My budgies dont like wet fruit and veggies. I dont know what to do anymore. maybe some vitamins in their water or something? What kind do you use if you use any? Also, can they eat rasberries and blueberries? I want them to be healthy but they just dont like it wet. Anu sudggestions?
Answers:
Yes they can. And the vitamins would be a great idea-ask a pet store that keeps birds and they should have a powdery substance for your birds.
if they refuse frsh veggies, give them a pelleted diet...or eat something to their face to show them how much you love it and how non poisonous and yummy it is.always works with my budgie who now is addicted to banana's, apples, and whipped cream :D
Sure. they would be great fro your budgie! Lots of vitamins!
Rasberries and blueberries are great. If they don't like the fresh stuff at least have them on a pellet diet that will at least give them most of what they need.
Yes go but a shiskabob, and start to skewer fruit and veggies and then hang it where they perch. I've skewered broccoli, apple and all kinds of things. Place it where they normally perch and let it there. Sure it browns and wilts, but don't remove it. Eventually the bird starts to peck at it to get rid of it because they don't want it where they want to sit. They get a taste of the food and it starts from there.
After awhile you can start putting it in a dish. Start with raw veggies and then move to frozen after that. I also reccommend Roudybush pellets. They are a softer pellet and don't shoot across the room when birds eat them. They are also made with crushed pellets. Never had a problem weaning any bird over to them. I've also never give the bird a choice of seed over pellets. Pellets it is, plus veggies and pasta with beans and fruit. The more variety of foods you feed the healthier they are.
Good Luck!
I dont use vitamin water sorry. My bird eats a pellet diet with alot of good stuff so they need no grit. Its called KayTee Exact origonal. They can eat those fruits if they are cleaned very well.
Please feel free to email me with any questions,
Cockatiel Expert
Yes they can eat them and its good for them too! But often birds need an introduction to foods they aren't familiar with. If you can handle your birds, I suggest putting a dab of the food right under the beak. Birdie will get a taste of it while trying to remove it and can then decide if he likes it. Sometimes it just takes some time. I don't recommend leaving soured fruit in the cage, it isn't good for them. And like people, birds have tastes too. Some will like the same thing that others don't. Just keep trying to offer it to them.
Cheers!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Can birds regergitate?
Answers:
yes,mother birds do this to feed their young and if a bird likes you they will spit up on you,its a sign of affection.its a strange practice but then its life!
yes - that's how they feed their young
Yes..this is how they feed their young when they are first hatched. The chicks cannot eat solid food right away, so the parents regurgitate for them.
Yes. In fact, thats how they feed their young. The mother (or father) will go and catch prey, swallow it, let it get churned up in its gizzard, return to the nest and regergitate the "pre-chewed" food into the mouths of the hatchlings.
Yep, I do, thanks, lmao
sometimes birds regergitate its normal
By definition, regurgitation is the forceful expulsion of the contents of the mouth, esophagus, or crop (Nash, DVM). It is normal behavior, and is different from vomiting, which is more of a spitting action involving the expulsion of the contents of the proventriculus, ventriculus, or intestine. With regurgitation, the bird bobs its head and stretches its neck, while in vomiting, the bird shakes its head from side to side. Birds regurgitate their food to feed their young. Sometimes, they even regurgitate food to feed their mate. If the bird has bonded with you, there's a chance that it will regurgitate its food as a token of affection. Vomiting is a different issue altogether, and could be caused by a number of infections, diseases, nutritional imbalance, or exposure to toxic elements. It can also be a reaction to certain medication given.
Find out if your bird is regurgitating or vomiting. If it's the latter, take it to the avian vet as soon as possible.
Yes, on quite a few levels. They can be sick if they are poorly, some birds regurgitate to feed young but not all. and all raptors (and some other species) reguritate pellets or castings, these are the leftovers from food they have eaten, eg, bones, feathers and fur, that the bird cannot digest.
Can Birds Get Frustrated If You Don't Let Them Nest?
If a bonded pair live in a large aviary but have no nest box provided for them, yet they are seeking somewhere to nest, is it possible that they could get frustrated/depressed/etc?
Answers:
Yes, they can get frustrated. If the female is very broody she will lay without a box though. Now the male on the other hand, if he wants to nest but the female refuses because of improper nesting area the male can become aggressive towards her.
Good question! And the answer would probably be yes if she wanted to nest she would get nasty because she couldn't find one but if she REALLY wants a nest she will start laying eggs in the bottom of the cage! I would get a nesting box, you don't have to do any work (well not much)!
Answers:
Yes, they can get frustrated. If the female is very broody she will lay without a box though. Now the male on the other hand, if he wants to nest but the female refuses because of improper nesting area the male can become aggressive towards her.
Good question! And the answer would probably be yes if she wanted to nest she would get nasty because she couldn't find one but if she REALLY wants a nest she will start laying eggs in the bottom of the cage! I would get a nesting box, you don't have to do any work (well not much)!
Can Birds Eat Ice Cream?
I have a Grey Cheek Parakeet and Ive heard that they like ice cream. Im scared to give it ice cream becuase I think i might kill it. I just wanna know can birds enjoy that special cold treat?
Answers:
I agree with what seems to be the overwhelming thought here in the fact that it isn't a good idea. Birds don't have the ability to properly process dairy, and while a little dairy, such as milk, can be alright, you have to consider ice cream has other things in it. It usually has sugar, that isn't good for them, and depending on the flavor, some can be potentially toxic. So I would avoid it. There are some human foods that are alright, but I would stay clear of most treat foods that we eat. Especially with a parakeet, since their systems would only require a very small toxin to kill them due to their size.
yes it is fine for them to have ice cream but not ONLY ice cream a treat is fine
Ya they can have ice cream...i just wouldn't give them chocolate since thats what can kill dogs...
They can, but their digestive system isn't designed to deal with dairy so it can be dangerous.
This is the same for all animals, I work a rock festival at an animal sanctuary that had an Alpaca die, at a different function on site not the rock festival, because someone fed it a burger - they can't digest meat
no itll freeze them
You would be better off sticking with treats like fruits and veggies. Why risk it?
Yes they can occasionally have a little ice cream. Just don't go overboard because the dairy can be a little rough on them, and sugar needs to be restricted.
My birds actually don't like ice cream because it is too cold, but they love a little cool-whip non dairy topping!!
CAN they eat ice cream? Yes. SHOULD THEY eat ice cream? No. It is not good for their digestive system; then consider that they have completely different nutritional needs than humans, it could be dangerous.
It's not something they would eat in the wild, so I wouldn't risk it. They don't have access to dairy products in the wild, either! :-) It might be hard on their stomachs.
I have an african grey, and he loves ice cream. I give him just a little bit - like half a teaspoon, and if he doesn't get some when we have it, he gives a most pitiful moan.
my Senegal parrot likes ice cream !! it's okay to give the bird a little ice cream.
Ice cream contains milk, which is lactose which parrots cannot digest so idearly nope, it would be like feeding your parrot chocolate only chocolate would kill quicker than feeding ice cream,
However im sure health shops do sell lactose free ice cream which would be perfect for a parrot or you could try making your own with lactose free milk.
Or make your own with following ingredients :
Supreme Ice Cream
1 cup strawberry puree
1 pouch Gelatine
1/4 cup water
Pour 1 pouch gelatine over puree. Add 1/4 cup boiling water and stir constantly until completely dissolved. Pour into ice cube container and put in the fridge until set. Serve..
This link gives a few ideas of what you could make as a safe desert for your birdy,
http://www.birdsnways.com/birds/rdessrts...
no, it has a lot of suger and it might get sick!
Answers:
I agree with what seems to be the overwhelming thought here in the fact that it isn't a good idea. Birds don't have the ability to properly process dairy, and while a little dairy, such as milk, can be alright, you have to consider ice cream has other things in it. It usually has sugar, that isn't good for them, and depending on the flavor, some can be potentially toxic. So I would avoid it. There are some human foods that are alright, but I would stay clear of most treat foods that we eat. Especially with a parakeet, since their systems would only require a very small toxin to kill them due to their size.
yes it is fine for them to have ice cream but not ONLY ice cream a treat is fine
Ya they can have ice cream...i just wouldn't give them chocolate since thats what can kill dogs...
They can, but their digestive system isn't designed to deal with dairy so it can be dangerous.
This is the same for all animals, I work a rock festival at an animal sanctuary that had an Alpaca die, at a different function on site not the rock festival, because someone fed it a burger - they can't digest meat
no itll freeze them
You would be better off sticking with treats like fruits and veggies. Why risk it?
Yes they can occasionally have a little ice cream. Just don't go overboard because the dairy can be a little rough on them, and sugar needs to be restricted.
My birds actually don't like ice cream because it is too cold, but they love a little cool-whip non dairy topping!!
CAN they eat ice cream? Yes. SHOULD THEY eat ice cream? No. It is not good for their digestive system; then consider that they have completely different nutritional needs than humans, it could be dangerous.
It's not something they would eat in the wild, so I wouldn't risk it. They don't have access to dairy products in the wild, either! :-) It might be hard on their stomachs.
I have an african grey, and he loves ice cream. I give him just a little bit - like half a teaspoon, and if he doesn't get some when we have it, he gives a most pitiful moan.
my Senegal parrot likes ice cream !! it's okay to give the bird a little ice cream.
Ice cream contains milk, which is lactose which parrots cannot digest so idearly nope, it would be like feeding your parrot chocolate only chocolate would kill quicker than feeding ice cream,
However im sure health shops do sell lactose free ice cream which would be perfect for a parrot or you could try making your own with lactose free milk.
Or make your own with following ingredients :
Supreme Ice Cream
1 cup strawberry puree
1 pouch Gelatine
1/4 cup water
Pour 1 pouch gelatine over puree. Add 1/4 cup boiling water and stir constantly until completely dissolved. Pour into ice cube container and put in the fridge until set. Serve..
This link gives a few ideas of what you could make as a safe desert for your birdy,
http://www.birdsnways.com/birds/rdessrts...
no, it has a lot of suger and it might get sick!
Can birds all colours or do they see only black and white?
Answers:
Yes, they can actually see more than we can! They can see infrared and ultraviolet light! (science nerd and saw it in scientific american a while ago)
i dont know im not a bird, why?
I would guess that they can see it color, as this would help them find food %26 mates. Also, many birds are colored brilliantly, so color is obviously important in their world.
Birds would not be colored so vibrantly if they could not see it! The whole point of males being so colorful is to attract a female. Some birds use color to find food...hummingbirds use their color vision to find flowers to drink nectar from.
Yes they can see colors, some birds prefer one color to another for pellets AND for toys.
I have watched my guys pick out one color and leave others or throw them to the dogs to play with.
Rico will also react and try to bite when you have brightly colored nails but if you have natural or a soft pink he could care less!
Birds see in color, this is why the males are more brightly colored than the females, to attract a mate, and the female is usually more of a dull color, because they stay at the nest and do most of the setting on the eggs!
Birds can see color and ultraviolent light. When we see blue jays, we see a blue bird. However, when a female blue jay comes along and looks at him, she doesn't see the same color bird we see. This is because not only can birds see UV light, but their feathers also reflect it. People think that seeing in color would help the females pick out a mate, but the real important thing is them seeing UV light. All male birds have a little difference in the intensity of the UV light their feathers reflect. The ones that are more flashy looking to the females will get the mates first. So even when we see a group of male jays that we think look identical, to the females, they're all different colors (or different shades, but you get what I mean).
Edit: I found a website that could give you a little more info on the subject:
http://www.nwf.org/nationalwildlife/arti...
Hope I helped!
- Becky
Can birds / parrots get fleas?
A friend of mine has fleas in his house (from the dogs) and I was wondering are birds prone to getting the fleas as well? He has a cockatiel and a conure. The research I've done said that its not likely, but it can happen. Has anyone's bird ever gotten fleas?
Experienced / intelligent answers only please. Thanks!
Answers:
yes, give your birds stress seeds for that or vitamin liquid.
yes, they can, but it doesn not affect them, its more of transporting the fleas from other animals to the next.
We have an african grey and she has never had fleas, but I have heard instances of it happening. They make a small device you can put on your bird cage that helps prevent mites and stuff like that. they work great and are farely cheap. They hang on the outside of the cage so the bird can't bother it.
I have had fleas in the house and never had them on my birds, although birds are susceptible to getting mites. The pet stores sell something to put on the outside of the cage to prevent this.
yes
They get mites.Tell your friend that he needs to get rid of fleas in his home.They can make him very sick.He will need to remove the birds from the home while it is being treated.
i really dont think so but it is possible
mites, not sure of fleas, but parasites eat anything. Call your local vet
here is the opinion of one so-called expert ..
It is possible that he/she has mites (no, they don't get fleas), but probably not. Possibly just dry skin, which can be resolved by misting them with lukewarm water on a daily basis. Try this for a few weeks and see if it helps. If not, I would suggest taking him/her to a vet and see if your new lovebird has mites or parasites and they can reccomend an appropriate spray.
Never really heard of fleas. I suppose it's possible though. I do know birds can get lice
Yes all birds can catch fleas. Just buy flea spray at the pet shop and hold the bird in a ventilated area and spray one at the front, one at the back and one under the wings on each side
I know chickens have fleas so I guess parrots could get infested . mites are the usual problem though.
Heres an info link you may not have seen.
Here i go again with this same subject, for the third time! YES BIRDS CAN GET FLEAS! And you don't need flea products to rid your house of fleas. If you have birds and need to rid your house of fleas, use regular iodized table salt. Pick up dog water. Whether your house has carpet or hard wood floors, sprinkle down table salt, and leave for 5 days. The salt dehydrates fleas and the eggs. After 5 days vacumn up the salt, throw away vacumn bag. Fleas are gone. You can flea dip and bathe the dog(s).
No harm done to carpet or floors. Cheap and inexpensive way to rid fleas.
Absolutely, but it is probably mites instead.
I saw an african grey that died from flea infestation.
It can be very serious.
There are products available at pet supply to hang on cages to combat fleas and mites.
Use with care and not continuously.
Attack the dog flea problem and avoid infesting the birds and yourself.
This is a very serious problem this year with flea population at record highs due to hot and wet weather in many parts of the country.
No, they do get mites though. They need baths and a very clean cage.
Actualy birds do not get fleas, birds can get mites or another form of a parasite most parasites actualy help the bird in protecting it. Just like piegons other birds have these parasites that contribute to the health of the animal. I have 5 Doves and one day one of the youngest ones contracted a little swarm of bugs but none the less they were harmless and I got rid of them within 2 weeks tops. If the mites or fleas as you would call them continues to plague your bird you might want to consider taking him/her to the vet they will perscribe your pet with a collar, liquid, or type of bird feed that you mix in its food. Anymore questions on birds or specifically Doves you can personally email me at munchie_torres@yahoo.com
It's more common for a caged bird to get mites than fleas, but, there is spray that you spray throughout the birds cage every time you clean it. I've had birds for the past 18 yrs. Never have they had fleas or any of the other things I've heard of. But, my ****-a-tiels were never locked in a cage, they had a cage, but, the door was never closed. They had free run of the house.
I don't think they get fleas. Well at least mine didn't. My Mom and I we rase cockatails for a whie we had like 20 maybe more at one time or another and no a single one had fleas or mites for that matter. I'm not saying we had a clean place. We had them on our lani and before we knew it we had rats coming into our lani and eating what ever the birds had dropped. Then we had to sell some of them cause we are planning on moving soon. So all will go except for 2 pairs and my bird. Aside from the rat problem we haven't had anything else. We have tried everything possible to get rid of the rats but they keep on comming back. We have 2 dogs a korgy and a rot and both of them love to go and kill some of the rats.
yes
Experienced / intelligent answers only please. Thanks!
Answers:
yes, give your birds stress seeds for that or vitamin liquid.
yes, they can, but it doesn not affect them, its more of transporting the fleas from other animals to the next.
We have an african grey and she has never had fleas, but I have heard instances of it happening. They make a small device you can put on your bird cage that helps prevent mites and stuff like that. they work great and are farely cheap. They hang on the outside of the cage so the bird can't bother it.
I have had fleas in the house and never had them on my birds, although birds are susceptible to getting mites. The pet stores sell something to put on the outside of the cage to prevent this.
yes
They get mites.Tell your friend that he needs to get rid of fleas in his home.They can make him very sick.He will need to remove the birds from the home while it is being treated.
i really dont think so but it is possible
mites, not sure of fleas, but parasites eat anything. Call your local vet
here is the opinion of one so-called expert ..
It is possible that he/she has mites (no, they don't get fleas), but probably not. Possibly just dry skin, which can be resolved by misting them with lukewarm water on a daily basis. Try this for a few weeks and see if it helps. If not, I would suggest taking him/her to a vet and see if your new lovebird has mites or parasites and they can reccomend an appropriate spray.
