to put in the effort of taming it. get him/her young and interact with it a lot each day (take it easy the first couple of days/weeks to let him/her settle in and start to trust you).

[Orudis]

These are absolutely wonderful birds. I had two budgies (not at the same time) from the time I was 9 to when I was 23 years old. They have incredible personalities and their intelligence is very impressive. I have an African Grey parrot now and as far as intelligence goes, I would hold my budgies up to my African Grey any time.

The only drawback I see to them is that their lifespan is not very long. Also, due to their small size, I had budgies getting "lost" in the house. Obviously, they were always found. My father had his dental office on the ground floor of our house and the "lost" bird flew into the waiting room and landed on a patient's head.

[RXK]

Originally Posted by Orudis

Also, due to their small size, I had budgies getting "lost" in the house. Obviously, they were always found. My father had his dental office on the ground floor of our house and the "lost" bird flew into the waiting room and landed on a patient's head.

hee hee :D!

[kali]

Originally Posted by Orudis

These are absolutely wonderful birds. I had two budgies (not at the same time) from the time I was 9 to when I was 23 years old. They have incredible personalities and their intelligence is very impressive. I have an African Grey parrot now and as far as intelligence goes, I would hold my budgies up to my African Grey any time.

The only drawback I see to them is that their lifespan is not very long. Also, due to their small size, I had budgies getting "lost" in the house. Obviously, they were always found. My father had his dental office on the ground floor of our house and the "lost" bird flew into the waiting room and landed on a patient's head.

That's awesome! The other day my Nanday tried to fly into the bird room but the door was closed so she turned around and landed on my friend's back! He freaked out! hehe...

[Greycloud]

I love budgies! Do you know the world record for most words goes not to a large parrot but a little budgie? I had several growing up. Mine were very handtame and enjoyed bathing in my hands under the fawcett as well as head scritches. They are very playful. I only wish they lived longer.

[roastedpeppers]

they can be cuddly it depends on the bird. just get a single baby bird it will get attached to you if you spend a lot of time with it. if you get more than one however it may not bond with you. i like them personally they're the perfect size and they're not too loud and should it ever bite you it doesn't hurt. I'm too afraid of big birds lol

[KGWatkins]

I LOVE budgies!!! People always think "oh... a budgie?" in a disdainful sort of way, they think that parrots should be blue and gold macaws.... but honestly, budgies are adorable! They are like having a wittle baby bird ALL the time! They learn to talk (or at least in the case of females to whistle some really cute whistles) They interact with you and play, they are just small, they are true pocket parrots. Just because it's small doesn't mean it's less of a parrot! People think they should stick a budgie in an itty bitty cage and leave it be, that's why they don't get tame!

[Barak]

I never had a bird before. I have friends and relatives with birds. My budgie, Binky, was abandoned at an apartment complex. The rescuer actually saved the bird for a woman in my apartment complex, but she didn't want the bird. My roommate and I agreed to keep the poor thing until a new owner could be found. Three days later, we were asked to give the bird to a new owner. We looked at each other and said, "What bird?" Budgies are hard not to love. We had to buy a book about budgies because we had no clue how to take care of any bird. It didn't take long for us to understand her sounds and postures, and she figured us out just as fast! She has become a favored member of our clan and we couldn't function well without her. She is a sky blue budgie and her name is Binky, she is two and a half years old now and healthy as a hog. Anyone considering a bird as a pet should include at least one budgie to the group, they are fantastic!