Budgie + Quaker, friends?

[Aandeg]

http://www.parrotforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=12891&stc=1&d=1418594738

Should I be allowing this type of behavior? The budgie is preening the quaker. The quaker loves it. It it dangerous or can I trust them to not hurt each other?

It was pretty sweet. SweeDee, the budgie, saw me scritching Niimi and came over after I stopped. Niimi bent his head down and invited scratches from SweeDee.

They often sit next to each other but this was the first preening action between them. And I don't let them enter the other's cage.

 

[Kalidasa]

What a cute pic I would say just keep an eye, but they look like they're becoming fast friends. Keeping them out of each other's cages is a good idea though. Quakers (as you know) can be a bit cage aggressive, but on neutral ground or cage tops can be ok. A Quaker I fostered was very gentle and nice to my budgies, and they've accepted my conure as part of the flock and vice/versa and can be left out together all day with no problems. And of course grooming each other is an excellent sign of acceptance.

 

[RavensGryf]

So cute! My budgie does hang out with my parrots. The parrots have their moods, and sometimes I fear for Twigs, but he is the only fully flighted one and I feel that he has he instinct and quick reflexes enough to get away fast if he needs to. Most of the time my parrots either accept him or shoo him away by threatening and chasing him, but I can tell that they're bluffing. If they REALLY meant business they'd go at him even faster and there would be no doubt, but I can tell the difference. I'd like to believe they won't though, because they have accepted him (to an extent) into their flock. Still, just like ANY interaction with any birds vastly smaller and larger, OR just like cats and dogs who have parrot friends, there can be a risk more or less depending on the individuals. Hanging out with the parrots makes Twigs happy, so I think it's worth it to let him.

My budgie Twigs is about 30 grams. Raven my Pionus is about 230 grams, and will not buddy up with him, but he will tolerate him sitting close half the time. Griffin the Ruppell's parrot is probably about 110-115g and will actually "kiss" with Twigs sometimes.

The problem comes when Twigs doesn't know not to get in the way at the food bowl. He will even sit there and challenge and peck at Griffin and Raven when they're at Raven's food bowl. Bad idea. Raven allows Griffin at his bowl at the same time, but Twigs has to wait til their done, then they let him have access. When they're at the food bowl is when I have to watch close and intervene.

I agree that the preening each other means acceptance. They're probably becoming friends

 

[Giggleagain]

I would be afraid to let my parakeets meet my quakers. I'm even afraid to let my parakeets meet each other! I think the risk to the parakeet is much too great to take a chance. If the quaker attacks you will not be fast enough to prevent a tragedy.

 

[Aandeg]

They are pretty good friends now. No bickering over food, the quaker goes in budgie cage but not vice-versa. They contact call if seperated. Budgie follows quaker like a shadow. Lots of preening between them. SweeDee is fully flighted and way quicker than a quaker. Niimi moves in slow motion comparatively.

They are both still very young so the relationship may change. I'll keep watching as they mature and start getting hormonal. Niimi, the quaker was just weened when introduced to SweeDee. SweeDee is probably about six months. She, I think, just lost the bars on her forehead last week. Hopefully meeting at such a young age will keep them friendly.

 

[Aandeg]

These two have become inseparable. They've moved into the same cage together. They sleep against each other in the fuzzy hut. When I take one out for training or playtime the other contact calls. They mimic each other, the budgie has a miniature quaker growl and Niimi has a little budgie "eep."

I'm kinda jealous. I'd rather they bond with me more but there's no seperating them now. And I still get some love. They are awfully cute together.

 

[Allee]

Awww, what a super cute photo of the two friends. My quakers play outside their cages with my budgies and cockatiel, I wouldn't say the quakers are overly fond of the smaller birds but they've never been aggressive toward them.

 

[gracebowen]

My tiel and my budgie get along great. My tiel wanted presented and the budgie was ignoring him. The tiel Jet simply rubbed his head against Aces head then put his head down again. Ace then preened him.

 

[veimar]

I dunno about quakers, but I have a parakeet-gcc bonded pair (both male, presumably) and they are housed together now. If I put them in separate cages they would scream. They've been together for a while and the gcc has never hurt the budgie so far. It's actually a trio because my female lovebird used to have an affair with that budgie and he still mates and cuddles with her occasionally making my gcc very jealous. So I guess it is possible as far as they don't damage each other. Just make sure that the adoration is mutual - does your quaker preen the budgie as well and cuddle with him?

 

[Agapornis]

Awww, what a cute pic! And they sure have a nice view!