Never really heard of fleas. I suppose it's possible though. I do know birds can get lice
Yes all birds can catch fleas. Just buy flea spray at the pet shop and hold the bird in a ventilated area and spray one at the front, one at the back and one under the wings on each side
I know chickens have fleas so I guess parrots could get infested . mites are the usual problem though.
Heres an info link you may not have seen.
Here i go again with this same subject, for the third time! YES BIRDS CAN GET FLEAS! And you don't need flea products to rid your house of fleas. If you have birds and need to rid your house of fleas, use regular iodized table salt. Pick up dog water. Whether your house has carpet or hard wood floors, sprinkle down table salt, and leave for 5 days. The salt dehydrates fleas and the eggs. After 5 days vacumn up the salt, throw away vacumn bag. Fleas are gone. You can flea dip and bathe the dog(s).
No harm done to carpet or floors. Cheap and inexpensive way to rid fleas.
Absolutely, but it is probably mites instead.
I saw an african grey that died from flea infestation.
It can be very serious.
There are products available at pet supply to hang on cages to combat fleas and mites.
Use with care and not continuously.
Attack the dog flea problem and avoid infesting the birds and yourself.
This is a very serious problem this year with flea population at record highs due to hot and wet weather in many parts of the country.
No, they do get mites though. They need baths and a very clean cage.
Actualy birds do not get fleas, birds can get mites or another form of a parasite most parasites actualy help the bird in protecting it. Just like piegons other birds have these parasites that contribute to the health of the animal. I have 5 Doves and one day one of the youngest ones contracted a little swarm of bugs but none the less they were harmless and I got rid of them within 2 weeks tops. If the mites or fleas as you would call them continues to plague your bird you might want to consider taking him/her to the vet they will perscribe your pet with a collar, liquid, or type of bird feed that you mix in its food. Anymore questions on birds or specifically Doves you can personally email me at munchie_torres@yahoo.com
It's more common for a caged bird to get mites than fleas, but, there is spray that you spray throughout the birds cage every time you clean it. I've had birds for the past 18 yrs. Never have they had fleas or any of the other things I've heard of. But, my ****-a-tiels were never locked in a cage, they had a cage, but, the door was never closed. They had free run of the house.
I don't think they get fleas. Well at least mine didn't. My Mom and I we rase cockatails for a whie we had like 20 maybe more at one time or another and no a single one had fleas or mites for that matter. I'm not saying we had a clean place. We had them on our lani and before we knew it we had rats coming into our lani and eating what ever the birds had dropped. Then we had to sell some of them cause we are planning on moving soon. So all will go except for 2 pairs and my bird. Aside from the rat problem we haven't had anything else. We have tried everything possible to get rid of the rats but they keep on comming back. We have 2 dogs a korgy and a rot and both of them love to go and kill some of the rats.
yes
Can anyone suggest a name for my Blue Fronted Amazon. He is a one year old male.?
Answers:
Jake is a nice name I had one named charlie
"Rainy Daze". Cause rainy day's and Mondays always make me blue.
Hamish :)
Tony - seems a reliable name for some reason. The funny thing about names is that we always assosiate them with the people that we know. So in other words if you knew a psychopath by the name of Tony you may be cringing about now. How about your grandads name, he'd never let you down alive or dead!
My mom has an orange winged amazon called Jake and my sister has a yellow crested called Chester. You could look at te ending credits of a film. There are usually nice and unusual names.
I had one called Samson. I now have a yellow crowned called Jemima and a grey called Max.
But what have you been calling him for the last year???
Dakota Blue, first name Dakota, last or middle name Blue ( you can use your last name for him if you like) I always give my pets full names because they are people to me. Best of luck to you, you might just try speaking different names to him to see if he has a positive reaction.
Noisey cause thats all they do make noise all day long
dexter. charlie. harry. dylan. bobby(after the boys in blue)
Titan, Flynn, Ged, Monty.ok not funny, Seven..still not funny. Good luck
Can anyone give me a webaite that gives recipes and good feeding guides for orange winged amazon parrots?
need to know wether or not vegeatables have to be cooked for how long etc
Answers:
hi i have a orange winged amazon she`s 19 mths old. i think you will find that they can eat most veg and fruit. But not onion,avocados and they can have potatoes but they have to be cooked not raw! i give mine a good dry mixed fruit and seed food from our local pet store and she has apples (without seeds) oranges, peppers, bananas, cucumber, cherry toms she loves grapes and as a treat now and again her favourite is a bit of toast with peanut butter she goes crazy for it! hope this helps. x
have a look on the google website...http://www.google.co.uk
vegetables are to be given/fed raw as they have a higher vitamin content when they are raw than if they are cooked :)
as for a certain website, i dont know of any, but your best option would be to just google "amazon parrot care" and see what you come up with :) you'l get all the info on how to care for your bird as well as what to feed him / her
You can give them both raw and cooked.
These site will help you too
www.birdsnwsay.com
www.birdmart.com
www.upatsix.com
birds .com seriously
www.northanparots where you can order food toys/
Answers:
hi i have a orange winged amazon she`s 19 mths old. i think you will find that they can eat most veg and fruit. But not onion,avocados and they can have potatoes but they have to be cooked not raw! i give mine a good dry mixed fruit and seed food from our local pet store and she has apples (without seeds) oranges, peppers, bananas, cucumber, cherry toms she loves grapes and as a treat now and again her favourite is a bit of toast with peanut butter she goes crazy for it! hope this helps. x
have a look on the google website...http://www.google.co.uk
vegetables are to be given/fed raw as they have a higher vitamin content when they are raw than if they are cooked :)
as for a certain website, i dont know of any, but your best option would be to just google "amazon parrot care" and see what you come up with :) you'l get all the info on how to care for your bird as well as what to feed him / her
You can give them both raw and cooked.
These site will help you too
www.birdsnwsay.com
www.birdmart.com
www.upatsix.com
birds .com seriously
www.northanparots where you can order food toys/
Can anyone explain why all the birds have stopped singing my garden is bird free i cant see one anywhere?
Answers:
Well breeding season has basically come to an end..so many of the birds you had in your garden may have been migrants and have now finished nesting and have moved on, leaving only the year round species. Also, birds are not as territorial when they are not breeding..therefore will sing less and they are not protecting as much and do not have young around to protect, nor are they looking for a mate.
You pet Cat tiddles has murdered them all!
A cat in the area
try leaving some bird feed out for them, and maybe a bird bath.
could be the warm weather that we are now experiencing.lack of food from the ground.
Don't know where you live but I have found the same thing, they seemed to disappear with the bad weather in England.
It`s probably the end of the world.
The birds have sensed some sort of danger in the area, either an intruder that has entered the area, or they sense a change in the weather coming.
when they are nesting they tend to be shyer,or is there a cat lurking nearby.
They're all away on holiday - it's peak season now.
have you stopped feeding them???
At this time of the year the majority of birds are moulting this makes them vulnerable to predation so they hide keeping in the trees or undergrowth so to avoid that chance of been seen, they do not go on to the high branches to sing their morning chorus,once moulting season is over they will be back.
ur neighbour my have shot them all watch out it might be u next
Can a turkey and a chicken breed ? What will the chick grow to be ?
Answers:
If it's a male turkey and a female chicken, you will get a bird called a ticken. If it's a male chicken and a female turkey you will get a bird called a churkey.
If it's a male goose and a female swan you'll get a bird called a gwan. If it's a male swan and a female goose you'll get a bird called a swoose.
So, if it's a male duck and a female pheasant you'll get a bird called a deasant. If it's a male pheasant and a female duck you'll get a bird called George.
I really hope this is a hypothetical question...
chickey... hahaha! stupid answer i know.but worth the 2 points
I don't know, but I guess it would be called a turken if they did! Hmmm, I guess Thanksgiving would never be the same.
I dont know if they can or not. but i guess it would be a turchicken or a churkey!
there are poultry called turkens, but they are not the result of chickens and turkeys breeding, this doesn't happen. THe turken is a genetic defect that causes a lack of feathers in the neck region of the chicken, looks kind of like a turkey.
It has been done,but it is difficult.I don't know what you would call one;I'd call it a bird! Here is some interesting info.
http://messybeast.com/genetics/hybrid-bi...
tasty..mmmm...turcken.mmmmm...
A Burkey,like the one that asked the question.It is possible for a turkey to breed with a chicken but this would be only possible with artificial insemination using a Turkey Baster!
Yes they can, but it would rarely happen and the youngsters would have defects.
No, they can't breed. However, there is a breed of chicken that has no feathers on it's neck. It is called a naked-neck chicken. It has feathers on the top of its head that resembles the hair on the top of a person's head.
Turkeys and chickens are different species and they would not interbreed on their own...With human help, however, it may be possible, there are guinea/pheasant and chicken/pheasant hybrids out there.
There is a breed of chicken called a 'Turken' that has a bald neck like a turkey, but it is not the result of a turkey-chicken mating, but rather a genetic defect that stops feathers from growing on the neck.
I don't think that turkeys and chickens actually bred to form a 'turken', but there really is a bird that looks like a chicken and a turkey called a 'turken'. Who knew?
Can a sun conure breed with a peach fronted conure?
Answers:
It's possible, but don't encourage it.
Sun conures have been crossed with Jendays (the offspring are called "Sundays", I'm not kidding).
NO! Species of birds are not like breeds of dogs. These are two different species. They probably Can interbreed, but shouldn't. Doing this would create a hybrid that would probably be sterile. It would be like breeding a horse and a donkey to create a mule.
Well, I have a hybrid (senegal and a african red belly parrot) and my bird is fine. I have contacted a lot of parrot experts on this (before I bought the baby bird) and they said that hybrids are just as fine as a pure breeds. Actually, they are more better at not getting sick than full breeds since they have two different genes. Kinda like dogs, muts tend to live longer than full breed dogs. But anyway, it doesn't really matter becasue you will still have a great companion (if you decide to keep them that is) So if you're worried about having birds that will not be healthy, that won't be the issue. And yes they can breed together but, most people are against it. I hope this helps you in a bit. Oh yeah, there has been lots of hybrids too.. there are lots of macaw hybrids, indian ringneck hybrids and so on... good luck!
Conures are probably one of the most popular species that hybridize. In captivity, that is, it is very rare in the wild. We have a Sunday conure. Sun + Jenday hybrid, alot of these crosses are frowned on. I love my bird though, he's smart, he's beautiful, and his personality is the best. People get pretty defensive over crossbreeding species, because of polluting the blood-lines. But breeders (not just of birds, dogs and cats too) are always looking for something different. I'm just neutral on the subject. There are too many breeders out there that are going to continue to do this, and I love my bird and wouldn't trade him for the world. But I don't think I would try to cross breed on purpose either. Jendays, suns and nandays are probably the most frequently crossed.
Hmmmm well yes is the answer
Can a Parakeet survive outside in the winter?
There is a wild Parakeet that is eating out of the birdfeeder outside our house. Will it survive when the winter comes? never seen one around are place before. thanks.
Answers:
Depends where you are..Parakeets do survive in temperatures below freezing, but at what cost! If they have to spend a long, cold winter without proper shelter they merely vegetate. They may stay alive, but it can hardly be called living. In their native Australia parakeets experience temperatures comparable to our winters (UK) only for a few hours in the night, not for days and weeks on end...
I"m not sure where you live, but parrots in the wild in the United states are being seen more and more. Sometimes they learn to adapt really well, no matter how extreme the temperature. Quaker parrots (also parkeet) live wild in places like New York , New Jersey, Illinois ( and lots of other states too) where it gets extremely cold in the winter. They favor urban areas, and people believe it may be because of the constant supply of things to eat. One of my favorite sites on wild parrot flocks is www.brooklynparrots.com. The bird that you are seeing may be some ones that has escaped. I would check and see in your area if anyone has put out any ads or flyers, and keep your bird feeder full!
Answers:
Depends where you are..Parakeets do survive in temperatures below freezing, but at what cost! If they have to spend a long, cold winter without proper shelter they merely vegetate. They may stay alive, but it can hardly be called living. In their native Australia parakeets experience temperatures comparable to our winters (UK) only for a few hours in the night, not for days and weeks on end...
I"m not sure where you live, but parrots in the wild in the United states are being seen more and more. Sometimes they learn to adapt really well, no matter how extreme the temperature. Quaker parrots (also parkeet) live wild in places like New York , New Jersey, Illinois ( and lots of other states too) where it gets extremely cold in the winter. They favor urban areas, and people believe it may be because of the constant supply of things to eat. One of my favorite sites on wild parrot flocks is www.brooklynparrots.com. The bird that you are seeing may be some ones that has escaped. I would check and see in your area if anyone has put out any ads or flyers, and keep your bird feeder full!
Can a parakeet choke on shredded carrots? I was told they enjoy them, but I worry about choking.?
Answers:
You can feed your bird carrots in different forms. Whether it be in chopped form, shredded, sliced, or diced. Carrots are a good source of vitamins for your bird. Parakeets love them by the way. They also love corn and peas.
Good Luck!
i have never herd of them choking. i give mine carrots and they have never choked. just give it to them and they will enjoy it. they chew their food too ya know.
No, they won't choke. They nibble at the shreds, they aren't going to try to swallow it whole or anything. :)
my dad used to feed his budgies on a mixture of hard boiled egg carrots and digestive biscuits they loved it, he breed them for years and none of them ever choked on it
Can a java rice finch get along with parakeets ?
java rice finch or rice finch or java finch or java sparrow. those are all it's names i was wondering if one will get along with three parakeets in the same cage.
http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/474j...
Answers:
NEVER EVER mix hook bills with finch species. The hooked bill of the parakeet or the cockatiel is no match for the finch's straight bill. Hook bills tend to be all round dominant animals that can inflict serious wounds on a defenseless finch with its comparatively small beak. Mixing these species is only asking for major dominance problems and a lot of blood, fighting and eventual death, especially if there will be only one finch in the cage with 3 parakeets.
Parakeets are also known (in the exotic pet clinic where I worked) as the little "rottweilers" of domestic bird-dom. They do not back down from a fight they've started unless their opponent is bigger, badder and meaner. They will attack and ceaselessly harass your finch until it dies from exhaustion or from its injuries. There are, of course, rare, isolated cases where a lone parakeet accepted a finch as a friend, but in general, parakeets consider themselves too high-minded to socialize with the likes of any "lowly" finch, whether it's the noble Java sparrow or the talkative zebra finch.
So please express caution and keep the two species housed in separate living quarters, if you really must have that Java finch. Also, remember that Javas (as with most finches) tend to do better when housed with several other Javas, as they are sociable birds.
Good luck
There is quite a debate about mixing finches with hookbills. Some never have problems for years and years, while some do have problems.
If this is an indoor cage that is small enough that it can be moved around, then it is probably too small to mix these types. If you are going to do this, it needs to be in a large aviary where they all have their own space and can stay right away from each other if they want.
Also know the personalities of the parrots you already have. If you have any grumpy ones that like to pick on others, then it might not be suitable.
Also, three budgies vs one finch is not a good idea either. It would be better if it was the other way around. Even though java sparrows are quite big and tough for finches.
And make sure you keep an eye on them and separate them the moment something happens.
I have kept parrots, finches, doves, and quails in mixed aviaries for 11 years and there has been not even a whisper of a problem. That includes mixing javas with both budgies and cockatiels. But I am careful and I make it as safe as possible.
http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/474j...
Answers:
NEVER EVER mix hook bills with finch species. The hooked bill of the parakeet or the cockatiel is no match for the finch's straight bill. Hook bills tend to be all round dominant animals that can inflict serious wounds on a defenseless finch with its comparatively small beak. Mixing these species is only asking for major dominance problems and a lot of blood, fighting and eventual death, especially if there will be only one finch in the cage with 3 parakeets.
Parakeets are also known (in the exotic pet clinic where I worked) as the little "rottweilers" of domestic bird-dom. They do not back down from a fight they've started unless their opponent is bigger, badder and meaner. They will attack and ceaselessly harass your finch until it dies from exhaustion or from its injuries. There are, of course, rare, isolated cases where a lone parakeet accepted a finch as a friend, but in general, parakeets consider themselves too high-minded to socialize with the likes of any "lowly" finch, whether it's the noble Java sparrow or the talkative zebra finch.
So please express caution and keep the two species housed in separate living quarters, if you really must have that Java finch. Also, remember that Javas (as with most finches) tend to do better when housed with several other Javas, as they are sociable birds.
Good luck
There is quite a debate about mixing finches with hookbills. Some never have problems for years and years, while some do have problems.
If this is an indoor cage that is small enough that it can be moved around, then it is probably too small to mix these types. If you are going to do this, it needs to be in a large aviary where they all have their own space and can stay right away from each other if they want.
Also know the personalities of the parrots you already have. If you have any grumpy ones that like to pick on others, then it might not be suitable.
