budgie

[kvet]

This young budgie was discovered in the parental units' garage yesterday evening, must've flown in when they left in the morning, because poor thing was duty and dirty and ran to humans. Promptly purchased a cage, food, and gave it water. Survived the night, but today is much more timid than last night - I'd really like to clean its claws and feathers from the dirt and dust, but just too jumpy right now.

Hopefully we can find its owner or a new home, I'm not prepared for a pet right now.

Well, I do have my sourdough starter, but it stays in the fridge 99% of the time. That's the ideal pet.

[Leafmite]

Very pretty! If you don't find the original owner, perhaps you might consider keeping the little bird. Budgies are easy and cheap to keep and they are so rewarding. They just need a bag of seed now and then and, if you feel like splurging, they love nibbling on fruit, vegetables, lemon grass, and many other herbs (just a little piece of fruit). Taming requires patience but once they are tame and trust you, they can be great fun.
Budgies like to be clean and will usually take care of this themselves if they can. If you put in a shallow saucer of water, the bird will probably take a bath, then preen itself.

I have always had budgies. Our current budgie is quiet compared to all the others we have ever had though she is trying to talk. She likes to get next to my computer screen and watch budgie videos which is really cute. She is very friendly, gentle, and follows us around the house. She hops right on anyone's finger when it is offered. She helps herself to my herbs and likes to play in my plants.

[kvet]

We had a few budgies when I was <10. They are curious, full of personality, and fun! But sooo messy, fragile, and needy (even with a companion). I really don't want this kind of responsibility in my life now, but alas, looks like I'm going to end up keeping it - parental units will care for it when I travel.

Hard to tell in the photo just how dusty and dirty the poor guy is. I'm also concerned about it eating my plants once he's tame enough to let out of the cage.. I have many that are no-go for birds. And then I rarely use a heater in the winter so now I may need to for the little guy.

Ugh! Now he's all poofed up and grinding his beak and I'm looking for a better cage *face palm*

I taught my sourdough starter how to stay and roll over! Wonder if this bird will do that, too. Hmmm.

LM, do you keep their wings clipped?

[Leafmite]

No, I don't clip the wings of my birds any more. I now go slower with the process of the bird getting accustomed to me and teaching her to trust me before I begin the finger training. My current little birdie was very skittish and it took a long time to gain her trust before I could even begin to train her (there are good videos on how to finger train a bird).

My parakeet goes for the herbs and leaves the other plants alone. She might nibble a bit but not bite into the other plants so there is no damage. Of course, I always keep an eye on her (as I did with the other birds).

Good luck with the little one. I would not know how to clean a bird except by giving them water to clean themselves. That might be a good question for the Reddit Budgie forum.

[kvet]

I've got a vet appointment with him next week. I told them he's pretty dusty, maybe they can come up with a way to clean him. I read online they can be wiped down with a damp cloth, but, he's pretty timid now and I don't want to startle him. Some of the dust has already begun coming off as he does the fffrrrrrrrrrttttttt ruffle thing. Hasn't picked up the comfort yet to explore the very boring cage. Need vet visit before any accessorizing.

[Leafmite]

It is difficult not to get carried away when putting in the toys....

[kvet]

Hahahaha
I spy the little dudette in the background!