Music and Skye/Skye update - long winded.

Nov 12, 2019
240
7
New England
Parrots
4 budgies, 1 cockatiel, 1 canary winged parakeet
With tomorrow being Monday and this being Skye’s first week work week home we spent a good chunk of the day playing different types of music to see what Skye seems to like. I don’t like sitting in silence, so why would he...right?
The little devil LOVES Ariana Grande, 7 rings specifically. He gets this little bob going and chirps along. SO PRECIOUS! Every time I tried to catch him dancing or singing along with the camera he went absolutely still and quiet. Performance anxiety maybe? Silly bird.
He seems to prefer upbeat dance type songs.
For any of you with kids...he also likes Moana, Descendants, and Frozen 2. Frozen...not so much.
So much personality in such a tiny little body. [emoji177]

We also set up a code that means we are entering the room. We knock softly twice then whistle to him. When we open the door he chirps back! Unbelievable considering we have had him for literally 48 hours. He’s definitely up for interaction via whistles but is still nervous when we open the cage for food. He’s fine if we sit next to the cage, or put our hands up to the cage. He has 3 bowls, 1 for pellet and seed mixed, one for water and the third is his daily veggie that he hasn’t touched. He’s also all about the millet we put in there. That’s staying for now, but when it’s gone, it’s gone. He wants it, so I’m thinking that will be his reward when he’s settled in and ready for training.

He also started calling out randomly when we aren’t in the room. When we hear it we try to whistle back and go check on him.

On a side note, we tend to keep the house at 68-70. How do we know if he’s to warm? It’s comfortable for us people so I would think it’s fine for Skye. Just wondering what cues would mean he’s to warm.

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Laurasea

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Aug 2, 2018
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Such an awesome update!
At 70 he isn't going to be to warm, they evolved for hot temps. The biggest fear is to cold. Cold he will be fluffed and shiver, holding one foot tucked for warmth. But tucking a foot to rest is normal.

Try offering the veggies on the bottom of the cage on a small flat dish, or hang a leaf of romaine. They don't like to dip their heads in deep dark dishes. Cuz a predator might get them!!!

I know your new big cage hasn't come yet. But I hope you will ad a rope perch. And maybe cut some papper into a small fringe like a hula skirt. Mine like chomping at paper.

Skye such a pretty bird!!! I just love his color. Your daughter must be so happy!!
 

bug_n_flock

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Jan 2, 2018
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207
Isolated Holler in the Appalachian Wilderness
Parrots
B&G Macaw, Galah, 5 cockatiels, 50 billion and a half budgies. We breed and do rescue. Too many to list each individual's name and age etc, but they are each individuals and loved dearly.
Skye is lovely. I agree with the everything Laura said! I bet he would appreciate a few more toys. ;)



You could also try chopped kale or a floret of broccoli clipped to the cage bars. Hay is sort of controversial, but high quality hay free from mold(maybe a small bale of Oxbow timothy hay) is, in my opinion, a great thing to give budgies. They will have fun shredding, nibbling, etc it. But make sure it is high quality clean mold free hay!


Sounds like you guys are off to a great start. :)
 
OP
I
Nov 12, 2019
240
7
New England
Parrots
4 budgies, 1 cockatiel, 1 canary winged parakeet
  • Thread Starter
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  • #4
Such an awesome update!
At 70 he isn't going to be to warm, they evolved for hot temps. The biggest fear is to cold. Cold he will be fluffed and shiver, holding one foot tucked for warmth. But tucking a foot to rest is normal.

Try offering the veggies on the bottom of the cage on a small flat dish, or hang a leaf of romaine. They don't like to dip their heads in deep dark dishes. Cuz a predator might get them!!!

I know your new big cage hasn't come yet. But I hope you will ad a rope perch. And maybe cut some papper into a small fringe like a hula skirt. Mine like chomping at paper.

Skye such a pretty bird!!! I just love his color. Your daughter must be so happy!!



The rope is here but to long for this cage. I ordered a 30 something inch length for the larger cage. We have a lot of toys but most are just to big for this cage. It would be crowded. He won’t touch his pineapple. I even hid sunflower seeds on it. He refuses to touch it. I’m sure with time he will get curious. I agree with you, he is stunning to look at! Which is why the breeder held onto him. No clue what his genetics are. I honestly don’t care as long as he’s happy and healthy.


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OP
I
Nov 12, 2019
240
7
New England
Parrots
4 budgies, 1 cockatiel, 1 canary winged parakeet
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  • #5
Skye is lovely. I agree with the everything Laura said! I bet he would appreciate a few more toys. ;)



You could also try chopped kale or a floret of broccoli clipped to the cage bars. Hay is sort of controversial, but high quality hay free from mold(maybe a small bale of Oxbow timothy hay) is, in my opinion, a great thing to give budgies. They will have fun shredding, nibbling, etc it. But make sure it is high quality clean mold free hay!