Also, three budgies vs one finch is not a good idea either. It would be better if it was the other way around. Even though java sparrows are quite big and tough for finches.
And make sure you keep an eye on them and separate them the moment something happens.
I have kept parrots, finches, doves, and quails in mixed aviaries for 11 years and there has been not even a whisper of a problem. That includes mixing javas with both budgies and cockatiels. But I am careful and I make it as safe as possible.
Can a female mallard duck fly?
I have had my female mallard for 4 months just yesterday she flew about 25 feet and landed. Anyway will she fly further as she grows older or will she always fly short distances?
Answers:
Wild mallards migrate, so of course she can. The thing is, it doesn't need to. If have had it that long, it has learned that you have food and water there for it. It will only fly away if a dog chases it to where it flies too far for it to come back, or if it wanders away because it doesn't have any food. They're like chickens, they'll stay where the food and water is. If you've had it since it was a duckling, there's an even better chance it won't go anywhere but maybe across your yard, or on your roof or a tree if she's in danger.
Are you sure you have a mallard though?
Rouen ducks look exactly like mallards but they can only fly a few feet off the ground for about 25 feet at the most.
yes
ya she can fly longer then that.
mallard ducks migrate so they better be able to fly!
Answers:
Wild mallards migrate, so of course she can. The thing is, it doesn't need to. If have had it that long, it has learned that you have food and water there for it. It will only fly away if a dog chases it to where it flies too far for it to come back, or if it wanders away because it doesn't have any food. They're like chickens, they'll stay where the food and water is. If you've had it since it was a duckling, there's an even better chance it won't go anywhere but maybe across your yard, or on your roof or a tree if she's in danger.
Are you sure you have a mallard though?
Rouen ducks look exactly like mallards but they can only fly a few feet off the ground for about 25 feet at the most.
yes
ya she can fly longer then that.
mallard ducks migrate so they better be able to fly!
Can a bird and a rodent become friends?
I have a cockatiel and a few hamsters, and i was wondering if i could introduce the 2, the cockatiel puts her wings up when she's on their cage, but is that just her being tough, or is she saying come near me and i'll kill you
what do you think
Answers:
Depends on your birds temperament. I personally would NOT introduce them. I had a Cockatiel with a MEAN attitude and I had no idea that a bite from such a small bird could hurt so much! But if you do introduce them, be careful that your hamsters eyes don't get ripped out! They're very delicate creatures and it probably wouldn't be in your hamsters or birds best interest. Good luck!
i wouldn't try it.
i wouldn't try it.Birds have claws that could hurt your hamsters.
depends on their personality
NOOOOO!!!!!!!!...
Maybe you could trim the nails of the Cockatiel and closely supervise their interaction.
yes
well it really depends on you
how old is the bird and how old are the hasmsters
I have several birds 6 dogs and 4 cats and rats/mice/ducks
the cats sleep with the birds that are inside
the dogs have never hurt any of my other animals and the dogs/cats/rats/mice/ferrets never hurt our ducks or budgies
Put them both in a small-ish cage
put them up against each other and just keep a close eye on them
do this 3-4 times a week
once the bird settles down and the hamsters arnt as intrested in the bird open the cage door and let one hamster in with the bird if anything goes wrong attempt to get the hamster or the bird out. and try again with putting the cages up against each other
i suggest doing this in side =]
what do you think
Answers:
Depends on your birds temperament. I personally would NOT introduce them. I had a Cockatiel with a MEAN attitude and I had no idea that a bite from such a small bird could hurt so much! But if you do introduce them, be careful that your hamsters eyes don't get ripped out! They're very delicate creatures and it probably wouldn't be in your hamsters or birds best interest. Good luck!
i wouldn't try it.
i wouldn't try it.Birds have claws that could hurt your hamsters.
depends on their personality
NOOOOO!!!!!!!!...
Maybe you could trim the nails of the Cockatiel and closely supervise their interaction.
yes
well it really depends on you
how old is the bird and how old are the hasmsters
I have several birds 6 dogs and 4 cats and rats/mice/ducks
the cats sleep with the birds that are inside
the dogs have never hurt any of my other animals and the dogs/cats/rats/mice/ferrets never hurt our ducks or budgies
Put them both in a small-ish cage
put them up against each other and just keep a close eye on them
do this 3-4 times a week
once the bird settles down and the hamsters arnt as intrested in the bird open the cage door and let one hamster in with the bird if anything goes wrong attempt to get the hamster or the bird out. and try again with putting the cages up against each other
i suggest doing this in side =]
Can a baby parakeet share a cage w/ 4 finches?
HI! Can a 2 1/2 mo. baby parakeet share a cage with 4 finches (2 cordon bleus and 2 star finches)? The finches live in a large cage 18x30x36. I just bought a white parakeet the store only had one and I fell in love w/ it. Now I feel a bit bad that its by itself in its own cage. (I know a bird needs to be in its own cage for a couple weeeks before putting it in w/other birds). I will probably go out and buy another solid parakeet once I find one but in the mean time until I do. I am curious to know if finches and parakeets can share a cage?
Answers:
No. Not at all, not even for a minute. For starters, your parakeet will probably attack your finches. Second, they eat different foods and need different size perches. Third, your parakeet doesn't 'need' a friend of any sort, birds are perfectly content living alone if you actually spend time with them like you should. Either way, don't mix the birds. If you insist on getting another parakeet, so be it, but keep the species together.
Don't know...don't care...quit asking this question over and over again!
My experience with finches was that two of them killed a third finch. So I would say no, not even for a short time.
no, that would be interracial. birds of a feather flock together.
They can't live together 24/7 but they can spend a little bit of time together out of the cage (if you let your finches out of the cage that is)
They can have bath time together, and eat treats together outside of the cage, but they can't live together
Parakeets arn't usually the nicest bird when having it with birds of a different species, they will even pick on cockatiels if given the chance, so i wouldnt risk your finches well being
If you play with your parakeet and give her plenty of time out of the cage then she won't become lonely
Yes. But but as long as they are babies. Trust me i own a pet shop.
Answers:
No. Not at all, not even for a minute. For starters, your parakeet will probably attack your finches. Second, they eat different foods and need different size perches. Third, your parakeet doesn't 'need' a friend of any sort, birds are perfectly content living alone if you actually spend time with them like you should. Either way, don't mix the birds. If you insist on getting another parakeet, so be it, but keep the species together.
Don't know...don't care...quit asking this question over and over again!
My experience with finches was that two of them killed a third finch. So I would say no, not even for a short time.
no, that would be interracial. birds of a feather flock together.
They can't live together 24/7 but they can spend a little bit of time together out of the cage (if you let your finches out of the cage that is)
They can have bath time together, and eat treats together outside of the cage, but they can't live together
Parakeets arn't usually the nicest bird when having it with birds of a different species, they will even pick on cockatiels if given the chance, so i wouldnt risk your finches well being
If you play with your parakeet and give her plenty of time out of the cage then she won't become lonely
Yes. But but as long as they are babies. Trust me i own a pet shop.
Can a baby blue jay go without food for 7 hours??
i have school tomarrow and i found a baby blue jay and i leave at 6:45 and i come home at 2:10 can i go without eating until i get home??
Answers:
Absolutely not!
Are you sure it is a baby?
Baby birds fledge (leave the nest) before they can fly. They need time on the ground to hop around, climb low branches, and exercise their wings until they have strengthened them enough for flight. The parent birds will continue to feed and care for the fledglings until they are self-sufficient. If this baby has most of his feathers, he is a fledgling. Put him back where you found him, so his parents can continue to care for him.
If it has few feathers, or is still bare or mostly fuzzy, it is a nestling - it should not be out of the nest yet. If you can see the nest, and the baby does not look injured, you can place the baby back in the nest. Birds do not have an acute sense of smell, so the parents will not reject the baby if you handle it. That is an old wive's tale. Wildlife biologists and bird banders handle baby birds all the time, with their bare hands, and the parents never reject the babies when they are returned to the nests. You can see photos here: http://www.wbu.com/chipperwoods/photos/p...
If the baby bird looks like a nestling, but you can not find or reach the nest, or you think the baby looks like it is injured, you need to immediately contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. You can find one here: http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.
These people have very specialized training to care for sick, injured and orphaned wild animals. They also have the state and federal licenses required to keep these animals until they are healthy enough to be released back into the wild.
You should never attempt to care for an orphaned baby bird yourself. First, it is illegal to keep the bird, even for a short time, even if you are just trying to save it, unless you have the proper permits. All native migratory birds in the US are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and you must have the proper permits to have them, even for a short time, even for good reasons like saving them. Many other countries also have similar laws regarding their native species.
Additionally, you do not have the necessary training to care for a baby wild bird. There is so much more to rehabilitation than keeping the animal alive until you think it is ready to be released. You have to know not only what to feed the bird, but how (please do not attempt to give the bird any liquid by dropper - baby birds can aspirate and die), how much and how often. You also have to know how to assess the birds general health and condition.
A baby bird kept in captivity must be taught to recognize and find the type of food it will eat in the wild. If it is being hand-fed, it may not associate the bugs and berries and seeds in nature as being food. It must also have the opportunity to exercise its wings a lot, so it will be able to fly on or shortly after release. When I volunteered at the Avian Rehabilitation Center, we kept the rehabilitating fledglings in a large walk-in cage with lots of shelves and branches leading from one shelf to the other, and down to the ground. We would place different types of food in the cage for them, as they were being weaned from the hand-feeding formula. We offered seed, meal worms and chopped up fruit. No fledgling was released until it was eating on its own, had sufficient weight gain, had all of its flight feathers in good condition, had no sign of diarreah or nasal discharge, had clear eyes, and could fly at least a few feet in a straight line.
These are the reasons to get the bird to a licensed rehabilitator - they have the training and the resources necessary to do all this, in addition to having the permits to do it all legally.
depends how healthy it is
Answers:
Absolutely not!
Are you sure it is a baby?
Baby birds fledge (leave the nest) before they can fly. They need time on the ground to hop around, climb low branches, and exercise their wings until they have strengthened them enough for flight. The parent birds will continue to feed and care for the fledglings until they are self-sufficient. If this baby has most of his feathers, he is a fledgling. Put him back where you found him, so his parents can continue to care for him.
If it has few feathers, or is still bare or mostly fuzzy, it is a nestling - it should not be out of the nest yet. If you can see the nest, and the baby does not look injured, you can place the baby back in the nest. Birds do not have an acute sense of smell, so the parents will not reject the baby if you handle it. That is an old wive's tale. Wildlife biologists and bird banders handle baby birds all the time, with their bare hands, and the parents never reject the babies when they are returned to the nests. You can see photos here: http://www.wbu.com/chipperwoods/photos/p...
If the baby bird looks like a nestling, but you can not find or reach the nest, or you think the baby looks like it is injured, you need to immediately contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. You can find one here: http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.
These people have very specialized training to care for sick, injured and orphaned wild animals. They also have the state and federal licenses required to keep these animals until they are healthy enough to be released back into the wild.
You should never attempt to care for an orphaned baby bird yourself. First, it is illegal to keep the bird, even for a short time, even if you are just trying to save it, unless you have the proper permits. All native migratory birds in the US are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and you must have the proper permits to have them, even for a short time, even for good reasons like saving them. Many other countries also have similar laws regarding their native species.
Additionally, you do not have the necessary training to care for a baby wild bird. There is so much more to rehabilitation than keeping the animal alive until you think it is ready to be released. You have to know not only what to feed the bird, but how (please do not attempt to give the bird any liquid by dropper - baby birds can aspirate and die), how much and how often. You also have to know how to assess the birds general health and condition.
A baby bird kept in captivity must be taught to recognize and find the type of food it will eat in the wild. If it is being hand-fed, it may not associate the bugs and berries and seeds in nature as being food. It must also have the opportunity to exercise its wings a lot, so it will be able to fly on or shortly after release. When I volunteered at the Avian Rehabilitation Center, we kept the rehabilitating fledglings in a large walk-in cage with lots of shelves and branches leading from one shelf to the other, and down to the ground. We would place different types of food in the cage for them, as they were being weaned from the hand-feeding formula. We offered seed, meal worms and chopped up fruit. No fledgling was released until it was eating on its own, had sufficient weight gain, had all of its flight feathers in good condition, had no sign of diarreah or nasal discharge, had clear eyes, and could fly at least a few feet in a straight line.
These are the reasons to get the bird to a licensed rehabilitator - they have the training and the resources necessary to do all this, in addition to having the permits to do it all legally.
depends how healthy it is
Can 2 male cockatiels live together?
i have an eight month old cockatiel and over summer for about a week i was watching my friends bird while she was on vacation and they were fine around each other but sometimes they would get nippy towards each other my friend wants to give me the bird now and im just wondering if they would be able to live in the same cage and not fight.. im pretty sure they are both males...
Answers:
Cockatiels are naturally flock creatures and do not like being alone. Once 2 birds are used to each other they usually get along fine. The one good thing about tiels is they are not vicious birds towards one another meaning it is rarely that a fight will cause serious injury to either bird.
If you get this other bird then let them interact from separate cages initially. Once they are used to each other and you decide to try them in the same cage make sure it is the largest cage you can afford. Small cages and lack of space usually results in unhappy stressed birds that do fight. They each need enoughroom to be able to get away from each other if they feel the need to. With the cage you want to put them both in make sure it is new to both birds. If it is your original birds cage then rearrange it all and maybe place it in a different position in the house. This means that neither bird has claimed it as its own and they both enter the cage as new birds. They will then find their own special places and develop a heirachy between themselves. Keep a close eye on them initially to be certain one is not being bullied or chased away from the food etc.
Just because they will then have each other for company does not mean you don't have to interact with them. Each bird still needs individual time with you and jealousy will arise if this is not done carefully. You cannot show favouritism to one and not the other. If they are just left with each other for company they will bond closer to each other than to you and will not be as friendly as pets.
Do not expect harmony all of the time because it doesn't happen with any creatures. There will be occasional fights but these will probably be little more than wings being spread and beaks open making noise. They do not seem to actively attack and harm one another.
If you think of them as children and think what they would do in similar circumstances you will find most answers about cockatiels and their behaviour are quite easy to work out. After all our pets are our kids.
I once housed 6 Tiels in one large flight cage. No problems, no fights. We currently have 2 males in the same large cage. They sometimes get uppity with each other, but otherwise, no problems yet. Make sure each one has some space to get away from the other if need be and keep an eye on them. After maturity there is no telling how they'll react, but I'd say it could be quite possible to do it without trouble.
Congrats on your birds
Cheers
Yes, I have a 5 year old male cockatiel and a 1 year old male together and they have been great friends since day one (even though I also have a female in there, all three get along, I was lucky).
Each bird is an individual so you can't guarentee certain ones getting along. But since you've already seen these two fine together, it should be alright. All cockatiels, even pairs, will bicker and get nippy every now and then. There's nothing to worry about unless they are full on fighting.
As long as the cage is large enough so that they have their own space and don't have to be anywhere near each other if they don't want, it should be fine.
To minimise fighting when they are first put into the cage together, take your cockatiel out and rearrange all perches, toys, etc to make it look like a new cage. Then your cockatiel won't be trying to defend his territory from the intruder.
I have 2 males and 2 females. The 2 males will cross paths once in awhile and they nip and squak but that seems to be pretty normal. If you take him just keep an eye on them for awhile. If possible start them out in 2 separate cages.
Good luck!!
Please take the cage along with this bird. You can't just think they will get along. Don't be lazy and think you can get out of cleaning two cages. You can't force two birds to live in the other ones cage. This is where one bird will end up dead.
They will bond and then you have two birds that will have nothing to do with you. They will speak "their" language and not your language. This is where people go wrong and then wonder why. If you take on the responsiblity of two birds, don't expect to get out of double duty. Use the two cages, clean two cages, and play with two birds, and there won't be two birds shy of double attention.
Sure they can play with each for a short period of time, but the fact still remains, it's YOUR responsibility to do what it right for "them" NOT yourself. Unless you want to buy a bigger cage, don't put them together to save yourself the trouble of cleaning two cages. Would you like me to move someone in YOUR space and FORCE you to live with someone without giving YOU respect? That's just what you are doing to your bird.
This is where birds fight and one ends up dead or blood starts to happen. Use your common sense and put yourself in your birds shoes. If you wouldn't like it, don't do it to your bird. Use the two cages, and respect YOUR bird. It will take you further then you realize.
Good Luck!
I had 4 cockatiels at once before. They all got along great but one was old and the other 3 pretty much knew each other for years. But they can get territorial. I had another 2 before and the one I had for a longer time would try to bully the newer one I just recently took in. But yeah they should be ok as long as their cage has plently of room to play in.
Answers:
Cockatiels are naturally flock creatures and do not like being alone. Once 2 birds are used to each other they usually get along fine. The one good thing about tiels is they are not vicious birds towards one another meaning it is rarely that a fight will cause serious injury to either bird.
