Budgie Snuggler

02/10/2021

All birds love enrichment - blind Evie LOVES her fresh grass seeds! 💕
🦜 Do you have a special needs bird? What are their favourite things? 🦜

20/09/2021

🌿 Spring time is WILD GRASS TIME!! 🌿
Dont know what to feed? Check out the video below to see what goodies we have picked for our flock 🦜🦜🦜
What wild treats do you feed your birds?

01/08/2021

Enrichment doesnt have to cost a lot!
Recent winds have brought down some branches in my area, so i hopped in the car for a short drive and scored some casuarina (the bottlebrush and grevillea are from our garden). Our birds love chewing the bark from casuarina branches - this branch was too large to do much else with, so i have just laid it on the cage roof for them 😁
It is also (much to Kiwi's delight) wintergrass season... this has been popping up over our lawn. Its a type of grass seed, and our budgies love it fresh. I only pick it from an area that i know has not been sprayed with pesticides, of course.
When collecting branches for your brids, always inspect the branches to ensure no wild bird p**p or mould/fungus is present. Be sure that the branches have not been sprayed with pesticides - this casuarina branch came from a tall, healthy tree at a local park: however the tree branches were so high up i am confident that they would not have been sprayed any time recently by the shire.

31/07/2021

Same species vs different species friendships

Generally speaking, cats and dogs as pets are all the same species. The same cannot be said for the parrots that we welcome into our homes, who are so distantly related that most do not have the ablility to produce viable offspring.
I see so often pairings of different bird species; ranging from a missmatched pair, to an eclectic mix of multiple birds of different species. Often this stems from the realisation that most people are unable to give companion parrots the consistent attention that they crave, and as such many parrot owners realise on some level that their bird needs a "friend".

Why, then, get a "friend" of a different species?

The most common reasons for this appear to result from one of two desires from the human's perspective. The first is a desire to collect or "experience" ownership of a bird of a different species. Why have two that are "the same" when we can have something new and different?
The second common reason appears to be a fear that the new friend will take away the first bird's attentions if they are of the same species: that the bond they form will become too close, to the exclusion of the human.
There are other motivations, including lack of availability of the first species, a concern that the birds will breed (which in many species is not an issue, so long as their diet and environment are well managed), a disinterest in purchasing a second individual of the first species - such as issues with noise or behavioural differences - or, potentially, where the individuals are rescued birds, and availability of company for the same species is restricted due to rescue availability.

Why is mixing species problematic?

Differences in species size can lead to injuries generally inflicted by the bird with the bigger beak: significant damage to the bird with the smaller beak - even if the bird with a bigger beak is actually smaller in stature - can occur. The risk of this occuring is increased due to the fact that the communication between species is usually different - aggressive behaviour, or even simply behaviour saying "go away" from one species, may be minsinterpreted by another.
Differences in general behaviours or demeanours can also make for poor company. As an example, budgerigar males are generally known for their sociability and cheerful disposition: however this sociability can become an iritant to many other species, who can not only become uncomfortable with the barrage of attention a male budgie is likely to give, but find themselves unable to escape this attention due to the agile, persistent movement of the smaller bird. Where a smaller bird repeatedly ignores body language and vocalisations of "no thanks" from a larger bird, injury can often occur.
Differences in personality can cause clashes, but at its core, a lack of compatibility in communication often provides for poor companionship, when compared to a member of their own species.
A final significant issue to consider when keeping different species, is in keeping birds with high feather dust production (generally brids originating from dry climates, including most cockatoos) with birds of low feather dust production (originating from more humid climates). Birds that themselves do not produce a lot of feather dust tend to develop respiratory isues when housed with high dust producing birds, as their bodies have not adapted to dealing with such high quantities of dust. An example would be keping a species of macaw, with a cockatoo species: unless kept in a very well ventilated area such as an outdoor aviary, housing the birds in the same area of a house can cause respiratory illness in a macaw.

Ultimately, the best companion for any parrot will be a member of their own species. While it cannot be guaranteed that any two birds will cohabitate well - like most animals, they have their own personalities, likes and dislikes - having a familiar starting point in a member of their own species, gives the best likelihood of genuine companionship. Forward planning when considering welcoming a parrot into the home is a critical way to avoid problems that may arise from housing different species together: where you can, always consider same species companions, above different species companions.

