Rescue Budgie

[JBjohnsisland]

Hello! I recently had a female budgie fly in while I was reading on my back deck. I didn't know what to do so I decided to keep her. Didn't want owls or hawks in the neighborhood to get her. So now I have a budgie, and have no idea where to go from here. I have her in a large cage, and have plenty of food and water.
How do I know what is normal behavior? She seems a little lethargic, but is that from being out in the wild? She eats and looks healthy, but doesn't engage very much. I'm new to having a bird so any pointers would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[GivemeSeedsorgivemeFlesh]

Maybe someone in the neighborhood is looking for her?

 

[DonnaBudgie]

She's a beauty! She's a mature female light green opaline mutation which makes her head and the back of her neck much more yellow and less black. Her wings have much more yellow and that's a different mutation. Adds up to a very pretty budgie! I'd advertise that you found her (facebook is apparently a good place to do that). But if you can't find her owner you should keep her. The large cage is great. Is she tame at all? She must be to have flown to your porch seeking food and water. She's probably very tired from her travels with no food so it's not surprising she's a bit lethargic. Give her time to rest and refuel and she'll be fine. Do you have other birds? Have you ever? If you have any dogs or cats please keep her safe!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I just saw that you've never had birds. Well, you have one now! Any questions just ask. Offer her a leaf of greens like romaine or spinach. She may not nibble on it right away but keep giving it to her. She will need a few bird toys. Avoid anything with mirrors. Female budgies often don't like other females and she may try to attack her reflection.

Hello! I recently had a female budgie fly in while I was reading on my back deck. I didn't know what to do so I decided to keep her. Didn't want owls or hawks in the neighborhood to get her. So now I have a budgie, and have no idea where to go from here. I have her in a large cage, and have plenty of food and water.
How do I know what is normal behavior? She seems a little lethargic, but is that from being out in the wild? She eats and looks healthy, but doesn't engage very much. I'm new to having a bird so any pointers would be much appreciated. Thanks!View attachment 79659View attachment 79660

 

[JBjohnsisland]

Maybe someone in the neighborhood is looking for her?

I tried reaching out, but no one seems to know where she came from.

 

[JBjohnsisland]

She's a beauty! She's a mature female light green opaline mutation which makes her head and the back of her neck much more yellow and less black. Her wings have much more yellow and that's a different mutation. Adds up to a very pretty budgie! I'd advertise that you found her (facebook is apparently a good place to do that). But if you can't find her owner you should keep her. The large cage is great. Is she tame at all? She must be to have flown to your porch seeking food and water. She's probably very tired from her travels with no food so it's not surprising she's a bit lethargic. Give her time to rest and refuel and she'll be fine. Do you have other birds? Have you ever? If you have any dogs or cats please keep her safe!

I've reached out to find the owner, but no luck. So I'm going to keep her, and see about getting her a buddy. She's not too tame. She gets spooked pretty easily, but she's also in a strange new place. I do have my Labrador but she's more curious than anything. I do put my dog in another room when I try to bond with her. It's only day two(ish) since I brought her in, so I'm hoping she gets used to the new environment and maybe bringing another budgie will boost her spirits some. Thanks for the tips!

 

[Zilga]

I tried reaching out, but no one seems to know where she came from.

If you're in the US, craigslist, local Facebook groups, veterinarians, fliers, the SPCA, and 911 parrot alert can all be good to try. They can get surprisingly far from home.