If you get this other bird then let them interact from separate cages initially. Once they are used to each other and you decide to try them in the same cage make sure it is the largest cage you can afford. Small cages and lack of space usually results in unhappy stressed birds that do fight. They each need enoughroom to be able to get away from each other if they feel the need to. With the cage you want to put them both in make sure it is new to both birds. If it is your original birds cage then rearrange it all and maybe place it in a different position in the house. This means that neither bird has claimed it as its own and they both enter the cage as new birds. They will then find their own special places and develop a heirachy between themselves. Keep a close eye on them initially to be certain one is not being bullied or chased away from the food etc.
Just because they will then have each other for company does not mean you don't have to interact with them. Each bird still needs individual time with you and jealousy will arise if this is not done carefully. You cannot show favouritism to one and not the other. If they are just left with each other for company they will bond closer to each other than to you and will not be as friendly as pets.
Do not expect harmony all of the time because it doesn't happen with any creatures. There will be occasional fights but these will probably be little more than wings being spread and beaks open making noise. They do not seem to actively attack and harm one another.
If you think of them as children and think what they would do in similar circumstances you will find most answers about cockatiels and their behaviour are quite easy to work out. After all our pets are our kids.
I once housed 6 Tiels in one large flight cage. No problems, no fights. We currently have 2 males in the same large cage. They sometimes get uppity with each other, but otherwise, no problems yet. Make sure each one has some space to get away from the other if need be and keep an eye on them. After maturity there is no telling how they'll react, but I'd say it could be quite possible to do it without trouble.
Congrats on your birds
Cheers
Yes, I have a 5 year old male cockatiel and a 1 year old male together and they have been great friends since day one (even though I also have a female in there, all three get along, I was lucky).
Each bird is an individual so you can't guarentee certain ones getting along. But since you've already seen these two fine together, it should be alright. All cockatiels, even pairs, will bicker and get nippy every now and then. There's nothing to worry about unless they are full on fighting.
As long as the cage is large enough so that they have their own space and don't have to be anywhere near each other if they don't want, it should be fine.
To minimise fighting when they are first put into the cage together, take your cockatiel out and rearrange all perches, toys, etc to make it look like a new cage. Then your cockatiel won't be trying to defend his territory from the intruder.
I have 2 males and 2 females. The 2 males will cross paths once in awhile and they nip and squak but that seems to be pretty normal. If you take him just keep an eye on them for awhile. If possible start them out in 2 separate cages.
Good luck!!
Please take the cage along with this bird. You can't just think they will get along. Don't be lazy and think you can get out of cleaning two cages. You can't force two birds to live in the other ones cage. This is where one bird will end up dead.
They will bond and then you have two birds that will have nothing to do with you. They will speak "their" language and not your language. This is where people go wrong and then wonder why. If you take on the responsiblity of two birds, don't expect to get out of double duty. Use the two cages, clean two cages, and play with two birds, and there won't be two birds shy of double attention.
Sure they can play with each for a short period of time, but the fact still remains, it's YOUR responsibility to do what it right for "them" NOT yourself. Unless you want to buy a bigger cage, don't put them together to save yourself the trouble of cleaning two cages. Would you like me to move someone in YOUR space and FORCE you to live with someone without giving YOU respect? That's just what you are doing to your bird.
This is where birds fight and one ends up dead or blood starts to happen. Use your common sense and put yourself in your birds shoes. If you wouldn't like it, don't do it to your bird. Use the two cages, and respect YOUR bird. It will take you further then you realize.
Good Luck!
I had 4 cockatiels at once before. They all got along great but one was old and the other 3 pretty much knew each other for years. But they can get territorial. I had another 2 before and the one I had for a longer time would try to bully the newer one I just recently took in. But yeah they should be ok as long as their cage has plently of room to play in.
Can 2 budgies fit in a 7/16" pagoida style cage?
Answers:
sure they will fit in there but then again they could also fit in a bean can if you squeezed them into it, this space is not enough although they would fit
yes thats plenty enough room
they'll fit but can they move normally?
The single biggest mistake you can make is too small a cage for birds. caution on the side of overly large rather than to small.
Think of it this way, could you use a closet for your bedroom? Yes, you would fit but would it be healthy and happy?
This is too small for budgies .The cage for their sakes should be at least 24x24 or larger.Budgies are members of the parrot families and they will talk if kept separated and time is spent training. Do not use mirrors or attempt tapes for this purpose . Because their voices are so soft it has to be pretty quiet to her them often .
Do provide them with good food in addition to seed and vitamin and make a bath available. Never us ammonia or cleaning solutions around them because birds are very sensitive to all such gases emitted by these products and they can and will kill them.
NO - budgies need room to extend their wings without smacking in to the walls, perches, toys, food dishes and other birds - Like another person said - - better to be too BIG than to be too SMALL in this case!! Although square cages are not as pretty, they are the most practical.
The 7/16" only tells us the space between the bars. You do not mention the dimensions of that cage itself. Is it a square or round type padoga cage. I am guessing that by saying "pagoda" you mean a tall, round cage; but there are also roof types that people might refer to as pagoda.
In any case, I would not personally ever have another ROUND cage of any type for various reasons. I think that they are difficult to take care of because you have to take out the bottom tray and trace around it on paper to get new cage papers. With a square one you can usually just fold your newspapers to fit.
Also, birds like to have a corner area of their environment where they can go and perch for the night or a nap and feel totally safe and protected. A round cage does not provide any corner for them to go to.
Another thing, if the pagoda style you mention is a round metal top (no bars, just a roof of metal), there will not be many places to hang toys from - usually just the middle part where you can hang a swing from - and that they won't usually use because its inconvenient to get up to.
And lastly, if it is a tall, round cage, there are not enough horizonal bars for budgies to use their climbing abilities. They do like to climb and normally, even though the bar spacing is fine for them, there may only be a horizontal bar every 8-10 inches or so and it doesn't give them the chance to climb like they enjoy doing. The only thing I think these tall, round cages are good for is silk floral arrangements!
I do not feel it is fair to put a budgie (even one by itself) in anything smaller than a 19" square and at least 19-24" tall cage. As some of the other people have mentioned, you might think of how you might feel locked up in your clothes closet or a small bathroom and only allowed out when your cage keeper felt they had time to spend with you.
My BIG BEEF with these cage companies and PET STORES is that they even bother to sell the small cages that are 9" x 12" and only about 12-15" tall. It is an outrage that anyone would keep a bird (even a finch a canary) in a cage this size. They are good for nothing other than transporting a bird from home to doctor or bird sitter and should NOT be sold as a basic environment!
In this case, BIGGER is always BETTER!
Camera flash+budgie's?
Can a camera flash hurt or damage a budgie's eyes?
I was taking pictures of my budgies the other day (not right up in their faces, I was a distance away) and my camera has a flash on it, could this hurt my budgie's at all?
Thanks in advance.
Answers:
Birds have very sensitive eyes. They have much better vision they we once thought they had. Their eyes allow much more light in then our eyes do, so please be very careful when taking pictures of your birds. Try not to use the flash, and use normal day light to take pictures.
Yes you can hurt their eyes.
Good Luck!
it depends on the individual bird if he starts acting funny then take him to the vet
It couldn't damage him but probably would startle him, think of when you get your photo took and the flash goes off, you get like a light display for a couple of second after don't you? Well it would be the same for your bird but probably more frightening since he doesn't know what is happening.
I was taking pictures of my budgies the other day (not right up in their faces, I was a distance away) and my camera has a flash on it, could this hurt my budgie's at all?
Thanks in advance.
Answers:
Birds have very sensitive eyes. They have much better vision they we once thought they had. Their eyes allow much more light in then our eyes do, so please be very careful when taking pictures of your birds. Try not to use the flash, and use normal day light to take pictures.
Yes you can hurt their eyes.
Good Luck!
it depends on the individual bird if he starts acting funny then take him to the vet
It couldn't damage him but probably would startle him, think of when you get your photo took and the flash goes off, you get like a light display for a couple of second after don't you? Well it would be the same for your bird but probably more frightening since he doesn't know what is happening.
Calm Parakeet stress??
One of my two parakeets died earlier. :( -sniffle- And the second one saw, and since there were sort of like best friends, the second one became stressed. Any tips on how to lower her stress??
Answers:
it may be her griveing that is being seen as stress. in either case provied millet and try to comfert her by talking in soothing tones also let her see other birds either wild birds outside of the window or you can show a bird video.
Cover her cage for a bit and maybe consider getting her a new buddy?
my budgies love music especially country music. Loretta Lynn works well. Talk and reassure your bird, consider getting a new playmate.
GET A PET PHYSIC
You should really think about getting another one. My aunt had a parakeet die last year, and her mate died a week later. It spent that entire week calling out for his mate before dying, it was really sad.
I read that cats grieve when they lose a friend like that and get very upset if a new replacement comes in too soon. Check the web for parakeet sites that may have some information on how to deal with this.
The bird probably does not understand that its cage mate is not returning. Try to give it lots of attention. If has any favorite treats, give him some.
Mostly you have to let it grieve , and give it time to recover from the loss. Birds are a lot like people, and grieving is a natural process.
Sorry.
Maybe you should let her stay in her cage a while and not take her out all the time. That might calm her down.
Do NOT get another one right away. I did that after one of my budgies died and the female killed the new budgie because she wasnt over the other one. Take some time. To be sure watch her behavior for about a month after the death. Im serious.
-Get her a mirror to look at so she doesnt die of loneliness. -Spend more time with her
-play soft music for her to calm her down
birds can die from loneliness..so take good care of her. time will pass and it will be okay..
:)
Answers:
it may be her griveing that is being seen as stress. in either case provied millet and try to comfert her by talking in soothing tones also let her see other birds either wild birds outside of the window or you can show a bird video.
Cover her cage for a bit and maybe consider getting her a new buddy?
my budgies love music especially country music. Loretta Lynn works well. Talk and reassure your bird, consider getting a new playmate.
GET A PET PHYSIC
You should really think about getting another one. My aunt had a parakeet die last year, and her mate died a week later. It spent that entire week calling out for his mate before dying, it was really sad.
I read that cats grieve when they lose a friend like that and get very upset if a new replacement comes in too soon. Check the web for parakeet sites that may have some information on how to deal with this.
The bird probably does not understand that its cage mate is not returning. Try to give it lots of attention. If has any favorite treats, give him some.
Mostly you have to let it grieve , and give it time to recover from the loss. Birds are a lot like people, and grieving is a natural process.
Sorry.
Maybe you should let her stay in her cage a while and not take her out all the time. That might calm her down.
Do NOT get another one right away. I did that after one of my budgies died and the female killed the new budgie because she wasnt over the other one. Take some time. To be sure watch her behavior for about a month after the death. Im serious.
-Get her a mirror to look at so she doesnt die of loneliness. -Spend more time with her
-play soft music for her to calm her down
birds can die from loneliness..so take good care of her. time will pass and it will be okay..
:)
Cage Size???
My cage is 24 inches long,14 inches wide and,30 inches tall.For my next bird I would get one Cockitiel, or one Lovebird or two (maybe).Is my cage big enough for one or two Lovebirds, or one Cockitiel?
Answers:
It's big enoudh for one or two lovebirds, probably just one. The depth si too small for a tiel because tiels are 12 inches long, their tiel would get messed up. I'd just get one lovebird, because 2 will totally bond with each other rather than you. Which really isn't what you want. I'd buy one loveibrd and fll that cage with perches and toys!
The cage is not wide enough for those birds, a canary maybe, but when it comes to cage size-bigger is better, as long as the bar spacing is appropriate for that size bird ie. they can't get stuck in the bars or squeeze between them.
It's a little cramped but I'm sure a cockatiel or a lovebird would be happy with it IF they get a lot of outside time. Do not get two lovebirds though, they really make better pets alone. If you get two then they'll be aggresive towards you and it just won't work out..
Big enough for 2 lovebirds. Cockatiel needs a larger cage.
Answers:
It's big enoudh for one or two lovebirds, probably just one. The depth si too small for a tiel because tiels are 12 inches long, their tiel would get messed up. I'd just get one lovebird, because 2 will totally bond with each other rather than you. Which really isn't what you want. I'd buy one loveibrd and fll that cage with perches and toys!
The cage is not wide enough for those birds, a canary maybe, but when it comes to cage size-bigger is better, as long as the bar spacing is appropriate for that size bird ie. they can't get stuck in the bars or squeeze between them.
It's a little cramped but I'm sure a cockatiel or a lovebird would be happy with it IF they get a lot of outside time. Do not get two lovebirds though, they really make better pets alone. If you get two then they'll be aggresive towards you and it just won't work out..
Big enough for 2 lovebirds. Cockatiel needs a larger cage.
Buying a bird from petsmart?
i'm going to get a couple of finches, does petsmart take care of them, is that an ok place to buy from?
Answers:
Absolutely! They do not sell any pets that are sick or unhealthy. I know, I used to work for them and I know they adopt out any animals that have a flaw as I adopted my canaries from them. (One is a little off balance and the other had a tiny speck on his nose. Both were vet checked by my vet and they paid for it before they let them go!) My mom also paid $600 for her Senegal from them and has never had a problem ;)
Petsmart is a wonderful place and they support so many charities which is a plus in my book!
Yes, its a good place to buy them at.
yes i love pets smart thats where i go for my dog
For a cheap bird like a finch. Anywhere is fine.
Imprisoning birds is wrong. Will you let them fly? If not, that's just wrong.
"so they can't escape"
why would they want to escape? Because they are unhappy being imprisoned. Birds fly and soar and dart through the sky as free as.well.a bird....how can you cage something like that? You can thumbs down me all you want. Imprisoning birds is wrong.
Petsmart does ok taking care of finches and canaries. It's the larger parrots that usually suffer. I think that buying a few finches from Petsmart would be fine.
It is fine, and I have found with any place that you get a bird from there might be health issues. As I have gotten my birds from a local pet store, a bird breeder, and Petsmart. And they all had issues that the vet had to deal with.
If you can have them checked out with a vet is all I can really say. As I would for ANY bird I have. As a good avian vet will point out care for you as well as catch any illness. Birds will hide that they are sick as they are prey. So when you finally see that a bird is sick, it is generally very sick.
I have always had good luck with PetSmart--I have a cockatiel who was hand-raised and is very loving, and two very nice and healthy parakeets. They also offer a 14-day guarantee, and they have all their birds checked by a vet.
their animals are well caredc for and come with a good health certificate
All the birds in our local petsmart look sick. Also they charge about 3 times what you can buy from a breeder for.
Answers:
Absolutely! They do not sell any pets that are sick or unhealthy. I know, I used to work for them and I know they adopt out any animals that have a flaw as I adopted my canaries from them. (One is a little off balance and the other had a tiny speck on his nose. Both were vet checked by my vet and they paid for it before they let them go!) My mom also paid $600 for her Senegal from them and has never had a problem ;)
Petsmart is a wonderful place and they support so many charities which is a plus in my book!
Yes, its a good place to buy them at.
yes i love pets smart thats where i go for my dog
For a cheap bird like a finch. Anywhere is fine.
Imprisoning birds is wrong. Will you let them fly? If not, that's just wrong.
"so they can't escape"
why would they want to escape? Because they are unhappy being imprisoned. Birds fly and soar and dart through the sky as free as.well.a bird....how can you cage something like that? You can thumbs down me all you want. Imprisoning birds is wrong.
Petsmart does ok taking care of finches and canaries. It's the larger parrots that usually suffer. I think that buying a few finches from Petsmart would be fine.
It is fine, and I have found with any place that you get a bird from there might be health issues. As I have gotten my birds from a local pet store, a bird breeder, and Petsmart. And they all had issues that the vet had to deal with.
If you can have them checked out with a vet is all I can really say. As I would for ANY bird I have. As a good avian vet will point out care for you as well as catch any illness. Birds will hide that they are sick as they are prey. So when you finally see that a bird is sick, it is generally very sick.
I have always had good luck with PetSmart--I have a cockatiel who was hand-raised and is very loving, and two very nice and healthy parakeets. They also offer a 14-day guarantee, and they have all their birds checked by a vet.
their animals are well caredc for and come with a good health certificate
All the birds in our local petsmart look sick. Also they charge about 3 times what you can buy from a breeder for.
Button Quails?
Does anyone have any really good websites about button quails?
Answers:
I love quail, they're so cute! Especially button and courtnix quail.
I found some really good websites that may help you out.
http://www.cyberquail.com/
http://www.gamebird.com/button.html...
http://www.singing-wings-aviary.com/butt...
http://www.geocities.com/bantamroost/qua...
http://community.webshots.com/album/1631...
Hope I helped!
- Becky
Answers:
I love quail, they're so cute! Especially button and courtnix quail.
