New Budgie Buddies

[Jcas]

So, I know my buddy Cooper only passed away on Thursday but the plan was always to get a new bird(s). I was letting my remaining budgie, Fay Wray, dictate how soon that would be. Some birds seem to like a little time to grieve on their own, others seem to be better with getting a new friend right away. It was pretty clear to me that Fay was feeling lonely and really missing having a budgie friend. She’s never been an only bird before. She barely would come out of the cage and I only heard a few forlorn chirps all day.

So, I headed off to the nearest pet store and brought back not one but two little cuties! Fortunately, at the time, the store only had five parakeets to choose from or my brain probably would blown a few circuits trying to pick. I instantly fell in love with a little green pied baby. He was so adorable . He and a beautiful gray and white budgie seemed to be hanging out together and I got the sense that they were already buddies so I took them both home. I’m glad I did because they really are obviously friends; hanging out, preening each other, eating together etc. They are super sweet little guys and are settling right in no problem.

Fay is already much happier just having some other budgie friends in the same room ( different cages, for now of course). She’s been flying around, chirping back and forth with them and no longer moping.

I name all of my budgies after old movie stars and since one of the new ones is gray and white, my brother suggested I name him after an actor who starred in black and white films. He came up with Charlie Chaplin, so of course a reasonable name for the green baby is Buster Keaton! Honestly, though, Buster Keaton ( the bird) is so young that I don’t know for sure if he’s a boy so there could be a name change in a couple months, lol!
Anyhow, all that to say: meet

the newest additions to my flock: Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton!

Postscript: thoughts on leg bands? They already have closed bands I assume put on by the breeder. Is it safe to leave them on? None of my other birds ever had them.

 

[AprilRobin]

I am so glad that you brought them home, and you made it possible for them to stay together!

 

[LaManuka]

So, I know my buddy Cooper only passed away on Thursday but the plan was always to get a new bird(s). I was letting my remaining budgie, Fay Wray, dictate how soon that would be. Some birds seem to like a little time to grieve on their own, others seem to be better with getting a new friend right away. It was pretty clear to me that Fay was feeling lonely and really missing having a budgie friend. She’s never been an only bird before. She barely would come out of the cage and I only heard a few forlorn chirps all day.

So, I headed off to the nearest pet store and brought back not one but two little cuties! Fortunately, at the time, the store only had five parakeets to choose from or my brain probably would blown a few circuits trying to pick. I instantly fell in love with a little green pied baby. He was so adorable . He and a beautiful gray and white budgie seemed to be hanging out together and I got the sense that they were already buddies so I took them both home. I’m glad I did because they really are obviously friends; hanging out, preening each other, eating together etc. They are super sweet little guys and are settling right in no problem.

Fay is already much happier just having some other budgie friends in the same room ( different cages, for now of course). She’s been flying around, chirping back and forth with them and no longer moping.

I name all of my budgies after old movie stars and since one of the new ones is gray and white, my brother suggested I name him after an actor who starred in black and white films. He came up with Charlie Chaplin, so of course a reasonable name for the green baby is Buster Keaton! Honestly, though, Buster Keaton ( the bird) is so young that I don’t know for sure if he’s a boy so there could be a name change in a couple months, lol!
Anyhow, all that to say: meetView attachment 80626 the newest additions to my flock: Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton!

Postscript: thoughts on leg bands? They already have closed bands I assume put on by the breeder. Is it safe to leave them on? None of my other birds ever had them.

Oh they're gorgeous babies, @Jcas! Personally I always get my vet to remove leg bands, my poor Lilly got stuck because of hers once so they can be a little problematic IMO. I do think budgies are better off with little buddies so I'm glad Fay's got some new friends

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Such pretty budgies! I'm willing to bet that both are boys. The cere of the pied is very pinkish and that would mean male. Even this young I can usually tell the baby boys from baby girls.

A lot of my budgies have bands and I've never had a problem with them but if you want them removed let a vet do it. Their legs are so tiny and fragile- they can easily break.

Personally, I wouldn't have the bands removed. It would be very stressful on the bird to be held and restrained for as long as it may take to remove them and budgies can die from the stress.

 

[Jcas]

Such pretty budgies! I'm willing to bet that both are boys. The cere of the pied is very pinkish and that would mean male. Even this young I can usually tell the baby boys from baby girls.

A lot of my budgies have bands and I've never had a problem with them but if you want them removed let a vet do it. Their legs are so tiny and fragile- they can easily break.

Personally, I wouldn't have the bands removed. It would be very stressful on the bird to be held and restrained for as long as it may take to remove them and budgies can die from the stress.

Thanks for the input on leg bands and gender, DonnaBudgie! I was definitely leaning towards Buster Keaton being a boy not just by cere color but also his general personality. But it’s nice to have an experienced budgie person confirm my suspicion
I’m glad to hear you’ve never had issues with leg bands; I’ve heard both sides so they make me a little nervous and I was trying to determine risk vs benefit of leaving them on or removing them. I think I’ll leave them for now.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Some of my English Budgies have two bands put on by the breeder. One is the regular band and one is a color coded "family band" that tells him at a glance who the parents are so he doesn't breed birds that are too closely related. I wouldn't dare try to have them removed in fear it would either stress the birds to death or break a leg.
I don't like leg bands, but commercial breeders usually use them and show breeders must use them to show their birds. If I decide to breed English budgies for show (I may do that next year) I'll have to learn how to put the bands on babies at about 10 days old. They say it's really easy but I wouldn't want to hurt a baby bird. Maybe I'll have the vet do it and show me how.

 

[AprilRobin]

I forgot to comment on this yesterday. I agree with DonnaBudgie - Buster Keaton appears to be male. Two of our males, Topaz and Thunder, appeared to be a similar age when we brought each of them home. Their ceres were the same color.

 

[Jcas]

Fay can’t wait for me to let her new friends out . Soon, guys; I promise!