Kona and Pepper

[Azalea]

Kona - "He" (based on behavior and changes in appearance) used to be timid, but now he is more adventurous and confident. Topaz, our pied yellow Budgie, will often do things that Kona does. Basil, our green Budgie, follows Topaz. Now Basil follows Kona sometimes...maybe because Topaz would!

Pepper - We chose the name because we thought "his" (also based on behavior; no DNA test done) grey markings would darken. There is white pepper, though. He has become a bit humble and mild-mannered, like Griffin (our blue Budgie).

[Loz]

Those are beautiful birbs

I came very close indeed to getting a cockatiel, when the flock was two budgies and a chocobo. Squeak and dear Patch came home with me instead.

I very much regret not getting a cockatiel but I suspect having one would have limited the number of budgies I could have.

[Azalea]

Nov 18, 2023 16:20:20 GMT loz said:

Those are beautiful birbs

I came very close indeed to getting a cockatiel, when the flock was two budgies and a chocobo. Squeak and dear Patch came home with me instead.

I very much regret not getting a cockatiel but I suspect having one would have limited the number of budgies I could have.

They are wonderful birds, but I know you are happy with how your flock turned out! If I could get another bird, I would choose another Cockatiel or maybe another GC Conure (our previous two died). But we already have eight birds and three dogs, so I don't wish for that to happen.

Some people complain about Cockatiels being slow to trust/bond and learn, but I think it's usually a problem of the owner not going at the bird's pace. (A possible effect of people seeing so many adorable bird antics on YouTube/Instagram/TikTok.) Earning all of our birds' trust has been very rewarding!

[Marianne Marlow]

What a pretty pair of birds

I thought you could tell their sex by the pattern on the underside of the tail? or did I recall that incorrectly?

[Azalea]

Nov 18, 2023 22:42:05 GMT Marianne Marlow said:

What a pretty pair of birds

I thought you could tell their sex by the pattern on the underside of the tail? or did I recall that incorrectly?

This is true about many color varieties - those females have stripes/"dirty"-looking patterns on their tails. And/or the cheek color is more faded, compared to a male. Females are also supposed to be quieter than males, and don't make "heart wings" or tap their beaks on items. 

However, people occasionally report a female bird who imitated a male's noises and behaviors. Or an actual male bird whose coloring was more subtle, like a female's. A DNA test is still the best way to be sure, unless the bird lays an egg.

[skysmum]

Beautiful boys 😘

I too have been very close to buying a cockatiel before.