I found some really good websites that may help you out.
http://www.cyberquail.com/
http://www.gamebird.com/button.html...
http://www.singing-wings-aviary.com/butt...
http://www.geocities.com/bantamroost/qua...
http://community.webshots.com/album/1631...
Hope I helped!
- Becky
Button Quails Questions?
I am thinking of buying a pair of baby button quails. First off, could you please provide me with as much information on these birds as possible and also is it possible to breed without an incubator?
Thanks :)
Answers:
I currently have 7 chinese painted quail ("button quail") and have owned quails for 9 years.
They are adorable birds, I couldn't live without them. They are very social creatures, and it's fun watching them communicate and live with each other.
However, I've owned many different species of birds, and quails are the most vicious (to each other that is). If you have females with more than one male then watch out! Sometimes they will live peacefully, but it may be just a matter of time and the males will turn on each other. They are brutal and sometimes will fight to the death. So if your males start getting aggressive, separate them right away. I've had females that have also turned aggressive at certain times of the year but it's rarer.
What I really love about quails is building the inside of their enclosure! They love to climb and find hiding spots. I use bits of funny shaped wood, planks, concrete, bricks, etc and build their environment. Plus the more hiding places they have, the more likely they will feel comfortable about nesting.
Mine live at the bottom of my aviaries, but there are people who keep them in aquariums or indoor cages. If you are keeping them in indoor cages, you need to make sure that the roof of the cage is soft. When scared, quails fly straight up and could injure themselves if the roof is hard.
As for breeding... quails are well known for laying eggs all over the place and taking no interest in them. It is luck of the draw if you happen to get a female interested in breeding. Quails don't pair for life like some birds, so if you have lots of females and one male, he will breed with all of them (be careful if you have only one female - sometimes the male might pester her and never give her a break).
They will build a small nest out of dry grass, nesting material, etc, and lay a nest - about 5-14 eggs (I've had one sit on 14 and one still managed to hatch).
While most females will not want to breed, once you get one that does, she won't stop! So make sure she doesn't exhaust herself. And also watch that they don't inbreed. Also, the babies are tiny and can fit through most cage bars, so you will need a barrier. Baby quails are the cutest things in existance, especially the silver mutation which is all yellow as a baby. Nnnawww. But by the end of the week they have already started growing adult feathers. They also eat on their own from birth, the parents just guide them. Watch out for the father, some are good parents, while some will fling the babies around. Remove the father if he is harming the babies.
As for food, personally I feed mine 1/2 seed, 1/2 pellet mixture (small sized seeds and pellets). I also feed grated vegetables, fruit, etc. They love dandelion leaves and grass. They also like egg and biscuit mix bought at pet stores or supermarkets. And they love live food, such as mealworms, which are more as a treat. They also require grit because they swallow seeds whole. And a dish of dirt or sand so they can take dust baths.
Here is a terrific website and forum about keeping quails. A lot of people keep them inside, so it does cover that. http://www.cyberquail.com/
They're disgusting.
They're cute as babies, but they're stinky, messy, and flighty as adults. You need to make sure you have them in a cage that is tall enough so that when they spook at EVERYTHING and fly straight up into the air they don't knock themselves out (or kill themselves) by hitting the ceiling of whatever you're keeping them in.
They can be possible - but sometimes difficult - to successfully breed.
And I think you'll find after dealing with 2 you'll never want any again.
I've had up to 8 at one time and I was happier with my bantam cochin. More cuddly, less stinky, less messy, less flighty.
I loved my buttons!!
I had a big room in which I kept my parrots in their big breeder cages. They would, as parrots do, drop a lot of their food. So this naturally drew rodents. I left my buttons to "free range" on the floor of the room except for when I washing the floor about every other day (because they do still poop) so the buttons not only ate some of what the parrots threw but would hassle any rodents that tried to get into the room. It was a great system and worked beautifully!
I always just used an incubator for hatching out the eggs since it was easier and then you can hand tame them, too, so they aren't so spooky.
The one answer was definitely right they pop up and rip open their heads, give themselves brain damage, and break their necks hitting the top of their cage. What they are trying to is get away from predators since they can't really fly. One friend always padded the top of her cages for them.
As for giving you info on them there are tons and tons of great web sites out that that you can find with google.com or yahoo and there are so many I couldn't possibly get them all in here.
OH!! And fun with buttons: if you have a handful of them (two might be enough) give them one fairly round grape. As they try and get hold of this round grape they look like they are playing soccer!
Good luck and enjoy them!! I loved mine!
I have button quail as my bottom feeders. I have finches that throw their seed and the buttons feed off the dropped seed so I have no waste.
I have never "tried" to breed mine and have never used an incubator. They just do it naturally. They are usually about 1 1/2 - 2 years old before they have a successful nest. They do breed at a younger age but for some reason fail to nest properly and we lose allot of eggs. I have 6 babies running around the bottom right now... very easy to maintain.
They are so cute! babies and adults. And they make this wonderful crowing noise! They do jump in the air when frightened or trying to escape from you catching them but this is not a usual behavior so you don't have to have them in a tall cage, just give them enough room to run around and scratch the dirt. They love to roll around in the warm sand.
You will enjoy them.
Thanks :)
Answers:
I currently have 7 chinese painted quail ("button quail") and have owned quails for 9 years.
They are adorable birds, I couldn't live without them. They are very social creatures, and it's fun watching them communicate and live with each other.
However, I've owned many different species of birds, and quails are the most vicious (to each other that is). If you have females with more than one male then watch out! Sometimes they will live peacefully, but it may be just a matter of time and the males will turn on each other. They are brutal and sometimes will fight to the death. So if your males start getting aggressive, separate them right away. I've had females that have also turned aggressive at certain times of the year but it's rarer.
What I really love about quails is building the inside of their enclosure! They love to climb and find hiding spots. I use bits of funny shaped wood, planks, concrete, bricks, etc and build their environment. Plus the more hiding places they have, the more likely they will feel comfortable about nesting.
Mine live at the bottom of my aviaries, but there are people who keep them in aquariums or indoor cages. If you are keeping them in indoor cages, you need to make sure that the roof of the cage is soft. When scared, quails fly straight up and could injure themselves if the roof is hard.
As for breeding... quails are well known for laying eggs all over the place and taking no interest in them. It is luck of the draw if you happen to get a female interested in breeding. Quails don't pair for life like some birds, so if you have lots of females and one male, he will breed with all of them (be careful if you have only one female - sometimes the male might pester her and never give her a break).
They will build a small nest out of dry grass, nesting material, etc, and lay a nest - about 5-14 eggs (I've had one sit on 14 and one still managed to hatch).
While most females will not want to breed, once you get one that does, she won't stop! So make sure she doesn't exhaust herself. And also watch that they don't inbreed. Also, the babies are tiny and can fit through most cage bars, so you will need a barrier. Baby quails are the cutest things in existance, especially the silver mutation which is all yellow as a baby. Nnnawww. But by the end of the week they have already started growing adult feathers. They also eat on their own from birth, the parents just guide them. Watch out for the father, some are good parents, while some will fling the babies around. Remove the father if he is harming the babies.
As for food, personally I feed mine 1/2 seed, 1/2 pellet mixture (small sized seeds and pellets). I also feed grated vegetables, fruit, etc. They love dandelion leaves and grass. They also like egg and biscuit mix bought at pet stores or supermarkets. And they love live food, such as mealworms, which are more as a treat. They also require grit because they swallow seeds whole. And a dish of dirt or sand so they can take dust baths.
Here is a terrific website and forum about keeping quails. A lot of people keep them inside, so it does cover that. http://www.cyberquail.com/
They're disgusting.
They're cute as babies, but they're stinky, messy, and flighty as adults. You need to make sure you have them in a cage that is tall enough so that when they spook at EVERYTHING and fly straight up into the air they don't knock themselves out (or kill themselves) by hitting the ceiling of whatever you're keeping them in.
They can be possible - but sometimes difficult - to successfully breed.
And I think you'll find after dealing with 2 you'll never want any again.
I've had up to 8 at one time and I was happier with my bantam cochin. More cuddly, less stinky, less messy, less flighty.
I loved my buttons!!
I had a big room in which I kept my parrots in their big breeder cages. They would, as parrots do, drop a lot of their food. So this naturally drew rodents. I left my buttons to "free range" on the floor of the room except for when I washing the floor about every other day (because they do still poop) so the buttons not only ate some of what the parrots threw but would hassle any rodents that tried to get into the room. It was a great system and worked beautifully!
I always just used an incubator for hatching out the eggs since it was easier and then you can hand tame them, too, so they aren't so spooky.
The one answer was definitely right they pop up and rip open their heads, give themselves brain damage, and break their necks hitting the top of their cage. What they are trying to is get away from predators since they can't really fly. One friend always padded the top of her cages for them.
As for giving you info on them there are tons and tons of great web sites out that that you can find with google.com or yahoo and there are so many I couldn't possibly get them all in here.
OH!! And fun with buttons: if you have a handful of them (two might be enough) give them one fairly round grape. As they try and get hold of this round grape they look like they are playing soccer!
Good luck and enjoy them!! I loved mine!
I have button quail as my bottom feeders. I have finches that throw their seed and the buttons feed off the dropped seed so I have no waste.
I have never "tried" to breed mine and have never used an incubator. They just do it naturally. They are usually about 1 1/2 - 2 years old before they have a successful nest. They do breed at a younger age but for some reason fail to nest properly and we lose allot of eggs. I have 6 babies running around the bottom right now... very easy to maintain.
They are so cute! babies and adults. And they make this wonderful crowing noise! They do jump in the air when frightened or trying to escape from you catching them but this is not a usual behavior so you don't have to have them in a tall cage, just give them enough room to run around and scratch the dirt. They love to roll around in the warm sand.
You will enjoy them.
Button Quail Help!?
I have a pair of button Quail and have had them for 2 or 3 months. At first they were really skiddish and whenever someone came in the room, they'd run in their house.
Now they have adapted well and dont get so scared when someone enters the room, but they are not tame.I gave up on trying to tame them a long time ago. My problem now is that they dont have ANY eggs, they hade one a long time ago, after that not one egg has been seen.
What can I do to encourage them to lay eggs, I am sure they are mail and female. They get about 7 hours of direct sunlight through glass. This is probably not enough huh? I read that they need 14 hours of sun to lay eggs, is this 14 hours of direct sun rays, or just 14 hours of lighting?
Thanks for your assistance
Answers:
It's 13-14 hours of lighting. It doesn't need to be direct sunlight - and actually you wouldn't want it to be, because they'd probably overheat and die :)
Are they indoor birds or outdoor birds? There isn't much incentive to reproduce if there's only 2 feet of room to begin with.
Are you entirely sure they're male and female? Do you have any pictures? What color variety are they? With normals (and really, most varieties besides the pale colors) it's pretty easy to distinguish the two.
Are they related? If they are - whatever you do don't breed them. And if they are, this could be part of the reason they're not readily humping.
Make sure that whatever enclosure you have them in has lots and lots of cover. When I had Button Quail I bought a whole assortment of fake/real potted plants to put in the pen (a friend's father constructed a coop, of sorts, for all of them) for them to seek shelter under.
If the bottom of the enclosure is solid - make sure you have it covered with mulch or something similar - if it's wire bottomed - you need to put something inside that has mulch/bedding of some sort.
I found that with mine, they would most often lay their eggs in a small depression scooped out by the female inside of a small cat crate I'd placed inside with shavings on the inside of it.
The only thing was my birds were very young and not really 'breeding,' they were just laying as a product of being hens.. so they would sometimes also just lay a random egg here and there.
It could be that your birds are just too young, in combination with not being exposed to proper conditions suitable for breeding.
Also make sure they have a constant supply of fresh food and water. NOT JUST PELLET FOOD.
Offer them vegetables, mealworms, etc.etc. The more variety in their diet, the healthier they'll be, the more willing they'll be to try to bring more birds into the environment.
Do you want to trade? :)
I can't get my Button Quail to STOP laying eggs. She's been laying one almost every day and is up to 19 so far.
How big is their cage and what kind of cage is it?
Mine is in a 20 gallon long fish tank with a cloth cover (held on by velcro) to prevent injury when she 'boinks'...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p2gvd63a...
Now they have adapted well and dont get so scared when someone enters the room, but they are not tame.I gave up on trying to tame them a long time ago. My problem now is that they dont have ANY eggs, they hade one a long time ago, after that not one egg has been seen.
What can I do to encourage them to lay eggs, I am sure they are mail and female. They get about 7 hours of direct sunlight through glass. This is probably not enough huh? I read that they need 14 hours of sun to lay eggs, is this 14 hours of direct sun rays, or just 14 hours of lighting?
Thanks for your assistance
Answers:
It's 13-14 hours of lighting. It doesn't need to be direct sunlight - and actually you wouldn't want it to be, because they'd probably overheat and die :)
Are they indoor birds or outdoor birds? There isn't much incentive to reproduce if there's only 2 feet of room to begin with.
Are you entirely sure they're male and female? Do you have any pictures? What color variety are they? With normals (and really, most varieties besides the pale colors) it's pretty easy to distinguish the two.
Are they related? If they are - whatever you do don't breed them. And if they are, this could be part of the reason they're not readily humping.
Make sure that whatever enclosure you have them in has lots and lots of cover. When I had Button Quail I bought a whole assortment of fake/real potted plants to put in the pen (a friend's father constructed a coop, of sorts, for all of them) for them to seek shelter under.
If the bottom of the enclosure is solid - make sure you have it covered with mulch or something similar - if it's wire bottomed - you need to put something inside that has mulch/bedding of some sort.
I found that with mine, they would most often lay their eggs in a small depression scooped out by the female inside of a small cat crate I'd placed inside with shavings on the inside of it.
The only thing was my birds were very young and not really 'breeding,' they were just laying as a product of being hens.. so they would sometimes also just lay a random egg here and there.
It could be that your birds are just too young, in combination with not being exposed to proper conditions suitable for breeding.
Also make sure they have a constant supply of fresh food and water. NOT JUST PELLET FOOD.
Offer them vegetables, mealworms, etc.etc. The more variety in their diet, the healthier they'll be, the more willing they'll be to try to bring more birds into the environment.
Do you want to trade? :)
I can't get my Button Quail to STOP laying eggs. She's been laying one almost every day and is up to 19 so far.
How big is their cage and what kind of cage is it?
Mine is in a 20 gallon long fish tank with a cloth cover (held on by velcro) to prevent injury when she 'boinks'...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p2gvd63a...
Budgies? (parakeets)?
I want a budgie but I am trying to decide if they make good pets.
I think they do because they are the most popular type of bird, and people wouldn't buy them if they weren't good pets right?
I know most of them don't learn to talk...but can whistle and learn other tricks.
But I want to know if they are easy to train, make great pets, and where to buy them from.
Thanks!
Answers:
Budgies are great pets, believe me I have one!
You are correct, they are the most popular companion bird, and for a reason.
Males can be great talkers if you teach them, but their voices may be hard to hear. Yeah, they can whistle and do some tricks.
They are easy to train if you work diligently and if you research their behavior well!!
You can buy them at pet stores for about $20 (thats what I did), but a better route you can take is to buy a hand fed one from a breeder. It may cost more but they are usually more tame!!
yes budgies make a great pet. They are easy to tame and will happily just sit there on your shoulders. I have a blue budgie and his name is "budgie" LoL. He is very good at talking. In fact, in the guiness book of world record, a budgie holds the record for most vocabulary, and not a african grey! They are also very good at tricks. Go on youtube.com and type in parakeet tricks. They have some pretty cool vids on there. They are not very expensive so you could get one from petsmart or petco (only to save them from those places)
They are also very loving and very curious and likes to get into lots of trouble. Good luck!! oh, you should do research on them too but I'll give you some info. Younger birds still have their stripes across their heads and older budgies don't have those stripes on their foreheads any more. Also, to tell the sexes are pretty easy. Males have a blue nose and females have a pinkish-brown nose. Hopes this helps!
To be honest, people buy them because they are cheap. That being said, yes, they do make good pets. But like any pet, it will require attention to train, and to continue to have one that is hand friendly. If a bird does not have constant attention, it will no longer be hand friendly, and will prefer being inside its cage. Make sure you have the time for it, but if you do, I am sure you will enjoy having a Budgie. We have 12 of them, and they are a great joy to watch and interact with each day. They can actually learn to talk, although it is very hard to teach them. But if you spend the time working on it, they will learn quite a bit. Budgies are much smarter than people think.
actually, if you get one you can teach it to talk. They don't speak in a really clear voice but i have read that they can learn almost as many words as an african grey, and use them in an appropriate manner.
