Mar 20, 2015 18:53:15 GMT
rae
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Posts: 369
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Post by rae on Apr 11, 2015 1:53:06 GMT
So I've read conflicting things about mirrors and buds. Basal has a toy feeder with a mirror that he sits at but doesn't really interact or actually play with it. I was thinking of getting another mirror toy to see if he takes to it. He has several toys but isn't interested in them, yet. He's making strides with me on bonding and interacting. I've read mirrors might be a bad idea because of possible obsession. It would be for variety though, not to replace our interaction. Do you guys use mirror toys? There has to be something he will like. I'm going to work through various toys until I find it.
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Post by Hezz on Apr 11, 2015 11:59:24 GMT
Mirrors are fine as long as you keep an eye out for obsession. And that doesn't seem as though it will be a problem for Basal. Give him a mirror for sure - most budgies love to have someone/thing to bob to, even when they do have other budgies to communicate with. If he starts to feed the "other" budgie ie, the one in the mirror constantly, or spend all his time in front of the mirror then by all means take it away for a week or two and give it back sporadically. I haven't ever found that mirrors have gotten in the way of bonding, but can see how it would happen. If picked up quickly enough, all should be good. I think it all depends on how vigilant the human is in the relationship.
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Post by reajen01 on Apr 11, 2015 14:20:22 GMT
It's funny you should post about this. Only last night Douglas discovered a mirror toy I put in for him earlier in the day. He spent a very long time chattering and head bobbing, to the point that he didn't want to step up or come out of the cage. So I took it out and I think I'll only put it in when I go out the house so he has something to keep him company
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Post by OP on Apr 11, 2015 14:38:03 GMT
It's worth looking into. My lot have three mirrors, well actually Edward has three and the others share of them . I have had no problem with feeding the other budgie. They just knock hell out of them when the other budgie doesn't respond.
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Mar 20, 2015 18:53:15 GMT
rae
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Posts: 369
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Post by rae on Apr 13, 2015 0:48:49 GMT
Thank you guys. I got several things for him to try over the course of probably a few months. He has a mirror with a bell first, but I picked up a swing, foraging box with wooden shapes, and a dangling toy with a bell and beads. There are a few more things I would like to get for him later, but this is probably a good start. We went to the store we got him from. Next time I think I'll try petco because they have more smaller bird toys.
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
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George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Apr 13, 2015 8:41:27 GMT
If I had a single budgie then I am not sure I would have mirrors. It's like the equivalent of giving the kids ipads to shut them up (that was just an example..!) Does he have bell balls? always fun for them to chuck these.. it makes you jump too My Sky is a little mirror obsessed.. but he does play with the others too. I couldn't take mirrors away from him now as it would feel cruel and pointless, he's 8 years old.
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Mar 20, 2015 18:53:15 GMT
rae
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Posts: 369
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Post by rae on Apr 13, 2015 12:54:20 GMT
He has one bell ball right now, but hasn't touched it. It's been with him since we brought him home. I've rolled it and he stretches his neck to look but that's it. I've brought it out when he's been out of the cage and it's ignored then too. I definitely don't want the mirror to be like your example. I want it for a variety, but I do watch him closely so I can take it out if he looks like he's getting obsessed. If I need to remove it it was only a waste of a dollar or so. I remember someone saying their bird liked throwing washers around. I may get some when I do my shopping because I can use them for homemade perching and toy combos too.
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,811
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Apr 13, 2015 13:00:04 GMT
Ah well, give him time, I'm sure he'll start to play with stuff!
My birds tend to have more "issues" than most as they're all rehomed. So it can be hard to change their habits.
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Post by milliej on Apr 15, 2015 15:33:48 GMT
I've put mirrors in with my three to give the 'girls' some peace because Tyler is such a pestactive young male and at times the girls get fed up with him I can tell! So.....a mirror helps and sometimes the girls get a chance to admire themselves too. (not that I'm biased, he just happens to be the youngest and is a 'cocky' male )
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,811
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Apr 15, 2015 15:38:40 GMT
Awww... it's good that they get a rest from him, the boys do looove to admire themselves!
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Post by milliej on Apr 15, 2015 15:41:23 GMT
Yes Marianne, Sid was the same.....it reminds me of the Greek myth about Narcissus....he was a male too
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,811
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Apr 15, 2015 16:06:04 GMT
Well we do help them along calling them pretty boys all the time.
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May 8, 2024 3:10:59 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2015 16:07:20 GMT
Munchy did feed his during his first year. Now he still really likes them. He only has two toys with mirrors but we also have a sticky perch which I put on the bathroom mirror when he comes in with me. He does enjoy a good bop to a mirror but no longer regurgitates on them and I make sure not to give them to him too frequently because we have lots of shiny things in the house anyway. They still get disgusting from him breathing on them, though.
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Mar 20, 2015 18:53:15 GMT
rae
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Posts: 369
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Post by rae on Apr 15, 2015 17:03:09 GMT
I noticed he was more active and more interested in the mirror toy. I couldn't watch him closely so I took it out. I can watch him today so I will put it in.
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Post by reajen01 on Apr 15, 2015 17:18:54 GMT
Oh looking forward to an update on how he gets on Rae, he is making such good progress. If you were near to me in the UK I'd let you borrow Douglas, I'm sure he has got no 'fear' gene, it does have its downside as I worry he will get himself into trouble at some point. He has just thrown his small pot of grass on the floor of the cage after attacking it for ten minutes. I'm guessing he doesn't like blue and he was fine with the yellow pot of grass lol
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