Some questions for a new bird lover...

[SkyBlue241]

First of all, I am very new to birds. I just bought my first bird, and since I bought it myself, with my own money (cage, toys, food, gravel, and all), and I'm only 14, I bought a very nice inexpensive bird. I bought it as a parakete, but I just read this book and now I think it's a bugerigar. My first question is: Is a budgerigar a type of parakete? My new bird is getting used to me, but I dont think it is drinking at all. Is it normal for it to drink very little? Thanks. :)

[swtnikki]

Hi there & welcome :) I think a budgie & parakeet are one in the same. It takes some time for the new birdie to get used to you; my Spike got used to me the first 1 1/2, 2 weeks. You just have to spend some time w/the birdie. Um..my friend told me that birds don't drink that often, usually they'll bathe in their water dish. I hope that helps, & I'd love to see some pics of the new addidtion :D

[SkyBlue241]

Thanks much Nikki! :D I would love to show you some photos, but don't have a digital camera or scanner. I still have to tell my mom to get one. Maybe I can get that new Kodak thing that develops your pictures onto a CD too, and then I can show you.

[Amanda]

Hmmm, I would watch the bird to see if it will drink more in the next few days. Maybe he is still a little nervous of his new environment (new home, new cage, new noises, new people around him, etc.). My birds drink water everyday, sometimes several times a day depending on the weather. They also like to take baths in their water bowl. In any case, just make sure that you provide fresh water (and food) to your bird daily.

[Kaye]

Usually you don't see birds drink.. but they do. Also gravel (grit) should not be given to parakeets/budgerigars.. they don't need it. Congrats on your new fid! :)

[SkyBlue241]

Thanks guys. Actually I gave laid down this corn cob litter, not gravel. Is that fine? Yea I think he's still getting used to the home. This book said it usually takes 5 to 7 days. Should I let him get exercise sessions yet, or wait a little while? He still has to get his wings trimmed.

[Amanda]

Does Sky's cage have a grate at the bottom or can he have access to the corn cob litter? Most of us here use plain newspaper to line our bird cages ... it's not only cheaper but it makes it easier to see their "poop" (so you can tell if your bird might be sick) and also much safer for the birds. Some birds might eat the corn cob litter and it is dangerous for them. If Sky's cage has a grate at the bottom and he can't reach the corn cob litter, then I guess it's okay for you to use that type of litter.

I suggest that you get his wings trimmed before you start any exercise or interaction with him. He is still not used to you and will probably fly around if you take him out of his cage. He may get hurt by flying into windows and/or mirrors so please get his wings trimmed before you take him out of his cage. If you are not sure how to trim the wings, call the pet store where you got him from and see if they will do it. Most pet stores will trim birds wings for a minimal charge. However, make sure that the people at the pet store know what they are doing or they might hurt Sky in the process of trimming his wings. If you don't think that the pet store people can do a good wing trim properly, then phone around and look for a vet who will be able to do it.

[SkyBlue241]

Ok, I'll call the place and see if they can trim the wings. Yea there is a grate covering the corn cob, but after I finish the bag, I'll probally just use newspaper.

[Kaye]

Yea, when you said gravel I thought you meant grit (the stuff some birds must eat to help them digest). I'd go to newspaper if I were you once the bag is gone.. it's SO much easier!

[krazy4birds]

Welcome SkyBlue and congratulations on your new feathered friend! I usually do not notice my birds drinking to much which is why the dish should be cleaned and refilled at the LEAST once a day. Bacteria get set in fast on stagnent water. And I agree about getting his wings cut before you have time out sessions. That is unless you have a fairly good size room you can shut yourself up in with your bird and let him fly around awhile just make sure there is no way to get out untill you are done and he is safely secured in his cage. I was told new babies benefit greatly to get to use their wings a few times before cutting...Good luck with your new little one!!!

[SkyBlue241]

Thanks guys. My neighbor is a bird lover, and has alot of different species of birds, especially parrots ans cockatoos. Instead of paying 27 bucks at a animal hospital, he just did it for free. I let Sky jump around in my room for ten to fifteen minutes, and now hes sleeping. I put a black covering over one half of the cage, so he could rest, and hes doing great. When do you guys suggest getting him a female? Maybe 2 or 3 months?

[Dilly Bird]

I never really see my bird drink but i know he does. I wouldn't let your bird to fly free until he's tame. Then once he's tame, he shouldn't even need his wings clipped. I use kaykob litter. i don't think it hurts the bird if they eat a bit. i don't use newspaper because then the feathers fly around whereas the kaykob kinda catces them so they stay in the cage. also, all birds need grit of some sort. (grit for birds, sandpaper where they can pick the sand off for grit and a cuttle bone all work)
I hope i answered most of your questions and helped!
Dilly Bird

[Dilly Bird]

Bugies (Bugerigars) and Parakeets are exactly the same bird. That used to confuse me too until I learned that keets (or budgies or whatever you wanna call them) have different names. I have a few questions about my new bird. If anyone could help, I have it posted on the thread New Lovebird Taming.
Thanks!
Dilly Bird

[Dilly Bird]

I'm not sure now. I was reading up on Lovebirds (I'm trying to learn more about my new bird) and saw that not all birds need grit. From what I understand, you can give it to keets and lovebirds, but sometimes they'll eat too much and get a crop infection or some kind of crop problem. I'm really sorry about that!
Sorry
Dilly Bird

[crazeemama]

Budgies/budgerigars/parakeets (at least on this side of the Atlantic Ocean) are all the same bird. It can get confusing as any small parrot with a long tail is essentially a parakeet.