If you get two they will bond to each other, not you. On the other hand, they are flock birds, so if you aren't going to be able to spend a lot of time with them, get two so they will keep eachother company.
they really are neat birds, and make a constant chattering noise, which i found to be soothing.
yes buy a budgie i have 2 and i had 3...
but only buy 1 because the first one i got is trained but the second and the third only listen to other birds on owner.. take my advise GET THE BUDGIES
I got a parakeet wen I was 7 at the mane mall and it died soon after buying it be cause its vent feathers were dirty
so always check for clean white vent feathers.
so I bot another parakeet and it was pretty hard to Tran it
not to bite and to do tricks like peekaboo and a lot more.
and as for talking mi parakeet was considered Highly gifted saying words like pretty parakeet and good night Birdie.
so all in all I think parakeets make grate pets.
and I did get my parakeet from a bad pet store were the parakeet Cage was open for people to reach there hands in and make the parakeets get sick so try to avoid this wen choosing a pet store.
Hope This Helps!
I think they do because they are the most popular type of bird, and people wouldn't buy them if they weren't good pets right?
I know most of them don't learn to talk...but can whistle and learn other tricks.
But I want to know if they are easy to train, make great pets, and where to buy them from.
Thanks!
Answers:
Budgies are great pets, believe me I have one!
You are correct, they are the most popular companion bird, and for a reason.
Males can be great talkers if you teach them, but their voices may be hard to hear. Yeah, they can whistle and do some tricks.
They are easy to train if you work diligently and if you research their behavior well!!
You can buy them at pet stores for about $20 (thats what I did), but a better route you can take is to buy a hand fed one from a breeder. It may cost more but they are usually more tame!!
yes budgies make a great pet. They are easy to tame and will happily just sit there on your shoulders. I have a blue budgie and his name is "budgie" LoL. He is very good at talking. In fact, in the guiness book of world record, a budgie holds the record for most vocabulary, and not a african grey! They are also very good at tricks. Go on youtube.com and type in parakeet tricks. They have some pretty cool vids on there. They are not very expensive so you could get one from petsmart or petco (only to save them from those places)
They are also very loving and very curious and likes to get into lots of trouble. Good luck!! oh, you should do research on them too but I'll give you some info. Younger birds still have their stripes across their heads and older budgies don't have those stripes on their foreheads any more. Also, to tell the sexes are pretty easy. Males have a blue nose and females have a pinkish-brown nose. Hopes this helps!
To be honest, people buy them because they are cheap. That being said, yes, they do make good pets. But like any pet, it will require attention to train, and to continue to have one that is hand friendly. If a bird does not have constant attention, it will no longer be hand friendly, and will prefer being inside its cage. Make sure you have the time for it, but if you do, I am sure you will enjoy having a Budgie. We have 12 of them, and they are a great joy to watch and interact with each day. They can actually learn to talk, although it is very hard to teach them. But if you spend the time working on it, they will learn quite a bit. Budgies are much smarter than people think.
actually, if you get one you can teach it to talk. They don't speak in a really clear voice but i have read that they can learn almost as many words as an african grey, and use them in an appropriate manner.
If you get two they will bond to each other, not you. On the other hand, they are flock birds, so if you aren't going to be able to spend a lot of time with them, get two so they will keep eachother company.
they really are neat birds, and make a constant chattering noise, which i found to be soothing.
yes buy a budgie i have 2 and i had 3...
but only buy 1 because the first one i got is trained but the second and the third only listen to other birds on owner.. take my advise GET THE BUDGIES
I got a parakeet wen I was 7 at the mane mall and it died soon after buying it be cause its vent feathers were dirty
so always check for clean white vent feathers.
so I bot another parakeet and it was pretty hard to Tran it
not to bite and to do tricks like peekaboo and a lot more.
and as for talking mi parakeet was considered Highly gifted saying words like pretty parakeet and good night Birdie.
so all in all I think parakeets make grate pets.
and I did get my parakeet from a bad pet store were the parakeet Cage was open for people to reach there hands in and make the parakeets get sick so try to avoid this wen choosing a pet store.
Hope This Helps!
Budgies/Parakeets throwing eggs out of nest box?
Every time I try to breed them, I think its the male that goes into the box and throws the eggs out. I have seen him go in and I have heard the hen rolling the eggs around in there and making quite a racket, whos doing it and how can I stop it and breed them succesfully?
Is it the male who wants to keep mating so he throws the eggs out?
It goes fine for maybe a week and then they kill them, its very upsetting because the eggs break and I can see the chicks inside.
They are in a very large cage.
How can I stop this??
Answers:
Many times eggs will be thrown from the nest if they are infertile or dead. Are you sure that you are giving your birds a diet which has all the nutrients needed to ensure healthy egg laying?
Are you giving extra calcium?
Have you checked the vitamin and mineral requirements for healthy eggs?
If you have done these things and are giving a proper diet and a proper nesting box environment, then you have a real mystery.
Good luck.
I don't blame him, I hate a lumpy bed.
My husband, who used to breed birds (at one time he had over 200) said that he's doing this either because a) there is something wrong with the egg, or b) there is something wrong with the conditions of the cage/nesting box. There's really not much you can do to stop it. Good luck.
Is it the male who wants to keep mating so he throws the eggs out?
It goes fine for maybe a week and then they kill them, its very upsetting because the eggs break and I can see the chicks inside.
They are in a very large cage.
How can I stop this??
Answers:
Many times eggs will be thrown from the nest if they are infertile or dead. Are you sure that you are giving your birds a diet which has all the nutrients needed to ensure healthy egg laying?
Are you giving extra calcium?
Have you checked the vitamin and mineral requirements for healthy eggs?
If you have done these things and are giving a proper diet and a proper nesting box environment, then you have a real mystery.
Good luck.
I don't blame him, I hate a lumpy bed.
My husband, who used to breed birds (at one time he had over 200) said that he's doing this either because a) there is something wrong with the egg, or b) there is something wrong with the conditions of the cage/nesting box. There's really not much you can do to stop it. Good luck.
BUdgie's wing trimming question.?
I cut my budgie's wings.the first 4-5 outer feathers. But now she flies and it makes a funny sound. She lands a bit with a thud...I dont understand. I didnt cut their glide feathers and I didnt cut too much. Dont say ''you're evil you should go to a vet.'' Im just wondering. any tips?
Answers:
It sounds like you trimmed her a little bit too much, they shouldn't be landing with a thud. They should be able to 'fly' enough so that they don't fall miserably to the floor. It's fine for now, don't worry to much. Just try not to let her fall from heights too often and she should be fine.
You did it right.
you did it perfectly fine, its just, i cut my budies wings all the time, and the reason why she/he lands with a thud was because she uses she feathers (the ones most people cut off)
to land without smacking their bodies.And the funny sound is no ab-normal, she/hes flapping her wings faster than he/she normaly does. She/he is just fine, it will just take him/her some time to get used to, thats all.
Don't clip their wings, it's pointless and you could do more damage than good. If you wanted an animal that didn't fly you shouldn't have got a bird.
Answers:
It sounds like you trimmed her a little bit too much, they shouldn't be landing with a thud. They should be able to 'fly' enough so that they don't fall miserably to the floor. It's fine for now, don't worry to much. Just try not to let her fall from heights too often and she should be fine.
You did it right.
you did it perfectly fine, its just, i cut my budies wings all the time, and the reason why she/he lands with a thud was because she uses she feathers (the ones most people cut off)
to land without smacking their bodies.And the funny sound is no ab-normal, she/hes flapping her wings faster than he/she normaly does. She/he is just fine, it will just take him/her some time to get used to, thats all.
Don't clip their wings, it's pointless and you could do more damage than good. If you wanted an animal that didn't fly you shouldn't have got a bird.
Budgie's sex?
when i was buying my budgies the guy who works there blew on the bird's butt to find out if he is male or female. Then i tried it to see if i can see anything and I cant. is there any other way to tell their sex besides the cere?
Answers:
Males: A male budgie will bob its head often while it sings and moves back and forth on its perch. This is their mating dance and many young males will practice this behavior.
Females: A female budgie will sing less or cannot make vocal variations like the males. Instead, they will mostly make loud chips and calls; very rarely will they sing. A female budgie can show signs of being territorial by becoming bossy towards their owners or other birds.
the only other way i can think of is to have them sexed by a vet... they can do this my taking blood samples from their blood feathers and it is 100% accurate... good luck!
Guys = blue noses above the beak
Girls = Brown noses above the beak
You cant see anything in the butt.
You'd have to bring the bird to the vet and they take a blood test to find out the sex but ask them first how old the bird has to be before they can give the bird a blood test.
Good luck!
Look above their beak. If it's pink, it's most likely a girl. If it's blue, it's most likely a boy. But the only way to know for sure if to get a DNA test from the vet. I think the guy at the store just liked blowing on the bird's butt. Haha. If anyone else has heard of that way of sexing, I'd like to know.
The only thing I can think of is to look at the cere (where the nostils are located). If it is purple or blue, its male. If it is a white, tan, or pinkish color, its female.
You can also tell the age by the head. The bars on the crest will tell you. The more bars leading up to the beak and cere, the younger the bird. The less bars, the older. Where the bars shoudl be will instead by a pure white.
Or you can get it DNA tested, but the cheapest way is to just look at the head.
it really easy to tell. if it has brown above the beak it's a girl. if it has blue above the beak it's a blue.
Yep. It is much easier. You look at the cere or nose on top of the budgies beak if it is a male it should be blue if it is a female it should have a tan cere.
Answers:
Males: A male budgie will bob its head often while it sings and moves back and forth on its perch. This is their mating dance and many young males will practice this behavior.
Females: A female budgie will sing less or cannot make vocal variations like the males. Instead, they will mostly make loud chips and calls; very rarely will they sing. A female budgie can show signs of being territorial by becoming bossy towards their owners or other birds.
the only other way i can think of is to have them sexed by a vet... they can do this my taking blood samples from their blood feathers and it is 100% accurate... good luck!
Guys = blue noses above the beak
Girls = Brown noses above the beak
You cant see anything in the butt.
You'd have to bring the bird to the vet and they take a blood test to find out the sex but ask them first how old the bird has to be before they can give the bird a blood test.
Good luck!
Look above their beak. If it's pink, it's most likely a girl. If it's blue, it's most likely a boy. But the only way to know for sure if to get a DNA test from the vet. I think the guy at the store just liked blowing on the bird's butt. Haha. If anyone else has heard of that way of sexing, I'd like to know.
The only thing I can think of is to look at the cere (where the nostils are located). If it is purple or blue, its male. If it is a white, tan, or pinkish color, its female.
You can also tell the age by the head. The bars on the crest will tell you. The more bars leading up to the beak and cere, the younger the bird. The less bars, the older. Where the bars shoudl be will instead by a pure white.
Or you can get it DNA tested, but the cheapest way is to just look at the head.
it really easy to tell. if it has brown above the beak it's a girl. if it has blue above the beak it's a blue.
Yep. It is much easier. You look at the cere or nose on top of the budgies beak if it is a male it should be blue if it is a female it should have a tan cere.
Budgies not talking?
i have had my budgie for a while now and i taught him how to say heaps of stuff. he used to talk and chirp all day every day and now over the past few days he hasnt been talking or chirping at all. he is also constantly puffed up. hes poo is normal and hes eating NOT STOP! and drinking fine. please help! thanks in advance
Answers:
Usually if a bird stops talking/chirping, its a good indication all is NOT well. It could just be your bird is about to moult,sometimes they "puff"up because they feel off colour.Moulting is a stressful time for a bird.That said. ANY change in your birds normal behaviour needs assessing by a vet. Its important to take your bird as soon as possible,delay could affect your birds health...
Being puffed up is a sign that he is not feeling well.
We have a lot of birds, some of which are English Budgies and when one is puffed out we place them in a hospital cage. Basically it is a cage that has extra heat. Just be sure to monitor the heat so that he isnt getting too hot and make sure he has enough water.
As he seems to be eating and drinking okay, things are not looking real serious except for the puffiness.
Birds are great at hiding if they are not feeling well, I would suggest a vet.
Answers:
Usually if a bird stops talking/chirping, its a good indication all is NOT well. It could just be your bird is about to moult,sometimes they "puff"up because they feel off colour.Moulting is a stressful time for a bird.That said. ANY change in your birds normal behaviour needs assessing by a vet. Its important to take your bird as soon as possible,delay could affect your birds health...
Being puffed up is a sign that he is not feeling well.
We have a lot of birds, some of which are English Budgies and when one is puffed out we place them in a hospital cage. Basically it is a cage that has extra heat. Just be sure to monitor the heat so that he isnt getting too hot and make sure he has enough water.
As he seems to be eating and drinking okay, things are not looking real serious except for the puffiness.
Birds are great at hiding if they are not feeling well, I would suggest a vet.
Budgies chirp?
Do budgies chirp and sing a lot during the day, because mine is very quite, he still traying to adjust to his new home im traying hard to geting him to like me but no responses yet he is very scared when i tray to get closer to his cage!!is driving me nuts!!
I got him 4 days a go and no signs of happines yet it is normal? how long will take him?
Answers:
If he is really scared then you need to take it slow with him. Talk to him while you are around the cage, even just walking past.
Put on some music (low) so it isn't silent, for that means danger in a budgie world. Some enjoy the music and will try to 'sing' over it.
Normally they are settled after a week or two.
Once he gets more comfortable and more mature, he will most likely start chiping more. Mine sure did.
I will take maybe a month, or a few weeks, not a few days :/
when he is happy, he will be very vocal.
dont worry, give him some time and he will be fine.
Budgies need a lot of attention, so talk to him and spend time with him.
When he gets used to the new home, maybe even let him fly around a bit
They all have their own personalities like people. It is possible that you have yourself a quiet one.
As long as he isn't showing other signs of stress or illness (i.e., pulling feathers, goopy nose or eyes, vomiting, etc.) then he's fine. If you see any of these kinds of signs, however, take him to the vet ASAP!
i currently got a budgie and it was staying in the same spot for nights and was quiet. my bird took about two weeks for it to adjust to his home. for the first few days you can change the food and water and your parakeet will watch. dont skip ahead and rush it. talk to it and put your hand near the cage until they get used to it and dont fly around like a maniac.
http://www.lisashea.com/petinfo/budgie.h...
i think that site is the best place where you can learn about parakeets! good luck :)
They are not constant chatterboxes, but will chirp occasionally during the day. They bond (either to other birds or to humans), so if he/she doesn't have a cagemate make sure to interact with him for about 1hr./day (mostly by talking). Adjustment to new surroundings often takes several weeks, so keep at it.
yes its normal, The first budgie i got took almost 2 1/2 weeks to get settled into the new environment
each bird is differnt, the second one i just got on aug 5th, had no problems adjusting at all
Talk to yours while it's in it's cage, talk nice, in a calm soft voice and talk to it every single time you go to feed/ water him, Before you stick your hands in, While your hands are in the cage and after also
it'll take a while for him to trust you but he will, as long as you're nice to him
I got him 4 days a go and no signs of happines yet it is normal? how long will take him?
Answers:
If he is really scared then you need to take it slow with him. Talk to him while you are around the cage, even just walking past.
Put on some music (low) so it isn't silent, for that means danger in a budgie world. Some enjoy the music and will try to 'sing' over it.
Normally they are settled after a week or two.
Once he gets more comfortable and more mature, he will most likely start chiping more. Mine sure did.
I will take maybe a month, or a few weeks, not a few days :/
when he is happy, he will be very vocal.
dont worry, give him some time and he will be fine.
Budgies need a lot of attention, so talk to him and spend time with him.
When he gets used to the new home, maybe even let him fly around a bit
They all have their own personalities like people. It is possible that you have yourself a quiet one.
As long as he isn't showing other signs of stress or illness (i.e., pulling feathers, goopy nose or eyes, vomiting, etc.) then he's fine. If you see any of these kinds of signs, however, take him to the vet ASAP!
i currently got a budgie and it was staying in the same spot for nights and was quiet. my bird took about two weeks for it to adjust to his home. for the first few days you can change the food and water and your parakeet will watch. dont skip ahead and rush it. talk to it and put your hand near the cage until they get used to it and dont fly around like a maniac.
http://www.lisashea.com/petinfo/budgie.h...
i think that site is the best place where you can learn about parakeets! good luck :)
They are not constant chatterboxes, but will chirp occasionally during the day. They bond (either to other birds or to humans), so if he/she doesn't have a cagemate make sure to interact with him for about 1hr./day (mostly by talking). Adjustment to new surroundings often takes several weeks, so keep at it.
yes its normal, The first budgie i got took almost 2 1/2 weeks to get settled into the new environment
each bird is differnt, the second one i just got on aug 5th, had no problems adjusting at all
Talk to yours while it's in it's cage, talk nice, in a calm soft voice and talk to it every single time you go to feed/ water him, Before you stick your hands in, While your hands are in the cage and after also
it'll take a while for him to trust you but he will, as long as you're nice to him
Budgie???
I found a budgie i have it's food, cage, toys, treats etc. but I would like to learn more about them. Please help me?