Sounds like you guys are off to a great start. :)



Toys...yeah...it’s been a bit of a challenge. We have many, but they won’t work with this TEMPORARY set up. I’m honestly disgusted with the company building his CUSTOM cage, and we shall leave it at that. He has chopped kale, turnip, sweet potato, and broccoli offered twice per day. He won’t touch it. Tomorrow I’ll try with a plate on the bottom of his cage and hope he’s interested. If not, no big deal. He’ll get there eventually...he was eating veggies at the pet store. I’ve also ordered stainless steel dishes. They are pretty shallow. That’s what he is used to eating out of so hopefully that will make a difference.

How funny that you suggest Timothy hay. I know it’s a great food choice for guinea pigs, and rodents. It helps to wear down their constantly growing teeth and is a great source of fiber. I might add some just to see what he does with it. I’ve also noticed he HATES having anything clipped to the top of his cage. I’m guessing it’s the shadow he doesn’t like?

I do try to research as much as possible before bringing a new species home. We currently have 3 different species of hermit crabs, 3 cats, and the 1 parakeet. Previously we had a Siberian Husky, a rabbit, and mice.

Yup...we love animals of ALL shapes and sizes. :).




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Laurasea

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Aug 2, 2018
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Pineapple isn't the best thing to be feeding. Veggies are usually more appealing to them. Fresh corn on the cob, cut a little off and let him try that. It's a good starter food that isn't a seed. Trying to say he will like that, and a slice if apple. They really seem to love the lettace type leaves. Mine like the edges of leaf best. ;)
 
OP
I
Nov 12, 2019
240
7
New England
Parrots
4 budgies, 1 cockatiel, 1 canary winged parakeet
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #7
Pineapple isn't the best thing to be feeding. Veggies are usually more appealing to them. Fresh corn on the cob, cut a little off and let him try that. It's a good starter food that isn't a seed. Trying to say he will like that, and a slice if apple. They really seem to love the lettace type leaves. Mine like the edges of leaf best. ;)



It’s a shredder toy shaped like a pineapple...not an actual pineapple.It’s hanging off one of his perches towards the bottom of the cage. I haven’t offered him any fruit other than a slice of pear, which he ignored. Sorry for the confusion!


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OP
I
Nov 12, 2019
240
7
New England
Parrots
4 budgies, 1 cockatiel, 1 canary winged parakeet
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #9
The plate on the bottom sort of worked. At least he’s checking out his selection! I added the millet hoping he would at least fly down there. Of coarse he chose the millet instead of the veggies but I’m taking this as a win anyways!

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SailBoat

Supporting Member
Jul 10, 2015
17,643
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Western, Michigan
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DYH Amazon
You're want to cut the silence is a great idea. Adding either music or news based radio is great.

Contact calls are a truly wonderful way to announce a very wide cross-section of communications when you are out and around the home. It lets your Parrot know you are around. With time, you will begin to hear your guy not only answer you back, but to call to you.

Enjoy!!!
 

Laurasea

Well-known member
Aug 2, 2018
12,593
10,702
USA
Parrots
Full house
Glad the millit helped distract him from feathers, glad the dish is leading to exploring!
You might like this YouTube
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jw3bKHjxLAU"]11 Life Hacks for Budgie Owners (tips & tricks) - YouTube[/ame]
 

Jasmine333

New member
Dec 7, 2019
291
Media
2
2
Oklahoma
Parrots
Green and Yellow Male Budgie
With tomorrow being Monday and this being Skye’s first week work week home we spent a good chunk of the day playing different types of music to see what Skye seems to like. I don’t like sitting in silence, so why would he...right?
The little devil LOVES Ariana Grande, 7 rings specifically. He gets this little bob going and chirps along. SO PRECIOUS! Every time I tried to catch him dancing or singing along with the camera he went absolutely still and quiet. Performance anxiety maybe? Silly bird.
He seems to prefer upbeat dance type songs.
For any of you with kids...he also likes Moana, Descendants, and Frozen 2. Frozen...not so much.
So much personality in such a tiny little body. [emoji177]

We also set up a code that means we are entering the room. We knock softly twice then whistle to him. When we open the door he chirps back! Unbelievable considering we have had him for literally 48 hours. He’s definitely up for interaction via whistles but is still nervous when we open the cage for food. He’s fine if we sit next to the cage, or put our hands up to the cage. He has 3 bowls, 1 for pellet and seed mixed, one for water and the third is his daily veggie that he hasn’t touched. He’s also all about the millet we put in there. That’s staying for now, but when it’s gone, it’s gone. He wants it, so I’m thinking that will be his reward when he’s settled in and ready for training.

He also started calling out randomly when we aren’t in the room. When we hear it we try to whistle back and go check on him.

On a side note, we tend to keep the house at 68-70. How do we know if he’s to warm? It’s comfortable for us people so I would think it’s fine for Skye. Just wondering what cues would mean he’s to warm.

View attachment 23350



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I play music for Oliver too, either soft country or folk/pop. One of his favorites is "Put the lime in the coconut". He sings and chirps a lot when that plays. He likes folk music by Donovan too.
 
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