[crazeemama]

Hook bills (parrots & cockatoos) do not need grit as they hull their seeds. Passerines, etc eat the seed whole and need the grit to grind up the hull and seed, if you will. It is not as uncommon as you might think to see crop impactions and/or intestinal impactions that are huge deposits of "unpassed" grit.

[SkyBlue241]

A little while ago, I found out that budgies are Australian parakeets or "shell" parakeets. Anyway, Sky is starting the make all these noises. He squeaks, squauks, and makes gritting sounds, especially when I turn on the radio. Is he trying to talk, or is he just mad/happy/etc?

[krazy4birds]

My guess would be all the above EXCEPT the mad part. He is probably learning new words and when you least expect it....out it will come...hahahaha Good Luck!

[crazeemama]

A little while ago, I found out that budgies are Australian parakeets or "shell" parakeets. Anyway, Sky is starting the make all these noises. He squeaks, squauks, and makes gritting sounds, especially when I turn on the radio. Is he trying to talk, or is he just mad/happy/etc?

That budgerigar is a *native* Australian word which translates to *good to eat*? Kinda hard to imagine with what little meat a parakeet has on it!!!!
As for the sounds.... probably is just trying to figure out talking. They *babble* like babies learning to talk.
When I have a rest in the afternoon, all the birds begin their *elocution* lessons. It is funny listening to them.
The 'gritting sound' (grinding?) is probably him sliding the upper and lower beak together. It is also a sound of contentment. It is very noticeable with the bigger birds.
You may find he does this at night time, nap time, and other 'resting times'.
Most birds do seem to like music. I play NPRN alot, especially when I am going to be gone. THe classical music seems to soothe them.

[SkyBlue241]

Well that sounds good. Now was thinking about breeding Sky and a female in the future, but I was reading a book on parakeets, and it says it is better to buy seperate birds for breeding, because a tamed pet budgie might mate, but then reject or abandone the babies. Is this true? They had a story about a pet male who mated and then forgot about the eggs. The female stayed calm at first, but three weeks in, she attacked the male and almost killed him.

[crazeemama]

is that if the pet bonds with the other bird, then you lose YOUR bond with the bird, and it is no longer a pet and is usually aggressive with people, especially during breeding season.
If the bird doesn't bond with the other bird, and the other bird is ready to breed, the bird not wanting to bond/breed can be killed by the other.
The whole breeding scenario is rife with complications.
What if the bebe's are handicapped? Are you prepared to pay major vet bills if something is wrong with a bebe? Are you prepared to stay with a bebe that has to be euthanized, if that is the best choice for the bird (not for you). Are you prepared to keep a bebe that is not a candidate for euthanization, but cannot be sold due to *defects* for the next 5 - 15 years? What if the parents won't feed? Can you feed day1 birds without killing them? there are many many questions. These are just a few.
Parakeets are nomadic in the wild. They do form pair bonds and these are pretty strong. They lay eggs generally on the ground and will abandon eggs/chicks readily if the water/food supply is not up to snuff or if they PERCEIVE a threat to themselves. Nature makes up for this by making them rather prolific.
There is a lot to think about BEFORE becoming a breeder. Before you are responsible for the well being of multiple teensy creatures. Many people get two of a kind, and throw them together with out being set up physically or emotionally for the task. There are many moral and ethical issues involved in the act of breeding a pair of birds. A responsible breeder would be one that among other things, chose to answer those questions before ever getting the birds to breed.

[SkyBlue241]

You have many good points crazeemama. But I get the impression you think breeding is a bad idea...... or atleast in my case because you think I may be irresponsible or getting in way over my head. Do you suggest I forget the idea of breeding?

[crazeemama]

you are the only one that can make that decision. What I am saying is that there are a veritable plethora of problems inherent in breeding and that there is a lot more to it than putting a male and female of the same species together. I think you do have to know the answer to all the questions I asked (and more!) before ever buying your first pair.
We all need to be very responsible stewards.

[lianatch]

i know i haven't put any input in this discussion but i have been following it bc there were a lot of good questions asked and answered. i just wanted to add with regards to breeding - SkyBlue421, please dont take it the wrong way, but breeding should be considered at a much later stage when you yourself can answer all of the questions you have been asking here. there is much more to learn about birds than most people realize. if one wants to become a breeder, without a doubt he(she) needs to know everything there is about that particular type of birds.

[SkyBlue241]

I didn't say I wanted to breed soon. To think about breeding your birds comes natural. And just because I'm a new bird person, it doesn't qualify me as unknowlegable. I've so far read two books on budgies, and learned a great deal more in these past weeks than I've ever learned in years. I guess breeding (atleast serious breeding) is sort of like college. You think about it at an early stage, and eventually reach that point.

[tiellover]

Budgeriger or budgie, is just another name for a parakeet. Birds can go for a long time without water, they don't necessarily drink a lot. So don't worry. If it's water bottle is one of those "sippy" ones with the skinny tube and ball on the end though, most birds don't know how to use those at first, so make sure you also, or instead, give him his water in an open bowl/bird dish.