Female budgie mourning loss of mate - help please!

[moz69]

Hi, 

Hoping someone has some advice for me.... About two and a half years ago I 'inherited' two budgies, they didn't have names (as far as I was aware) so I called them Nigel and Vajazzle. Sadly Nigel died last month and Vajazzle, whilst ok, seems a bit 'down-in-the-beak'. One thing I've noticed is that she used to fight him for the millet, which was like catnip to the birds, and now she just leaves it uneaten, until I remove it. Maybe it was like a competition to her, anything he had, she wanted.. but it's sad to see. She does however eat her birdseed as per normal. I've put a mirror in the cage and also a fake bird in the hope it would stimulate her, but she's showing no interested. If anyone has any suggestions these will be gratefully received. I'd like to do my best for her, but I really don't wish to get another bird. I would be willing to give her to a local aviary, but don't know how to go about this. 

Thanks!

Moz

[Marianne Marlow]

Hi Moz

Welcome.

I am very sorry to hear of the loss of Vajazzle's mate Nigel.
Birds do indeed mourn.

Could you post a photo of her if possible and give an indication of your location so that we may help.

Marianne

[Hezz]

Ah, Moz, sorry about Nigel's passing and Vajazzie's plight. As Marianne has said they certainly can mourn. How long has it been since Nigel died?

Do you ever play budgie sounds to Vajazzie? I am just wondering if she loves to hear other birds. If you haven't played them to her, could you do so and let us know how she reacts? I am interested in how receptive to others she might be. It may be that she is lonely, in which case I would expect her to respond positively, but if she is still mourning, she may not be interested at all, unless she thinks she is hearing Nigel, and we don't really want that ....... that would be a bit cruel. She may simply need time to adjust to being on her own ...... is she tame at all? Are you able to spend time with her, so she isn't alone?