14/04/2021

Suki was a pet store bird, with damage to her cere (notrils) and beak. I purchased her, to get her vet assessed and treated (it wouldnt have happened in that store!).
Suki's story has become a happy one: however, while birds continue to be sold cheaply, people will continue to see that sale value, as the total value that their lives are worth. "Why spend $60 for a vet consult, on a bird who cost $25?"
Sadly many pet birds suffer and die, with treatable health conditions, because the people who have a duty of care to them, don't want to spend money to restore their health.

Suki - "beloved" - will never be thought of, in terms of her dollar "value". She has her own personality, her own wants and needs. And her life has value to HER.
Welcome to the flock, Suki! 💕💕💕

14/04/2021

I sometimes see people ask: my birds eat only seeds, how do i get my birds to eat pellets?
Feeding pellets should be discussed with your avian vet (budgies and cockatiels for example, should not have a diet that is mostly pelleted).
I have converted my budgies to eating some pellets as part of their normal diet, and i do so by making "pellet balls". Follow this step by step guide, for more information :)

Step 1: blend your pellets using a food processer, into a powder. Some chunks are ok :)
Add a small amount of seed to the mix (this amount will vary: i first introduce these at a 1:2 ratio of seed:pellet, and decrease the seed portion over time).

Step 2: add a small amount of water. Just a little at a time - i will add a photo of the consistency we want, in the comments section. Always use clean utensils!

Step 3: WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY (not pictured... :) )

Step 4: dry your hands, take a small amount of the mix and roll it into a ball - or any shape really, as long as it is reasonably compact. If this is one of the first time presenting these to your birds, you can press the balls into extra seed (so the seed is visible from the outside) as required.

Step 5: present to your birds! I provide this as the only food available, for most of the day: i then feed my birds their normal diet in the eveings. I want them to be hungry enough to forage through the pellet balls, to reach the seeds: but i dont want to starve them.
Note: be sure that these are placed in an area close to their normal feed area, and where they will not get p**ped on or otherwise contaminated (the oellets are very absorbant). If these are placed in the sun, they will become hard quite quickly.

Over time:
-Add less and less seed (this process can stretch for days or weeks, so monitor what they are eating, and dont decrease the seed too quickly)
-Add whole pellets to the mix: roll a few whole pellets into the balls, and provide a few whole pellets scattered around your pellet balls
-Once you are confident your birds are eating the pellet mix, you can slowly add less and less water to the mix, and more pellets. Start introducing a dish of fresh pellets daily to the cage.

***IMPORTANT NOTES***
Keep a record of your birds weight, and monitor their weight during the process of conversion. Make sure they are not losing weight (and if so, provide their regular food, and consult your avian vet)
As above, always give your birds extra foods in the evening. The aim isnt to starve them!
ALWAYS ensure that fresh, clean water is supplied near your pellets, and your pellet balls. I provide a water dish directly next to the pellet bowl.
Once your bird is eating pellets, consider mixing up the brands occasionally. At some point, your local pellet supplier may not carry the brand your birds are accustomed to... feeding them different brands, will make a substitution easier, if it is necessary.
PELLETS CAN GO STALE. Make sure your pellets are kept in an airtight container. When your birds begin eating pellets, give them enough pellets to last only a day or two. They are highly moisture absorbant, so may soak up a stray p**p.
I am not reccomending any specific brands, but consult your avian vet for advice, on what brand will be best, for your birds.
PELLETS ARE NOT A COMPLETE DIET.
Be sure to provide ample fresh veggies, and some fruit (species dependant). Seed and nuts are fine, if they make up a small amount of your birds diet.
I feed free access to pellets and fresh veggie chop daily, with seeds only available during training, or in foraging toys.

16/03/2021

Birds of all abilities can have a rewarding and enriching life.
I see our blind Evie take so much enjoyment from her toys, sensory stimulation (crunchy chewables, fresh veggies, being lightly blown over her belly), and even from the limited flying she is able to safely undertake.
I am so glad that the breeder who gave us Evie, cared enough to find her a dedicated home rather than live her life on the floor of an aviary (thinking about the likely outcomes from this near on bring me to tears - she would have been terrified and alone, and would end up being eaten by something im sure).
A life lived on the floor of a cage is no life at all. A life lived without being able to show your full potential, without opportunities to play, without opportunity to be loved and comforted, is a life that is not worth living, for any bird (or any social animal).

