Budgies gone, getting cockatiel.

[Tjmcnee]

Recently my budgies flew away, because my mum accidentally left the cage door open (they live outside). I was pretty sad about it, but mum thought they are in a better place, since they have never had a free flight before (because they will fly away). So I decided to get a cockatiel! Can anybody please put a link to a ‘how to raise a cockatiel’ page? Thank you!

If you are wondering what it’s name it’s going to be, I don’t know.....

 

[Sunnyclover]

Firstly, Your mom is wrong they are not in a better place because they have no idea how to live in the wild and will likely die of starvation or get eaten by a predator. That's why bird rescues and things like that exist for people who can't take care of their birds anymore and you don't just let them free I to the wild where they are certainly going to die unless someone finds them and takes them in.

Secondly, you need to try to look for your lost pets. Put up flyers and ask around because someone may have found them and is looking for their owner. You should be much sadder about this and the fact that you aren't makes me think you're not ready for a cockatiel because cockatiels are much more work and need much more of your time and I wouldn't think that the cockatiel should live outside because it needs hours of attention a day and to be loved and fulfilled if it doesn't not have a mate you will need to fill that role. Please reconsider this choice as a cockatiel lives up to 20years and it's a very very long commitment.

 

[texsize]

What do you mean by raise? are you getting an un-weaned baby?
I would not recommend that unless you have experience with hand feeding babies and the necessary equipment.

Hope your Budgies do ok. At least you live where they are native, maybe they can join a wild flock.

texsize

 

[GaleriaGila]

I'm scared... will your mom decide your cockatiel should be released?
Agreeing with above remarks!
I'm glad you're reaching out for some great advice here!

 

[Tjmcnee]

We didn’t noticed until aftter a day they were gone, since they are outside and we only go outside to replace water, food, or hang the clothes. Also our printer is out of ink, and my picture of them was not with me. I’ve also asked afew people to look for them. It’s just I’m busy at school, and I go somewhere else on the weekends. So, I’m really sorry I haven’t looked for them yet. And the cage door left open was just a innocent accident.

And texsize, I’m not getting a baby, well kinda... It’s going to have to be 6 or more months to me to allow one. Also yes I do live where they are native. I’m in Australia, so I do hear budgies flying around sometimes.

 

[Anansi]

I'm guessing that you're rather young, right? I only ask because if that is the case you need to make sure that your mother is on the same page as regards having birds in the first place. I'm so sorry that your budgies flew away. I know that must've been a hard blow. But before you get another bird you should do two things.

First: Try your best to find your budgies. As was mentioned earlier, it is quite possible they have been found... or that they will be. You owe it to them, and to yourself, to at least try to find them, right? You can start by making flyers and posting them up in local supermarkets and such. Also, get the word out with your local police department, veterinary offices, rescues, anywhere someone might conceivably go to surrender a found bird.

You can also post on Facebook, and sites like Petfinder.com. Heck, you should post right here! We have quite a few Australian members in this community. Believe me, there are stories of people on this very forum who have found their birds even over a month or two after having lost them. It does happen.

Second: If you have exhausted all possible means of finding your budgies and have met with no success after another 2 or 3 months, you might want to have a discussion with your mother about getting a cockatiel. I suggest that you read this link together: What Students Should Ask Before Getting a Bird. - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community as well as this one: http://www.parrotforums.com/new-mem...friendly-warnings-keep-your-parrots-safe.html Why? because you both need to be on the exact same page about what getting a bird can mean. And you should both also discuss how your budgies were lost. Something like that can't be allowed to happen again. (And there are so many other dangers that a companion parrot might face.)

I don't say all this to point a finger about what happened with your budgies. Accidents happen, of course, and I'm sure you and your mom feel badly enough about it. No judgement, here. I just want you to take a beat or two before moving on to your next bird.

All that done, then feel free to check out our Cockatiel sub-forum. You'll find tons of valuable info there.

 

[Owlet]

I really don't think it's a good idea to get a cockatiel. You sound really young and leaving a cage door open isn't an "innocent" accident, accident sure but, as the people above said it could very well lead to the death of the budgies as they've been captive presumably all their life. Not to mention you have school and "somewhere else on the weekends" doesn't sound like a good lifestyle for a parrot that needs lots of attention. And I can't speak for the others but honestly the nonchalant attitude towards lost companions is rather upsetting.

 

[Anansi]

I wrote my prior post before reading your last one, Tjmcnee. But if your time really is as limited as it seems to be in your post, then perhaps you are not ready for a bird right now. Birds need more than food and water. They need time and interaction. Love and socialization. They need you, their parront.

If you don't have the time to give them that, you should wait until you do. Okay?