Answers:
Available At All Times:
* Half seed, half pellet mixed together
* Egg and Biscuit Dry Mix (with a very tiny bit of hand rearing formula mixed in)
* Cuttlefish bone
Breakfast:
Cooked brown rice, Cooked pasta, Cereal (Just Right, VitaBrits or Cheerios), Apple, with any of the following that I have at the time:
* Green peas
* Carrot
* Banana
* Grapes
* Broccoli
* Cucumber
* Green Beans
* Canned apricot or pears
* Spinach (only a little bit)
* Orange (only a little bit)
* Tomato
* Pineapple (only a little bit)
* Corn
* Dandelion Leaves
* Grass
* Lettuce (only a tiny bit.. mostly there just to encourage them to eat all the other veges mixed with it)
Dinner (about 5:00pm):
Dog biscuits (little bit), Grated Cheese (little bit), a little bit of a vegetable with any of the following I have at the time:
* Eggs (including shell)
* Cooked Meat (red, poultry, or fish)
* Whole wheat toast
Food Dos
Mangoes- Peeled %26 diced
Blueberries
Cranberries
Sweet Potatoes
Corn-on-the-Cob
Carrots
Peas
Pomegranates
Sprouts
Broccoli
Kale
Bananas
Cooked Pasta
Cooked Beans
Cooked Eggs
WELLCOOKED Meat
Donts
Chocolate
Avocado
Rhubarb
Pickels
Prossed Meat
Fried Foods
Milk or Milk Products
Mayo
Onions
Garlic
Uncooked Meat or Fish
When To See a Vet
1] If your birds toenails are very overgrown and curling
under. This could be a sign of mites, foot deiese or nutritional disorder.
2] If your birds beak is widely overgrown and is curling
in on its self, or is strange looking and bumpy.
3] If your bird is over grooming.
4] If there are bald patches where feathers where
before.
5] If molting last more than a month or two.
6] If there is a big color change
Hope this helps and email with any questions,
Cockatiel Expert
go to your local pet store and pick up a book all about parakeet's. In their they'll thell you proper diet, lifespan, games to play, origin etc.
The bird should be on a pelleted diet. I recommend Zupreem Avian Maintenance for parakeets. Also fresh fruits and vegi's on a daily basis.
Super foods:
Yams
Squash
Spinach
Mustard Greens
Collard Greens
No No's:
Alcohol
Smoke of any kind
sugar
salt
Teflon coated pans (birds should be in another room when cooking with these. The fumes are highly toxic)
I agree with lindsay.
A couple additions I would make are:
NO chocolate, coffee or avocado. They are poisonous to these birds and all of the parrot family.
No air fresheners, scented candles room deodorizers, or perfumes. These also can be toxic. Not all are toxic, but is it worth the risk to find out??
Books are a great idea.
You might also consider joining a Yahoo group for bird lovers. If you E-mail me I can suggest a very good group with a large library, and lots of helpful loving bird owners who will answer any questions!
Good luck!
Go down to the pet store and purchase a $5 pamphlet on parakeets.
When i first got my birds(and before that) i went on the internet for ours you just search for "budgies" and it will come up with heaps i really enjoyed making toys for them and i found this site-
http://www.birdsnways.com/birds/ideas.ht...
Hi there, I have a budgie that is around 4 years old. I have joined a couple of internet groups and am still learning alot from them. One of the groups is "Feeding feathers" where you can find out what the ideal diet is. They DO NOT recommend pellets for budgies. I feed mine budgie seed mix and veggys. A bird on an all seed (or pellet) diet has a much shorter life expectancy. Another group I belong to, and is more casual is "Budgie Place", you can ask anything that concerns you on there. I also found a site (You don't have to join this one) www.tailfeathersnetwork.com. This is full of information on a variety of topics. I would start there, learn as much as you can, then join a group. They need a cuttle bone in their cage (mine has a mineral block surrounding it), and they need plenty of exercise. (out of cage time). Mine talks like crazy and has become an important part of our family, I'm sure you will fall in love with yours too! Hope this helped, good luck!
Answers:
Available At All Times:
* Half seed, half pellet mixed together
* Egg and Biscuit Dry Mix (with a very tiny bit of hand rearing formula mixed in)
* Cuttlefish bone
Breakfast:
Cooked brown rice, Cooked pasta, Cereal (Just Right, VitaBrits or Cheerios), Apple, with any of the following that I have at the time:
* Green peas
* Carrot
* Banana
* Grapes
* Broccoli
* Cucumber
* Green Beans
* Canned apricot or pears
* Spinach (only a little bit)
* Orange (only a little bit)
* Tomato
* Pineapple (only a little bit)
* Corn
* Dandelion Leaves
* Grass
* Lettuce (only a tiny bit.. mostly there just to encourage them to eat all the other veges mixed with it)
Dinner (about 5:00pm):
Dog biscuits (little bit), Grated Cheese (little bit), a little bit of a vegetable with any of the following I have at the time:
* Eggs (including shell)
* Cooked Meat (red, poultry, or fish)
* Whole wheat toast
Food Dos
Mangoes- Peeled %26 diced
Blueberries
Cranberries
Sweet Potatoes
Corn-on-the-Cob
Carrots
Peas
Pomegranates
Sprouts
Broccoli
Kale
Bananas
Cooked Pasta
Cooked Beans
Cooked Eggs
WELLCOOKED Meat
Donts
Chocolate
Avocado
Rhubarb
Pickels
Prossed Meat
Fried Foods
Milk or Milk Products
Mayo
Onions
Garlic
Uncooked Meat or Fish
When To See a Vet
1] If your birds toenails are very overgrown and curling
under. This could be a sign of mites, foot deiese or nutritional disorder.
2] If your birds beak is widely overgrown and is curling
in on its self, or is strange looking and bumpy.
3] If your bird is over grooming.
4] If there are bald patches where feathers where
before.
5] If molting last more than a month or two.
6] If there is a big color change
Hope this helps and email with any questions,
Cockatiel Expert
go to your local pet store and pick up a book all about parakeet's. In their they'll thell you proper diet, lifespan, games to play, origin etc.
The bird should be on a pelleted diet. I recommend Zupreem Avian Maintenance for parakeets. Also fresh fruits and vegi's on a daily basis.
Super foods:
Yams
Squash
Spinach
Mustard Greens
Collard Greens
No No's:
Alcohol
Smoke of any kind
sugar
salt
Teflon coated pans (birds should be in another room when cooking with these. The fumes are highly toxic)
I agree with lindsay.
A couple additions I would make are:
NO chocolate, coffee or avocado. They are poisonous to these birds and all of the parrot family.
No air fresheners, scented candles room deodorizers, or perfumes. These also can be toxic. Not all are toxic, but is it worth the risk to find out??
Books are a great idea.
You might also consider joining a Yahoo group for bird lovers. If you E-mail me I can suggest a very good group with a large library, and lots of helpful loving bird owners who will answer any questions!
Good luck!
Go down to the pet store and purchase a $5 pamphlet on parakeets.
When i first got my birds(and before that) i went on the internet for ours you just search for "budgies" and it will come up with heaps i really enjoyed making toys for them and i found this site-
http://www.birdsnways.com/birds/ideas.ht...
Hi there, I have a budgie that is around 4 years old. I have joined a couple of internet groups and am still learning alot from them. One of the groups is "Feeding feathers" where you can find out what the ideal diet is. They DO NOT recommend pellets for budgies. I feed mine budgie seed mix and veggys. A bird on an all seed (or pellet) diet has a much shorter life expectancy. Another group I belong to, and is more casual is "Budgie Place", you can ask anything that concerns you on there. I also found a site (You don't have to join this one) www.tailfeathersnetwork.com. This is full of information on a variety of topics. I would start there, learn as much as you can, then join a group. They need a cuttle bone in their cage (mine has a mineral block surrounding it), and they need plenty of exercise. (out of cage time). Mine talks like crazy and has become an important part of our family, I'm sure you will fall in love with yours too! Hope this helped, good luck!
Budgie/parakeet owners?
hey everyone! well once again i have some questions about my budgie!ok 1. when i got my budgie i was told that it was male, and a few weeks after that i noticed that their was alot of brown around his nostrils,(his cere)so i assumed that Gizmo(that's his name)was female! however, three days ago i took him into my bathroom to let him splash around in the shower,which he loves to do, and when i took him out i noticed that all the brown was gone! his cere was now a lightish blue! i absolutely could not believe that! so i was wondering what on earth was all that brown stuff? was it the dust stuff from his food? and has that ever happened to you? 2. gizmo is now 4 months old and his cere still hasn't turned ''fully blue'' so exactly how much longer until that happens? thanks i appreciate it!
Answers:
Stange. I breed budgies for 11 years and I never seen or heard that before
Maybe it was scaly face? because its sometimes white or brown but it stays on and builds up until you put vaseline on it to make it stop growing and killing the mites
Glad its off now
it depends how old ur parakeet is. if u just got it and its a baby theres nohting to worry about. a babys parakeets cere changes color all the time. eventully it will settle on a color as it gets older. a blueish purple cere means its male. a brown white or pink cere means its a female.
You have a hen that I would state is older than 4 months. Budgies only just start getting a dark blue for males and a brown crusty cere for females around this time.
It is normal for a hen to lose the brown colour of the cere and become a pale blue in colour. This means she is not in breeding condition at this time. In another few months she should regain the brown cere. Some can take a bit longer to come back into condition other shorter.
Make sure she has a source of calcium, such as a cuttlefish bone as well as a mineral block to chew on.
Many times buyers are told they have a male bird when in fact it is a young female. Young budgie males have a bright pink cere not a blue one.
Answers:
Stange. I breed budgies for 11 years and I never seen or heard that before
Maybe it was scaly face? because its sometimes white or brown but it stays on and builds up until you put vaseline on it to make it stop growing and killing the mites
Glad its off now
it depends how old ur parakeet is. if u just got it and its a baby theres nohting to worry about. a babys parakeets cere changes color all the time. eventully it will settle on a color as it gets older. a blueish purple cere means its male. a brown white or pink cere means its a female.
You have a hen that I would state is older than 4 months. Budgies only just start getting a dark blue for males and a brown crusty cere for females around this time.
It is normal for a hen to lose the brown colour of the cere and become a pale blue in colour. This means she is not in breeding condition at this time. In another few months she should regain the brown cere. Some can take a bit longer to come back into condition other shorter.
Make sure she has a source of calcium, such as a cuttlefish bone as well as a mineral block to chew on.
Many times buyers are told they have a male bird when in fact it is a young female. Young budgie males have a bright pink cere not a blue one.
Budgie with a cere problem?
My 5 year old budgie has what looks to be crusty dirt around the edge of her cere..she has never had anything there since I have had her.there are no vets near me tha deal with exotics, and ideas?
Answers:
This is normal. The older a female budgie gets, the direr her cere gets. One of the indicators that a budgie it a female is the crustiness as a matter of fact. The reason a female's cere is pink or tan is that it has less blood vessels, so it gets dried out, like a fingernail. A male;s is blue or purple because it is full of blood vessels, and it will not dry out.
Its possibly scaly face - mites makes scabs with little holes everywhere - I just hold the budgie and put vaseline on nose and fee - it to sufucate the mites - careful not to put it on the nostrils because she will not be able to breath - just on the crusty bits - after you put vaseline on she will scratch her beak on the perches to get it off, so just put some more on later before you go bed.
Hope this ok
I have 14 budgies that are 5 1/2 years old and their beaks are perfect
This means she is going to lay eggs. Remove from her cage what is promoting her to lay NOW!! By this i mean, a male or if he is near by, a mirror, a bobbing bird, happy hut, or nest box. You never want to promote laying in any bird. This some times and often kills hens.
Stop the stimulation of egg laying. If her cage is near a window, move the cage. If you see her trying to build a nest in the corner of her cage, take small drinking glasses and place them in the corners of her cage.
Never pet her down her back either. This also stimulates them. At her age, i'd be more concerned about Yolk Peritonitis, considering this is her first time laying.
Good Luck!
Answers:
This is normal. The older a female budgie gets, the direr her cere gets. One of the indicators that a budgie it a female is the crustiness as a matter of fact. The reason a female's cere is pink or tan is that it has less blood vessels, so it gets dried out, like a fingernail. A male;s is blue or purple because it is full of blood vessels, and it will not dry out.
Its possibly scaly face - mites makes scabs with little holes everywhere - I just hold the budgie and put vaseline on nose and fee - it to sufucate the mites - careful not to put it on the nostrils because she will not be able to breath - just on the crusty bits - after you put vaseline on she will scratch her beak on the perches to get it off, so just put some more on later before you go bed.
Hope this ok
I have 14 budgies that are 5 1/2 years old and their beaks are perfect
This means she is going to lay eggs. Remove from her cage what is promoting her to lay NOW!! By this i mean, a male or if he is near by, a mirror, a bobbing bird, happy hut, or nest box. You never want to promote laying in any bird. This some times and often kills hens.
Stop the stimulation of egg laying. If her cage is near a window, move the cage. If you see her trying to build a nest in the corner of her cage, take small drinking glasses and place them in the corners of her cage.
Never pet her down her back either. This also stimulates them. At her age, i'd be more concerned about Yolk Peritonitis, considering this is her first time laying.
Good Luck!
Budgie vs. finch~please answer?
I want to get a bird to keep my cockatiel company while im at school during the day time, i was thinking of a couple of finches in the cage next to her, but i also want to be able to hold the bird i get...I don't want to have to give up time playing with the cockatiel by spending it with the new bird
Do you think i should get a budgie, or a couple of finches to live in the cage next to my cockatiel to keep her company
and ifi get a budgie, can their wings be clipped?
Answers:
u should definately get a budgie. they are way more calm and tame. i think finches are too wild and can't be held. budgies wings can be clipped, but be sure to ask the people at the petstore to show u how.
budgies are prettier for the most part. they can also learn to talk. and all finches do is fly around their cages. u will see what i mean when u go to the petstore and see the budgies calmly sitting and playing with their toys. the finches will most likely be flapping around like an insane creature
if u do get a budgie, be sure to get a young one. the young ones are easier to train to sit on your finger. the young budgies will have small stripes from the back of their head all they way to their beak
good luck!
Shelby - Shelby. You need to make a decision. You've gone from other cockatiels to conures to quakers and now budgies versus finches.
A budgie would be the better choice if you want a bird you can handle and the budgie might even be able to share a cage with the cockatiel eventually.
Finches are NOT birds to be held. They come in many beautiful color varieties and most of the males have great singing abilities but they should be left to fly around in a large flight cage, not a smaller cage since they don't have the climbing ability that parrot-type birds do. Being able to fly back and forth (horizontally), rather than up and down (vertically) is their main form of exercise. If you do choose to get finches you will need to purchase two and get a cage that is longer rather than taller.
A budgie would be better because you have a cockatiel and can go in the same cage together.
You can get the flight feathers cut. If you live near me in Exeter UK I will cut them for 拢2
If you go to a vet possible will cost you 拢10 or more
but if you get two finches they can't even go next to each other. They will attack the budgies and cockateils through the bars.
It will be ok if they were bought up together
I have a baby zebra finch and a baby cockatiel and i'm letting them see each other 3-4 time a day
Do you think i should get a budgie, or a couple of finches to live in the cage next to my cockatiel to keep her company
and ifi get a budgie, can their wings be clipped?
Answers:
u should definately get a budgie. they are way more calm and tame. i think finches are too wild and can't be held. budgies wings can be clipped, but be sure to ask the people at the petstore to show u how.
budgies are prettier for the most part. they can also learn to talk. and all finches do is fly around their cages. u will see what i mean when u go to the petstore and see the budgies calmly sitting and playing with their toys. the finches will most likely be flapping around like an insane creature
if u do get a budgie, be sure to get a young one. the young ones are easier to train to sit on your finger. the young budgies will have small stripes from the back of their head all they way to their beak
good luck!
Shelby - Shelby. You need to make a decision. You've gone from other cockatiels to conures to quakers and now budgies versus finches.
A budgie would be the better choice if you want a bird you can handle and the budgie might even be able to share a cage with the cockatiel eventually.
Finches are NOT birds to be held. They come in many beautiful color varieties and most of the males have great singing abilities but they should be left to fly around in a large flight cage, not a smaller cage since they don't have the climbing ability that parrot-type birds do. Being able to fly back and forth (horizontally), rather than up and down (vertically) is their main form of exercise. If you do choose to get finches you will need to purchase two and get a cage that is longer rather than taller.
A budgie would be better because you have a cockatiel and can go in the same cage together.
You can get the flight feathers cut. If you live near me in Exeter UK I will cut them for 拢2
If you go to a vet possible will cost you 拢10 or more
but if you get two finches they can't even go next to each other. They will attack the budgies and cockateils through the bars.