REBEL, BREAKING BARRIERS

Rebel is blind & has developmental delays due to a genetic condition. People make assumptions about the understanding & awareness of a Bird with developmental delays, especially when it co-occurs with blindness. In this article I will list everything Rebel has done that a blind & delayed Bird is never supposed to do. So many angels like him are killed before leaving the nest because their lives are thought to be meaningless & their future presumed to be sitting blankly with no feelings. If you presume competence & help them to shine, there is no limit to the remarkable things they will achieve & the wonderful futures they can go on to have. Please let Rebel be the light that opens your heart to love & see that different is beautiful.

1. PREENED HIS FRIEND- People believe that a developmentally delayed Bird can't form bonds & feel love, especially if they are blind. Rebel's friend Georgie stubbed his toe during play & cried out. Rebel heard the cry & went running over to Georgie & felt around until he found him. When Rebel found Georgie, he kissed & preened him until he felt better. The instant action from Rebel was enough to show that, not only does he love, but he loves beyond measure. None of Georgie's typical friends cared!

2. HE SINGS ALL DAY- People often picture blind &/or delayed Birds as depressed tragedies who sit & mourn in sorrow & suffering endlessly- this simply isn't true. Rebel sings all day with such heart that you can't help but catch his joy. He loves life & all the silly fun to be had.

3. HE RECOGNISES HIS NAME- Delayed Birds reach milestones a little later, but this says nothing about their intelligence, nor does it remove their right to live. People often don't bother to name a developmentally delayed Bird because they believe they won't understand it. Rebel not only understands his full name, but also his nickname 'Rebs' 'Rebbie' 'Bebble bum' & 'Bebs'! If you utter any one of his 5 names, he comes running towards your voice singing with sheer excitement.

4. HE DANCES TO MUSIC- Rebel LOVES to dance! His movements are very uncoordinated due to his developmental delays (even running & walking is tricky) but that doesn't hold him back! Rebel is dancing away long after his friends have got tired!

5. HE PERCHED- Because developmentally delayed &/or blind Birds often reach milestones late, they are often late to perch. Rebel also has low muscle tone due to his genetic condition which makes it harder. Rebel isn't really one for perching, but he loves to sit on the perch to dance! Most people don't think it can ever happen, but Rebel proved them wrong!

It doesn't matter how different a life is, it is still a life to be cherished, supported & loved. So many disabled Birds are killed before they ever get a chance at life because of how people imagine they will turn out, but you don't know! Give them a chance to shine, believe in who they are & honour their right to give life a try. Don't assume that difference is a tragedy, it isn't. Adapting environments to help disabled Birds thrive is their basic right. Unapologetically champion who they are, tell them how beautiful & perfect they are for the differences that make them, them. I can honestly say that every one of my special needs angels, even those who didn't live long, cram more joy, more love & more happiness into a single day than any typical Bird can cram into a lifetime. They simply love being alive, & why shouldn't they?

After all, different is beautiful.

24/02/2021

Spot the difference!
Gandalf (left) gets stuck into a nice thin strip of balsa wood.
Evie (right) gets stuck into a nice thin strip of balsa wood 😉
Birds living with differences can enjoy a life filled with enrichment: chewing, foraging, or playing with toys, and socialisation. Evie is busy every minute and accepts changes readily, because she has known change isnt frightening, from day 1 living with us 💕

13/02/2021

I hear frequently that mirrors present a psychological hazard to our companion birds. That the "bird in the mirror" isnt interacting with them properly, and therefore companion birds will attack the mirror. Or, that they form an "unhealthy attachment" to mirrors.

I have 8 budgies, and use plenty of toys with mirrors without issue. Each bird has the option of 7 other birds with whom to interact! Do my budgies realise that the bird in the mirror is them? I dont believe so. However, i do believe that they know that the other budgie is "different" to their other companions.

Mirrors are not bad for birds.

Social isolation and separation from their own species, is bad for birds.

As with any toy, it is good to monitor your birds interactions 💕

Video description: Willow, a rescue with scoliosis, chirps to and bounces to, a swinging mirror toy.

05/02/2021

As we have had Eevee for a while, we are becoming more familiar with her behaviour.
This is a blind budgie interpreting her surroundings: beak open as she leans ahead to see what is in front of her, moving her beak from side to side. She makes adorable little *hops* which we believe is to check if anything is directly above her.
Blind birds benefit from environmental enrichment, just as sighted birds do!
(The loud talking is my partner talking to Willow, another of our budgies... :) )

18/01/2021

This week we welcomed baby Eevee into our home.
Eevee is, as our vet termed, "functionally blind". She seems able to see light/dark, and may be able to see colour.
This doesnt mean she cant have quality of life: she loves to play! She spins around on her lower perch, and she loves nibbling EVERYTHING.
Updates on her progress, and adaptations on enrichment activities for her, are to come 💕

19/12/2020

Love this perspective.
Nothing worth having comes easy - positive relationships with companion animals require maintenance! ("Deposits")

There are lots of benefits to using positive reinforcement (R+) training with our companion animals....but today we want to talk about how utilising R+ training can help you even when you haven't trained for a particular situation!