 

[Tjmcnee]

Understood. My mum does go on the pet forum on Facebook quite often! So we will know when someone gets them I also planned to have the cockatiel inside, with plenty of sunlight and fresh air. I will only put the cage outside when supervised. We have learned from our mistake and try and not make it happen again.

 

[MonicaMc]

I'm just going to leave these here....

http://www.parrotforums.com/lost-found/49129-bring-them-home-tips-locating-lost-bird.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/lost-found/11253-lost-found-parrot-reporting-alerting-register.html

 

[Sunnyclover]

For goodness sake please do not get a cockatiel and only go outside to feed and water it and to hang up clothes as you did with the budgies. I know you said it would be inside but I just want to make triple sure. I would also like to say I don't think you're ready for a cockatiel by the naive attitude that you have displayed thus far. I'm sorry if I offend you but that's how I feel. I hope you find your budgies though...if you find them please give them more love and attention than before. They would really like it and can be a wonderful pet that has tons of character and can be taught to talk and do tricks.

 

[Cardinal]

If you are keeping birds outside, it may be a good idea if you can afford it, to have a double barricaded enclosure. So that if you accidentally unlock one door , the birds will still not escape into harsh outer wilderness, where their chance of survival for more than 12 hours is close to 0%.

 

[Cardinal]

What do you mean by raise? are you getting an un-weaned baby?
Hope your Budgies do ok. At least you live where they are native, maybe they can join a wild flock.

texsize

I actually wouldn't wish for that because captive birds may carry deadly diseases that could pose enormous danger to wild populations.

I know it may sound harsh, but the most likely fate of escaped budgies is a brutal end at the talons of hawk or the claws of a feral cat or some other predator within a max of 48 hours.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

I'm sorry for your Budgies..I have no further comment...I'd get banned from this forum.




Jim

 

[sonja]

I'm also going to suggest you rethink getting another bird of any type at this time. It sounds like you have lots of other things going on, as a young person should, and very limited time to have a bird as a companion, rather than a decoration. You have plenty of time in the future when you will have more time to devote to a pet. There is no need to get one now only to essentially ignore it. And there is no sense saddling yourself with the necessary work to maintain a pet that you also don't have time to enjoy.

 

[wrench13]

I have 2 suggestions. Harsh, but suggestions.

1) You and the family are not ready for the close bond one forms with a companion bird.
You sound like the laundry lost a pair of socks

2) If you do convince yourself that your are ready, there is a sure fire way to prevent you mother from releasing any parrots you go get. Actually 2. One is a LOCK, for which you only have the key. The other is to move out.

The cavalier way this was presented is making me ill. Sorry for being so blunt.

 

[LordTriggs]

I think you and your mother need to actually think more than not at all about this

you paid no attention to the budgies, only ever changing their food and seeing them when you did laundry. Now you want a larger parrot because they escaped. You didn't even look for them, you just instantly went "let's get another bird!"

bear in mind those budgies are dead or dying right now and yes it is entirely the fault of whoever left the cage open, it's not innocent because shutting a cage door isn't hard. If you left a car door open and it got stolen that wouldn't be a harmless mistake.

I'm going to assume you are young yourself so wont sit here bashing you but your mother needs a dose of reality. They're not stuffed toys or ornaments to make the place pretty or sound nice, they're living creatures. If you want birds around I suggest a bird feeder.

 

[Anansi]

Okay, all. Just going to cut in here a moment. I've had to edit a post or two, here. Believe me, I understand fully the passion behind your posts. I really do. But I wonder if some of you don't realize that the recipient of these posts is a member significantly younger than the rest of us who have replied thus far? Let's try to keep the comments constructive and with less of an edge, please. I bet the very good advice being imparted here will be better received if not wrapped in barbed wire and wielded like a bat.

I'm not saying this has been true of all posts, here. But enough to warrant comment. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

 

[reeb]

Guys, let's not be a bunch of adults ganging up on a child. It isn't fair. I'm not going to throw my own opinions into the mix because I feel that enough has been said. As Anansi said, the OP is most likely much younger than anyone else here. We need to be a little sensitive.

 

[Cardinal]

Guys, let's not be a bunch of adults ganging up on a child. It isn't fair. I'm not going to throw my own opinions into the mix because I feel that enough has been said. As Anansi said, the OP is most likely much younger than anyone else here. We need to be a little sensitive.

I more or less agree with you. And let us not forget that this phenomenon of budgies escaping and meeting a not so good end is probably happening to 100s if not 1000s of budgies on a daily basis across the globe.

In this case , it has been brought to our attention.

When I was young, my grandfather left the door open by mistake and one of my favourite budgies escaped. I was 13 at that time.

My suggestion to this person would be to go through a mourning period of say 6 months- the birds deserve that much. Use these 6 months to learn more about birds before taking any decision on getting more birds.