It will be ok if they were bought up together
I have a baby zebra finch and a baby cockatiel and i'm letting them see each other 3-4 time a day
Budgie questions?
hey everyone what's up? well i have a few budgie questions that i need some answers on: first of all, i have a now 4 month old budgie and it all of a sudden started to rub its beak/head against its perch and the side of its cage,why is it doing that? also can someone please tell me how to train my budgie to come to me when it's on the floor and stuff and how can i teach my budgie to not fly away from me when it's out of its cage and on my finger ? last question,can budgies see in the dark?when i leave my room at night i turn off my light and turn on a nightlight for him but i'm not so sure that it shines torward him so do i need to do anything differently? thanx! p.s.i like converse!=p
Answers:
head scratching - Itches, Molting, New feathers coming in, mites,
Train it to come to you when its on the floor %26 not to fly away - you need to work with it more, It's not used to you, if it was it wouldn't fly away from being perched on your finger Unless A) it was hungry/ thirst B) tired C) bored
Talk to your budgie all the TIME!, soft gentle tones, Specially before you go sticking your hands into the cage to feed/ water/ clean the cage , IF at all possible DO NOT put your hands in from ABOVE the bird - or when its on the floor DON'T put your hands above it to get it - this makes them think you are a Predator and it'll frighten them more then they already are
EVERY TIME the bird does what you wanted it to do For example STEP up on your finger from the floor -PRAISE it like there is NO tomorrow and give him/ her a treat ( even if it's just a piece of its normal food)
To get the Budgie to Perch on your finger, Make sure you say Step up! when you put your finger under their chest above their legs -
Can they see in the dark - This one I'm not 100% positive but I'm pretty sure they can after i go to bed and my room is pitch black Dark Plus their cage is covered with a blanket, I can hear mine eating, or moving around from perch to perch so i'm assuming they can
One More thing DO NOT USE mite Spray unless a avian vet tells you your bird has mites - it is NORMAL for birds to rub thier heads/ beaks on things , They can't reach ALL the spots that itch, with thier beaks or Feet !
if it is doing it NONE stop for long periods of time - Go to your avian vet ( MOST normal dog/ cat vets do not see birds)
Hi there, I'll try and answer your questions:
If your budgie suddenly started to rub his beak or head aginst his perch, it could either be that he has mites (buy some mite spray from your local pet shop)
or it could also be that his feathers are forming, check to see if he has any kind of spiky looking stumpy things on his head, these are what new feathers look like when they start to grow.
The only way you can teach a budgie to stay with you is a lot of patience, if you have given your budgie a lot of freedom up until now, maybe try and restict his flight to just one room at a time.
As for night time, please leave your budgie in his cage at night, also cover his cage with something like a towel or sheet, this will let him know that it is rest time and will prevent any mishaps during the night, it is a lot safer for him.
My 3 budgies all rub their heads on things. It's part of the grooming. I spray mine with a water spritzer every morning and they like that. Make the area where it sleeps as dark as possible at night. A bit of light won't hurt but they need their downtime in the dark to sleep well. Try using a chopstick perch to train your budgie out of the cage, instead of a finger.
I have budgies and mine rubs its head agaisnt the cage and perch. Try mite spray. It probably has mites that are bothering it but empty the cage before you spray because you dont want that in their food or water. My budgie is not trained and it is afriad or my hand. I suggest training it when it was young. Make sure that theres only one bird in the cage or else it will forget about you and your training and it'll play with the other birdy and dont want that if you want a good bird! Did you know budgies can talk? It is much easier for male budgie to learn than a female. ( Blue cere- male. Brown cere- female. Cere is the flesh above beak) As for seeing in the dark. I leave a night light on for them. i think it makes them happy. Any other bird questions email me at angelsite2850@aim.com.
I may be able to answer your questions. First Budgies prefer to sleep when there is no one around. And they do like music, so you can play the stereo or radio when you are gone. The night light is ok but not necessary.
Your bird is only 4 mos old and the rubbing of it's head and beak on things is normal, this is how they groom themselves and how they scratch. Plus he is still growing. His beak is changing and becoming harder. This is the best time to train your bird since his bite won't hurt as much as when his beak is harder. It will feel more like a pinch instead of a puncture. lol
Once the beak is harder it will do more damage to fingers and arms. I have quite a few scars from the birds I've had, not to mention the Yellow Naped Amazon I once had.
To train your bird start by talking to him each time you have the chance, this gets him used to hearing your voice and feeling comfortable around him. Then you can work on finger training him. But this all takes time, so if he's still young start now. Work with him at least every day or so to get him used to being around you. Sometimes when you hold him on your finger you can put your thumb on his feet until he settles down. Find a treat he will like and give this to him when he does something like sitting on your finger. Also budgies can learn to talk. The imitate the voice and the louder you talk the louder they repeat what you say. As I said this all takes time so have plenty of patience with your bird, don't give up, they will surprise you when you least expect it. Below I have a list of sites that may be helpful to you.
My bird rubs her beak and head against her perch daily, to help clean ti and itch spots they can't reach. it also helps new feathers that are coming in. Comfirm mites with an avian vet before spraying them with mite stuff, if they don't ahve mites it might irritate the skin. When your budgie is on the floor sit near by and hold out a treat and say "Come" when he comes give him the treat and ltos and ltos of verbal praise as well as petting. Keep doing this for about 10-15 mintues a day. over time he will learn to come to you on command from further and further distances. Some birds will jsut fly away from you if they are spooked, or if they jsut want to go preen. Not much you can do there, sorry. For night time it does help birds to have a sligth amount of light incase they wake up so they don't spook. But none of my birds have night lights and they do just fine.
I Had three budgies one died but now i have 2. For your first question, your budgie rubs its beak on the perch because its itchy to him, he needs a cuttle bone or mineral block for that( my birds rub their beaks on the perch too and they don't use their cuttle bone so if your budgie do not do that don't worry it wont kill him lol). your second question, it took my budgies over 4 month's took get used to me and now my birds can go on my finger and sing a tone i tought them, and if you want to call your bird a name, keep repeating your self and it will catch on to it like a song also its like the same thing. But for your bird going on your finger you would have to Wait for him to get used to you and then try and put your finger in the middle of its chest and feet. It might put on foot on your finger then might fly away, that's fine though ^__^. your third question, Budgies cant see in the dark, but only a little bit like we do. Make sure you have a cover over your budgies cage so then it wont wake you up in the morning when you sleep. When its in the middle of the night your bird should have memorized your cage or should know where the food is so it can eat. I hope this helps you and your budgie! ^_^
The rubbing against the cage/perch is normal. Mine used to do that a lot. It's just another way to scratch their head... or just to show the perch that they love it!
Getting the budgie to come to you and stay with you relies on a couple of things. One, the personality of the bird, and two your relationship with the bird. My old parakeet would jump for my shoulder the moment she was let out of her cage and wouldn't leave until I put her back in the cage. But another parakeet I had was much more shy and tended to keep to himself. You might try different noises to get the bird's attention, like making a squeak by inhaling through puckered lips, clicking your tongue, or even blowing a raspberry. Just be careful... I've had curious birds cling to my face after getting a peek at my tongue.
As for darkness, I'm not 100% sure about this, but I'm pretty sure they can't. My bird always avoided flying in dark rooms and, considering what a problem they have with mirrors and windows, I would be inclined to say their eyesight isn't much better than a human's. However, birds enjoy sleeping in darkness and most are familiar enough with their cage that they can find their favorite sleeping place the moment the lights go out. If you turn out the lights and hear a lot of frantic flapping, turn them on again and give the bird a chance to calm down before climbing back up to its sleeping place.
Since no one can answer whether birds can see in the dark, THEY CAN SEE IN THE DARK! With just a tiny amount of light, they CAN see. But birds need 12 hours of sleep time in order to stay healthy.
If you are feeding just a seed diet, you need to do better for your bird. Putting your bird on a healthier diet, will get you closer to your bird. Feeding veggies, pasta, meats, cheese, and using cheerios for treats will get you closer.
Also clipping the birds wings will also allow you to teach the bird to "step up" . Please take the bird to someone who knows how to clip the wings. Once the bird is on the floor, say "step up" and push your finger into the chest of the bird, and the bird will step up onto your finger. It's natural for them to perch on the highest perch, especially if it's on the floor. Then you can play ladder with your two fingers, repeating "step up" with your fingers.
Rubbing it's head is nothing more then you wanting your back scratched. Do NOT attempt to run your hand over it's back. Keets just hate being petted. But i do encourage you to take a little pet under their wings. Do this slowly and eventually they will put their wings up for this little scratch.
If you have mirrors in the cage, remove them. They only know this as being another bird. It won't bring you closer, just further away. It also will hinder your bird talking in our language.
I can't express the diet anymore then i did. Seeds will only get you about 4-6 yrs with your bird. A proper diet can get you more then 20. The choice is up to you!! My keet is now 28 and still alive.
Good Luck!
Answers:
head scratching - Itches, Molting, New feathers coming in, mites,
Train it to come to you when its on the floor %26 not to fly away - you need to work with it more, It's not used to you, if it was it wouldn't fly away from being perched on your finger Unless A) it was hungry/ thirst B) tired C) bored
Talk to your budgie all the TIME!, soft gentle tones, Specially before you go sticking your hands into the cage to feed/ water/ clean the cage , IF at all possible DO NOT put your hands in from ABOVE the bird - or when its on the floor DON'T put your hands above it to get it - this makes them think you are a Predator and it'll frighten them more then they already are
EVERY TIME the bird does what you wanted it to do For example STEP up on your finger from the floor -PRAISE it like there is NO tomorrow and give him/ her a treat ( even if it's just a piece of its normal food)
To get the Budgie to Perch on your finger, Make sure you say Step up! when you put your finger under their chest above their legs -
Can they see in the dark - This one I'm not 100% positive but I'm pretty sure they can after i go to bed and my room is pitch black Dark Plus their cage is covered with a blanket, I can hear mine eating, or moving around from perch to perch so i'm assuming they can
One More thing DO NOT USE mite Spray unless a avian vet tells you your bird has mites - it is NORMAL for birds to rub thier heads/ beaks on things , They can't reach ALL the spots that itch, with thier beaks or Feet !
if it is doing it NONE stop for long periods of time - Go to your avian vet ( MOST normal dog/ cat vets do not see birds)
Hi there, I'll try and answer your questions:
If your budgie suddenly started to rub his beak or head aginst his perch, it could either be that he has mites (buy some mite spray from your local pet shop)
or it could also be that his feathers are forming, check to see if he has any kind of spiky looking stumpy things on his head, these are what new feathers look like when they start to grow.
The only way you can teach a budgie to stay with you is a lot of patience, if you have given your budgie a lot of freedom up until now, maybe try and restict his flight to just one room at a time.
As for night time, please leave your budgie in his cage at night, also cover his cage with something like a towel or sheet, this will let him know that it is rest time and will prevent any mishaps during the night, it is a lot safer for him.
My 3 budgies all rub their heads on things. It's part of the grooming. I spray mine with a water spritzer every morning and they like that. Make the area where it sleeps as dark as possible at night. A bit of light won't hurt but they need their downtime in the dark to sleep well. Try using a chopstick perch to train your budgie out of the cage, instead of a finger.
I have budgies and mine rubs its head agaisnt the cage and perch. Try mite spray. It probably has mites that are bothering it but empty the cage before you spray because you dont want that in their food or water. My budgie is not trained and it is afriad or my hand. I suggest training it when it was young. Make sure that theres only one bird in the cage or else it will forget about you and your training and it'll play with the other birdy and dont want that if you want a good bird! Did you know budgies can talk? It is much easier for male budgie to learn than a female. ( Blue cere- male. Brown cere- female. Cere is the flesh above beak) As for seeing in the dark. I leave a night light on for them. i think it makes them happy. Any other bird questions email me at angelsite2850@aim.com.
I may be able to answer your questions. First Budgies prefer to sleep when there is no one around. And they do like music, so you can play the stereo or radio when you are gone. The night light is ok but not necessary.
Your bird is only 4 mos old and the rubbing of it's head and beak on things is normal, this is how they groom themselves and how they scratch. Plus he is still growing. His beak is changing and becoming harder. This is the best time to train your bird since his bite won't hurt as much as when his beak is harder. It will feel more like a pinch instead of a puncture. lol
Once the beak is harder it will do more damage to fingers and arms. I have quite a few scars from the birds I've had, not to mention the Yellow Naped Amazon I once had.
To train your bird start by talking to him each time you have the chance, this gets him used to hearing your voice and feeling comfortable around him. Then you can work on finger training him. But this all takes time, so if he's still young start now. Work with him at least every day or so to get him used to being around you. Sometimes when you hold him on your finger you can put your thumb on his feet until he settles down. Find a treat he will like and give this to him when he does something like sitting on your finger. Also budgies can learn to talk. The imitate the voice and the louder you talk the louder they repeat what you say. As I said this all takes time so have plenty of patience with your bird, don't give up, they will surprise you when you least expect it. Below I have a list of sites that may be helpful to you.
My bird rubs her beak and head against her perch daily, to help clean ti and itch spots they can't reach. it also helps new feathers that are coming in. Comfirm mites with an avian vet before spraying them with mite stuff, if they don't ahve mites it might irritate the skin. When your budgie is on the floor sit near by and hold out a treat and say "Come" when he comes give him the treat and ltos and ltos of verbal praise as well as petting. Keep doing this for about 10-15 mintues a day. over time he will learn to come to you on command from further and further distances. Some birds will jsut fly away from you if they are spooked, or if they jsut want to go preen. Not much you can do there, sorry. For night time it does help birds to have a sligth amount of light incase they wake up so they don't spook. But none of my birds have night lights and they do just fine.
I Had three budgies one died but now i have 2. For your first question, your budgie rubs its beak on the perch because its itchy to him, he needs a cuttle bone or mineral block for that( my birds rub their beaks on the perch too and they don't use their cuttle bone so if your budgie do not do that don't worry it wont kill him lol). your second question, it took my budgies over 4 month's took get used to me and now my birds can go on my finger and sing a tone i tought them, and if you want to call your bird a name, keep repeating your self and it will catch on to it like a song also its like the same thing. But for your bird going on your finger you would have to Wait for him to get used to you and then try and put your finger in the middle of its chest and feet. It might put on foot on your finger then might fly away, that's fine though ^__^. your third question, Budgies cant see in the dark, but only a little bit like we do. Make sure you have a cover over your budgies cage so then it wont wake you up in the morning when you sleep. When its in the middle of the night your bird should have memorized your cage or should know where the food is so it can eat. I hope this helps you and your budgie! ^_^
The rubbing against the cage/perch is normal. Mine used to do that a lot. It's just another way to scratch their head... or just to show the perch that they love it!
Getting the budgie to come to you and stay with you relies on a couple of things. One, the personality of the bird, and two your relationship with the bird. My old parakeet would jump for my shoulder the moment she was let out of her cage and wouldn't leave until I put her back in the cage. But another parakeet I had was much more shy and tended to keep to himself. You might try different noises to get the bird's attention, like making a squeak by inhaling through puckered lips, clicking your tongue, or even blowing a raspberry. Just be careful... I've had curious birds cling to my face after getting a peek at my tongue.
As for darkness, I'm not 100% sure about this, but I'm pretty sure they can't. My bird always avoided flying in dark rooms and, considering what a problem they have with mirrors and windows, I would be inclined to say their eyesight isn't much better than a human's. However, birds enjoy sleeping in darkness and most are familiar enough with their cage that they can find their favorite sleeping place the moment the lights go out. If you turn out the lights and hear a lot of frantic flapping, turn them on again and give the bird a chance to calm down before climbing back up to its sleeping place.
Since no one can answer whether birds can see in the dark, THEY CAN SEE IN THE DARK! With just a tiny amount of light, they CAN see. But birds need 12 hours of sleep time in order to stay healthy.
If you are feeding just a seed diet, you need to do better for your bird. Putting your bird on a healthier diet, will get you closer to your bird. Feeding veggies, pasta, meats, cheese, and using cheerios for treats will get you closer.
Also clipping the birds wings will also allow you to teach the bird to "step up" . Please take the bird to someone who knows how to clip the wings. Once the bird is on the floor, say "step up" and push your finger into the chest of the bird, and the bird will step up onto your finger. It's natural for them to perch on the highest perch, especially if it's on the floor. Then you can play ladder with your two fingers, repeating "step up" with your fingers.
Rubbing it's head is nothing more then you wanting your back scratched. Do NOT attempt to run your hand over it's back. Keets just hate being petted. But i do encourage you to take a little pet under their wings. Do this slowly and eventually they will put their wings up for this little scratch.
If you have mirrors in the cage, remove them. They only know this as being another bird. It won't bring you closer, just further away. It also will hinder your bird talking in our language.
I can't express the diet anymore then i did. Seeds will only get you about 4-6 yrs with your bird. A proper diet can get you more then 20. The choice is up to you!! My keet is now 28 and still alive.
Good Luck!
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