Hello! Budgies to Bourkes!

Hi there, everyone,

This is my first post. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, and recently lost my EnglishxAmerican budgie of 6+ years and recently gave away my other american budgie. I am now getting two juvenile Bourkes parakeets! I am getting the first one, tomorrow, and the other one (from a different clutch) has a few more weeks to go.

I am still sad about losing my budgie buddies, but likewise excited about a whole new species of birds to me! I just deep cleaned my cage and re-set up toys in what is hopefully a more Bourkie friendly arrangement!

I am going to pose this question seperately, but will also present it, here. We all know the dangers of silicone when being used while heated when cooking. Do we know using a silcone mat at the bottom of a cage, completely not-heated, would pose a risk for parakeet type birds? I am wanting to set up a more ground friendly space for the youngin, but not sure if it is a completely terrible and off the table idea or actually a reasonable and good one.

Would love to hear thoughts on the subject, especially from anyone who may have experience with this or actually understands the science to a degree. Not so interested in a whole bunch of "I wouldn't do it!"s without any substance as to why, as I am definitely familiar as to the dangers of the off gassing of silicone when actually heated. Hoping for actual answers, and not just opinions. (but if you just want to say hi AND share your opinion, of course, go ahead!)

Cheers!
Jackie* (closest thing to a Bourkes lol)

Welcome Jackie, my deepest condolences for the loss of your budgie.

You must be excitedly anticipating your forthcoming Bourke's Parakeets. Not familiar with either species, feel free to ask specific questions!

Curious what led to giving away your remaining budgie? Other members will inquire so thought I'd broach the subject. Hopefully you were able to find a safe and loving home.

Hi Scott!

I originally wasn't going to give the remaining budgie away, they are a very hands on bird, intelligent, and fiesty. I couldn't find another budgie buddy. I bought the first Bourkes as I was originally told they would go great together. I was then corrected on that a week and a half later, especially since my remaining budgie tends to be a bit of a bully, it was suggested that I keep them seperate. However, I am a renter, low income, (technically disabled and on SSI) and have somewhat unstable housing due to the aforementioned things. So of course I thought about dividers and second cages... neither of which would have provided a budgie buddy. During covid here in the bay area, budgies are getting scooped up left and right for an indoors pet... I tried animal care and control, craigslists, etc... no budgies. Which is how I ended up with a Bourkes to begin with, was the only reasonable bird available at the time. When I found out that they would be incompatible, I decided getting a second cage at this time would not be realistic (I am about to move, and the birds always have to live in my bedroom to ensure their safety in a house with roommates) a cage divider wouldn't be fair to either bird... and, well... I basically owned that I made a big mistake based upon misinformation and that I needed to take responsibility for it. So I put my own budgie post on CL, and... I have never gotten so many responses to a pet ad before in my entire life! The very first people who wrote me ended up being the ones to get my remaining budgie, who is now living with a cockatiel who used to have a budgie friend that they likewise could not find a replacement for. It was sad. But they have decent bird experience, and I feel confident I made the right decision for all parties involved, even if it was not the happiest decision. Here is a pic of them if it shows up... Bellatrix is the blue one who is the one I gave away, and Alaistair is the one that passed. Love them both, so much, always and forever. Have had budgies before them, but they were the first I got really into training and they will always have a special place in my heart.

Welcome to the forum!

Welcome to you and yours!

Thanks Jackie, beautiful budgies! I'm glad Bellatrix found a nice home. Completely understand your housing situation and you've taken great effort to provide the Bourke's a comfortable cage.

Sorry to pull this off topic, but I never saw silicone mentioned as dangerous before.
I got rid of all my potentially teflon related items before my budgies ever came home, but I still have a silicone baking pan! I'd read it was safe.

Does anyone have any sources about silicone being dangerous I can look at?

yes, do not cook with them... there is a lot of info out there about it, I am not sure where everything is on here but you can do a forum search on "silicone" otherwise I am sure it is mentioned somewhere in this thread: http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/449-toxic-list-our-birds.html

Cheers!