Button & Ava

[rheashard2]

I had no problems teaching Nameliss to lie on her back. Put a birdie poo diaper on her and she forgets she has feet! She got her revenge. In a moment of inattention she removed the stitches. I never replaced it. Carrying a cat or puppy like this is cute. Carrying a bird who is imitating a pup or kitty is embarrassing. I laid her on a table for several minutes. I gave in and picked her up. I wasn't sure how long a bird could safely stay laying on their back.

 

[nkrbkr]

‘Tis the season for hand blankies.

 

[LaManuka]

‘Tis the season for hand blankies.
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Awwwwwwww! That's pretty gosh darned cute, and you know me, I'm a BIG fan of birdy snuggles!!

 

[nkrbkr]

Awwwwwwww! That's pretty gosh darned cute, and you know me, I'm a BIG fan of birdy snuggles!!

He’s such a snuggle bug in the winter. Just my type of bird.

 

[LaManuka]

He’s such a snuggle bug in the winter. Just my type of bird.

I am SO lucky the hot weather hasn't put Lovejoy off his snuggle time, I don't know what I'd do without it!

 

[rheashard2]

An excellent birdie snuggle blanket.

 

[nkrbkr]

We’re decorating the house today for Christmas. Cages/bird stands all got a good cleaning, & Butterbean is getting some decorations too. These toys are from one of my favorite parrot stores. Button had the little snowman last year, and loved it. Ava will get her festive toys in a few days, after she finishes chewing what’s in her cage currently.

 

[LaManuka]

We’re decorating the house today for Christmas. Cages/bird stands all got a good cleaning, & Butterbean is getting some decorations too. These toys are from one of my favorite parrot stores. Button had the little snowman last year, and loved it. Ava will get her festive toys in a few days, after she finishes chewing what’s in her cage currently.
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Ooooo I LOVE these!! Take plenty of pics of Ava and Button enjoying their toys won't you @nkrbkr? They'll make awesome POTM entries for December!

 

[rheashard2]

I agree. Take plenty of pictures.

 

[nkrbkr]

Is this the bird equivalent of a big dog thinking it’s a lapdog? A big bird wanting to be on my head.

 

[LaManuka]

Is this the bird equivalent of a big dog thinking it’s a lapdog? A big bird wanting to be on my head.

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Best looking hair accessory ever! Course my hubby has one too, only he really doesn't have much hair!!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Aren't they called fascinators?

 

[rheashard2]

Is this the bird equivalent of a big dog thinking it’s a lapdog? A big bird wanting to be on my head.

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Looks like; I am too cute, to be denied of anything. That look is precious.

 

[nkrbkr]

Ava’s festive toys. The one with the sweater is from the same shop as Button’s festive toys. I made the one with the gnome, as this girl needs BIG balsa toys, and they’re hard to find. I have another coming as well, with pine cones. She seems to really like those.

 

[nkrbkr]

Chewing on it right away. I swear, I could have built a tiny house with the amount of wood this girl has gone through in the last six months.

Speaking of, anyone know where to find bulk balsa in Canada? I usually buy it from parrot shops, but one of them tends to run out of stock. It would be cheaper to just get it from a supplier.

 

[rheashard2]

I purchase from Bonka Bird Toys. They're online. I have gotten bulk balsa balls from them. Main store is in Florida, USA . Nameliss is kinda ambivalent about balsa. So mine lasts months.

Large Bird Toys - Bonka Bird Toys

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[DonnaBudgie]

Poplar is an inexpensive wood that harder than balsa but still easy for most parrots to enjoy destroying. You can get it at any store like Lowes or Home Depot.

 

[nkrbkr]

Thanks! Is poplar harder than pine? I give Ava thin pine slats on toys periodically, but she doesn’t like it nearly as much as balsa, unfortunately.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

According to Google AI, poplar is slightly harder than pine but is still considered a softwood. Balsa is the softest wood which may be what you want but my birds destroy balsa very quickly and pine and poplar last longer. You'd be surprised at the damage even a single budgie, especially a hormonal female, can quickly do to a wood toy! Does Ava prefer balsa because it's easier to destroy or do you think there's another reason?

Most dowel rods are made from poplar. Oak are available but more expensive. Most dowel perches are poplar.

 

[nkrbkr]

According to Google AI, poplar is slightly harder than pine but is still considered a softwood. Balsa is the softest wood which may be what you want but my birds destroy balsa very quickly and pine and poplar last longer. You'd be surprised at the damage even a single budgie, especially a hormonal female, can quickly do to a wood toy! Does Ava prefer balsa because it's easier to destroy or do you think there's another reason?

Most dowel rods are made from poplar. Oak are available but more expensive. Most dowel perches are poplar.

I think she prefers the balsa because it’s soft. She will often ignore pine, and only chews it periodically. Balsa is definitely her top pick. For a larger bird, she surprisingly is a softer chewer.