Budgie, Parrotlet, Lovebird, Cockatiel

[birdi3]

i already have 2 budgies and i was wondering what type of quality the parrotlet, lovebird, and cockatiel have compared to a budgie because i am thinking of getting another bird. i have many different things. but i love my budgies they are great i am letting them breed now but they haven't yet they have had the nest for about 3 weeks and nothing no matting or anything but i hope something comes soon.

[Monica]

I think it depends on what you are looking into. Parrotlets and lovebirds tend to be similar, as they can be stubborn birds, but if tamed or hand raised make wonderful pets. They are both very devoted, though do tend to have high pitched chirps. It usually depends on how they were raised, and depends each on the bird. It also depends on what type you get (what type of parrotlet? what type of lovebird?).

Cockatiels usually tend to be more independant, though enjoy scritches and hanging out. They are not normally as cuddly as say a lovebird or parrotlet would be, unless raised right, though they make great companions to hang out with. They usually tend to be very curious but clumsy birds (especially when young). They actually seem to occasionally have feet that are too big for them, but again make wonderful companions and usually not as stubborn as the lovebirds or plets.

Out of these four birds though, it is believed that the cockatiel and parrotlet are to have the longest lifespan (usually depends on environment, and diet).


As far as your two budgies, are you sure they are male and female? What type of nest do they have? Do they have nesting material? If so, what type? What is their diet? How old are they??? It is quite possible that they are lacking something within the environment that may be keeping them from breeding...

[birdi3]

I am sure that it is a male and female. I did tons of research on how to tell them apart. They have a wooden nest box but i didn't put any thing for nesting material in there. They are on a seed, fruit, vegie, cuttlebone diet. here cere is very dark and crusty is this normal for a breeding female i just don't know what is wrong. they have enough light because i have flourescent lights on from about 7:00a.m. to 9:00p.m. but they just wont breed.

[Monica]

Females will usually kick nesting material out until they have either eggs or chicks. Nesting material is to help prevent splayed legs. Pine shavings are safe, to a degree, or a paper substance bought from a pet store... Corn cobb, string, or walnut shells are not safe to use. You can try getting a slightly thick piece of cardboard (not like shoebox cardboard, but more like a large box type cardboard), cutting it just slightly larger to the size of the hole into the nest box, then make a small hole in the center of the cardboard, then pinning it up in front of the hole. You can also try placing perches and food near the entrance of the nest box. Be sure though that the nest box is near the middle or top of the cage, and NOT at the bottom.

Females usually have a dark crusty brown cere during breeding time, so this is quite normal and says that she's most likely mature enough to breed. As far as the fluorescent lights (you need to be sure its Full Spectrum lighting, not Incandescent), you want them to mimic the amount of light outside. Ideally though, you don't want to have them on for more than 4-6 hours a day so that they last longer. There are many people who leave the lights on for 10-12 hours a day, however that's a long time to be sitting under such a bright light (compare that to them being outside during the entire day and no way to get out of the sun).

[birdi3]

all of the things that have been mentioned have been done but they still wont breed. she acts like she really wants to and he is definately ready. he tries to mount her. he feeds her constantly. they preen each other all the time. and touch beaks and also he tries to impress her. sometimes she lifts her wings out or she flapps them really fast it is kindof weird. do you have any more ideas? they are both almost 2 yrs.

[Monica]

I saw the photos that you uploaded to confirm that indeed they are a true pair. It is late in the year for most birds to be breeding anyway (unless you live somewhere else other than North America)... If the nest box has been up for several months, you may just be better off removing it for now, and putting it back up next spring so that they have more time to raise chicks and the winter wont cause any problems. They are first time parents so are inexperienced so it may take some time still for them to get the hang of things and do things correctly.

[birdi3]

i have had the nesting box up about 1 month and she hardly ever leaves it. when she is out and she gets scared of something ( she is very sensitive ) she immediately jumps/flys down to the nest box. they are both extremely tame and love to be on my shoulder. but since i have been trying to breed them he is still tame but i rarely ever take him out and i almost never take her out. so what are the sings that she is making like the lifting the wings out. and flapping very fast. she just seems ready but she isn't doing anything. she really likes him. at first a couple of months ago she would really hack at him and now she never does it they are always cuddling and preening. she loves to sit in the nest and look out. but i just don't understand why she won't breed.

[Eliza]

I owned budgies back when I was in college (when I dig up some pics I'll be sure to share). My budgies were bonded to each other as opposed to me. However, I started w/ one budgie who was fairly close to me. When I got him a companion neither had much interest in me.

I've known quite a few people who have been owned by single cockatiels. They are quite friendly little birds IMHO... although I may just have lucky friends They seem to learn commands quickly but then again, that could have been up to individual birds.

As for lovebirds and parrotlets, I've only done on-line research on both varities. I'll just say that I was about 99.99% sure that I wanted a p-let until a lovie became available... we'll see what happens.

To a certain extent, I would imagine that be personality of the bird combined with the personality of its human is what makes a good companion.

-e-

ps Best of luck w/ breeding your budgies. I hope that everything works out well for the birdies!

[Monica]

When she is tilting her body forward, and lifting her wings (not flapping them), this is usually to make a platform of sorts for the male budgie so that he can climb on top, and it's also to help entice him into doing so... If she flaps her wings while leaning forward, she could be doing so out of frustration.

It does sound possible though that the male may not be completely ready, or he is too shy. The male budgies get beaten up so often by their mates that they can become quite shy to do an act that might be against them so usually proceed with caution, yet with great excitement... I can't say what else may be wrong, though if things don't work out now, it may be best to try again later.

[birdi3]

thankx for all the information its been great. just out of curiosity because i don't remember how i did it how do you post a new poll and question? i can't figure it out.