You may have heard us talk about 'relationship bank accounts' - essentially your relationship with your animal is like a bank account and every interaction you have with them makes either a deposit or withdrawal from that account. We should always aim to have our relationship accounts in the black....we want to be making many more deposits then withdrawals. A great way to do this is R+ training.

How does this help in situations we may not have trained for?

I'll demonstrate with an example....on Wednesday I had to take Aztec my 9month old Blue and Gold Macaw to the vet to have one of his wings examined. Unfortunately this isn't something we have trained for yet additionally he is quite sensitive about this wing being touched/manipulated and although not afraid of strangers he prefers not to be handled by people he doesn't know.
Instead of towelling him or having a nurse restrain him, I opted to restrain him (*I have experience restraining birds for examination, if you do not then it is better to allow an experienced nurse or vet to do so) while the vet examined his wing. Although Aztec found this experience stressful there was no negative impacts on our relationship...as soon as he was released from the restraint he recovered quickly and his behaviour with me in the wake of the visit has been normal.

Often we get reports from parrot parents that their bird has suddenly started avoiding them, refusing to do well known previous behaviours like step up or may even have started biting! In many cases these instances can be linked back to (often inadvertent) negative experiences with their owners, such as the example above. This usually means our relationship account just didn't have the 'credit' to cope with the negative experience.

So how do we keep that relationship account topped up and in the black? We ensure we are always putting in MUCH more than we are taking out!

⚬ We proactively set up our birds environment to prevent unwanted behaviour, so we don't need to use aversives.
⚬ We train even 'simple' or well known behaviours with R+!
⚬ We reinforce desirable behaviour when we see it.
⚬ We train tricks and fun novel behaviours.
⚬ We provide enrichment and foraging activities.
⚬ We make ourselves our birds access to all things fantastic!

If we do this we inoculate our relationship against potential negative emotional experiences! The power of positive reinforcement 🆒

18/12/2020

💕 Teeny tiny boy loves the big chonky boy 💕

07/11/2020

Providing opportunities to bathe is important for your birds feather condition, and for their own wellbeing!
Our budgies love having a dish of water AND being sprayed with a clean spray bottle

01/11/2020

What is your birds favourite snack?

Our budgies are provided with a maintenence pellet as their primary food source (always available). Millet and seeds are generally restricted to foraging toys and hand training.
I have discussed diet with two avian vets and been advised that a primarily pelleted diet js not good for budgies and cockatiels (due to the likelihood of developing kidney disease) - i therefore aim to ensure that all of my budgies have access to a small amount of seed daily.
They also are provided with a veggie chop daily and seeding grasses when available!
Budgies can be avoidant of new foods; persisting with introducing new foods pays off by enriching your birds through variety, foraging, and providing many health benefits!

[Image description (left to right)
Image 1: three packets of bird food are displayed, including pellets, seed and millet sprays
Image 2: a white budgie nibbles on fresh red grass sprays
Image 3: a blue budgie clings to the side of a cage while eating green grass seeds
Image 4: a blue budgie stands on the rim of a steel food dish. The budgie's face feathers are stained orange and they have small pieces of vegetables stuck to their beak]

01/11/2020

Do you make sure your budgies get regular exposure to sunlight?
Just like us, most birds need UV exposure to maintain optimum health. Morning or late afternoon sun is often preferable to make sure your birds dont get too hot: as a general rule, if it would be uncomfortable for me, it is probably uncomfortable for my birds! Ensure your birds have areas to hide away if they need to, and always monitor your birds when they are outdoors to make sure they are safe

01/11/2020

It took about 2 hours, but our budgies decided they were ready to approach their foraging toys!
Sometimes new things can be scary, but my budgies tend to overcome their fears quickly when they realise millet is involved 💕

[Image description: 4 budgerigars surround a box stuffed with paper strips, paper straws and paper cupcake liners, pecking for millet spray]

01/11/2020

This page aims to raise awareness of the social, environmental, cognitive and health needs of small companion birds.
We aim to promote rescue and avian welfare generally, and ask people to consider how they can improve the lives of their companion animals.