Need to find a friend for Nico

I can't take it anymore how lonely my 6 year old English budgie Nico is after he lost his buddy Mateo.

He seems to be eating and will chat with Lupe. She has been spending some time with him to help him with is grieving and is keeping a close eye on him and taking account on how he is doing every day. Lupe told me he is eating and seems to be doing better with his grief.

Nico is the more timid of the two. Mateo was feisty and always took care of Nico protecting him and being his friend. They were strongly bonded. Now that Mateo is gone Nico is very frightened being more skittish and does not seem to be adjusting to being alone very well. I would like to try to find him a friend around the same age. I would like to find a English budgie or American budgie that is 6 years old or older to try to give Nico a friend so he can feel more secure and not be alone.

We are in Minnesota so I prefer to do this locally. I probably could run out to Petsmart and buy a parakeet but I want to try to match age as close as possible and the birds offered there are too young for Nico.

Thank you for taking the time to read my request.

Rebecca, have you tried looking on Craigslist, Hoobly and/or ebayclassifieds to see if anyone is looking to rehome an "older" bird?

You could possibly also ask Petco and Petsmart where they get their babies from, there may very well be a nearby breeder who has single, older birds they could place.

I'm so sorry that Nico is so sad.

...and how are YOU doing????

so sad, poor Nico I hope you are able to find a similarly aged budgie to be his friend.

Hope you find Nico a friend!!!! If you were near I've got two keets about the same age that would of been good friends for Nico.

I have been looking at Craigslist and have found two adds that might have promise. When I was going to move forward to inquire about buying one of the budgies Lupe told me that she does NOT want a companion for Nico.

Personally I was not happy about that but I have to respect her wishes because he belongs to her. On a positive note I have heard him chirping away at at times very loudly more like himself. I was in her room yesterday talking to him and playing peek a boo with him and he was responding to my voice really well. He is eating and I have to trust when she told me he is doing much better.

I can't help but wonder that she will not move forward to get him a companion because of her need to "place and give up" the pets that are hers because her new partner does not like animals. I know I should not think this way but I can't help it. I also remember learning that when one of the budgies companions die the lone one left will probably pass on in 4 months or less. Is she waiting for Nico's time to come as well? I don't want my thoughts to go there but I can't help it. Lupe does love and care for animals very very much. She took very good care of Valentino and my cat Julianna and our pets Julio the Noble macaw and Mercedes our Scottish Terrier so I have to trust that she is doing what is best for Nico. I might not like it but I have to respect her wishes.

I am thankful she asked me to keep Julio so now Valentino will have a companion and Julio will have a companion when I go back to work outside the home. I would like to also keep our dog and my cat but this will depend on if I can afford them. If I cannot afford their care they will need to go to a home that will be able to afford their care (vet, food and grooming) but more importantly give them the love they deserve. That breaks my heart that I might have to place my mammals.

Wendy, I am doing alright for now. I am still in huge transition and have so much to get doing and to accomplish that I am easily overwhelmed. My goals are to be able to find a job that will help me be able to afford the bills myself so I can keep my home. I also need to realize that I might have to place some of my companions with homes that can care for them and love them because I probably will not be able to afford their care. There is NO WAY I am EVER going to give up Valentino. No matter what happens I need to be able to keep my boy. It is agreed that Lupe will continue to pay for Julio's upkeep and vet bills even though I am keeping him with me. I had her sign papers with her signature so that she will have to keep this promise. I might have to give up Mercedes and Julianna but I will keep the parrots.

I really do feel awful for you having to give them up like that as I've been there once. It was heart breaking.....I hope something better happen for you in the near future!!!