Now owner of a rescue bidgie.

To those who are curious about the horrifying past of this budgie (Snowball), see my forum post here: Might be longer than expected getting a conure - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

I attached a photo of him on top of his new cage. I had to rush and get a new one for him today because the people where he was staying were being butts and wouldn't let my niece keep the food nor cage, because apparently they want another bird now (I feel so sorry for whatever little one they take home to that 7 year old. Churns my stomach thinking about it. But we did what we could for the one we have control over, so that's all that I can focus on at this point).

So those wondering why he's out of his cage first day is because I had no choice when putting it together. I had to quick get cage/perches/everything and wasn't given the time to put it together before getting him. Thankfully he's relaxed around my niece (good sign that she's doing things right with him!) and she got him to come out so I could set everything up. He's been doing really good. He's so relaxed on top of his cage. I'm just patiently waiting for him to go back in on his own (so as to not spook him) so I can close it and he can eat/drink and relax and feel safe. Number one thing for me to do right now is just keep him as comfortable as possible. Best of luck to this little guy. Hope we'll do well together and he can move past his horrific past.

A horrific past, is a starting point. Not the best starting point, but a starting point! Let each and every minute of each and everyday, this Bidgie is provided with only good things happening will quickly provide a comfort and a willingness to trust. Time is on your side. Allow for as much time as possible and allow your Parrot to grow into her /his new home.

The Past is just that! Very old song with strong meaning long into the future: The Sun will come out tomorrow, Bet your bottom dollar on tomorrow .....

I have had a long life of living and Loving Rescued Amazons! Love is never more deeply felt than from those who have start from a horrific past!

Glad that poor little guy is in good hands <3 Budgie rescues have a soft spot in my heart. Also, good job on putting together a swell budgie set up in a short amount of time. The cage looks reasonably sized, has a great array of surfaces, and some fun colors and doodads. I hope he settles in nicely in his new home

very nice cage. If the cage/food was your niece's what right do they have in keeping it? They sound like scummy people to me. Maybe an anonymous report of animal abuse may be in order. A good fine might be enough of a wake up call to them

LordTriggs said:

very nice cage. If the cage/food was your niece's what right do they have in keeping it? They sound like scummy people to me. Maybe an anonymous report of animal abuse may be in order. A good fine might be enough of a wake up call to them

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Probably because they want to get a replacement bird *sigh*

My parting shot would have been if you do get another bird expect a call from animal welfare!

Good luck with this little one, he will respond to being loved.

Nerine said:

LordTriggs said:

very nice cage. If the cage/food was your niece's what right do they have in keeping it? They sound like scummy people to me. Maybe an anonymous report of animal abuse may be in order. A good fine might be enough of a wake up call to them

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Probably because they want to get a replacement bird *sigh*

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that doesn't mean that cage and food belongs to them. If that were me I would have ripped that cage out of their hands or threatened to report them then and there for their disgusting behavior

Definitely report them if they get another bird. Maybe even go round the local pet stores and hand them pictures of the family saying that they are animal abusers and not to sell them birds

There is good news to the situation. They told my niece yesterday that they're not getting a new bird. Thank God for that! As to the cage situation, I know they went with my niece to get the bird. Niece not putting up a fight over the cage tells me that there is the possibility they pitched in their own money for the housing of Snowball, so maybe they owned all that stuff but the bird my niece payed for. I'm not certain though. I really just think they did it to be butts and make us angrier than we already were with the situation. Because in 24 hrs you decide just like that "oh hey by the way we don't want a bird anymore hahaha sucks for you guys for having to buy all that stuff". Yeah, I'm just going to safely bet on that. But I'm glad though. The situation has worked out for the best. Snowball is safe, and no other bird will be harmed in this process.

My only worry is the fact that Snowball isn't chirping like a normal parakeet would. Usually even in the first few days having them in a new environment, they chirp it up like crazy. Snowball doesn't do any of that. He did like 3 chirps yesterday morning but that was it. Nothing before and nothing since. I tried playing some budgies chirping, he seemed extra relaxed and content, but no chirps. I wonder if that 7 year old was doing stuff to him any time he would chirp. Like throwing stuff at the cage (I was told he did this but I'm not sure if it was because he was chirping, or just because). So I don't know. He does seem really happy with the setup I have for him though. He walks around and plays with all the toys. He's also eating and drinking just fine. He does get very skittish when I have to walk up to the cage and change out the food/water. He sucks in his feathers and I can see his entire body move with his increased heart rate. But he was a little better this morning, probably because he was at the top and back of the cage, a safe distance away from the food and water dishes where he could keep a close watch on me.

I hope he'll at least start chirping again soon. I don't mind if it wakes me up or anything. I just would like to see a happy, chipper bird prancing around again. It's just odd to me that I can't get a peep out of him minus the three yesterday morning.

If you are sure he has no lasting injuries that need AV care then he just needs to settle and gain some confidence. Don't they say that kids that abuse animals in childhood go on to .... ? Perhaps put him on the Police watch list now! LOL.

Talk to him softly tell him you are changing his water and you have some food for him, all sing song tones. He will get used to the fact that you mean him no harm but it will take some time. Poor little thing.

yes maybe a visit to the vet to make sure there's no damage may be in store

hopefully he calms down and learns you mean him no harm

If I saw what the child did he would very quickly know exactly what that poor bird was going through ten-fold and so would the dad. No patience for animal abusers

Good luck.

Be careful about keeping your snake and budgie in the same cage though.

Snake? Lol that's a branch silly. My coworker thought the same thing as you.

I had the vet visit at 11, we got back a while ago (I had to coax him back into his normal cage). Great news for him! He's in tip top shape physically, minus some stress bars in his tail feathers ): But it's still great news. Especially the part where he's not plucking his own feathers due to stress. He has some sticky substance stuck on his chest feathers (no clue what it is. They probably spilled juice or something on him -_-) and he's plucking at the areas with the sticky stuff on it, nowhere else. So when doing the bonding process, vet told me to try and coax him into a birdie bath and see if it helps get it off. If not, then I just have to wait until they fall off on their own. And of course, monitor him after it's all off, to make sure he doesn't continue plucking.

He's happily back in his normal cage now, munching on some millet I put in there earlier. ^^

Just a thought - what if you buy him a plastic parrot for his cage to be his friend, may open him up a bit quicker and if taken to you can give this one a bath and see if he follows?