Introducing... the budgie with no name!

[paulc]

Following the help received in another thread about new budgie not feeding, I've managed a couple of acceptable photos to introduce 'him'.

The poor little thing doesn't have a proper name yet because I'd like to go for something "human" but I don't know the sex. The person I bought him from said male but I'm not so sure given the research I've done online.

Unfortunately, with the curtains closed for obvious reasons, they're not great quality but if anybody is able to make a confident decision it would be great! I'd also be interested to hear what age anyone might think 'he' is - I reckon I've been mis-sold, although thankfully not with a dud. In the absence of anything more concrete, please say hello to "Bramble"!

[Hezz]

Bramble is a beautiful bird, Paul. I am thinking "girl" but I am just never right, soooo........
I don't see any iris rings in your photos....can you tell us if there are any?

[budgiefriend]

Bramble is a beautiful bird! You two will have fun together.

[stace]

I also say girl, and not that young. Young budgies still have "bar" stripes on the top of their head. Looks lovely nonetheless.

[BudgiesBuddy]

Beautiful budgie

[salma]

definitely a girl, I'd say she's quite young, around 4-6 months, but I'm no expert.....regardless of her age though, she's gorgeous, reminds me of one I used to have

[brian1]

A nice girl Paul, at least 10 months to a year old.......

[paulc]

Some interesting responses, thank you.

I've never even looked for irises before, but on close inspection in good light there is a very narrow ring which is slightly lighter. Does that help?

She (it looks like I'll have to get used to saying that now!) is going through a moult at the moment although I wouldn't know whether it's beginning or end. There are some little tufts of down appearing in the cage, some tiny pin feathers in the face and a whopping one in the tail quite full of blood. From what I've read that suggests maybe 4 months old, doesn't it?

I'm pretty sure she's not 10 months plus, partly because I've only had her for a week and today she happily came out on my finger and spent half an hour sat on the laptop screen while I worked. Hopefully it's my poor photography making her look that old!

[brian1]

Dec 31, 2011 17:16:07 GMT paulc said:

Some interesting responses, thank you.

I've never even looked for irises before, but on close inspection in good light there is a very narrow ring which is slightly lighter. Does that help?

She (it looks like I'll have to get used to saying that now!) is going through a moult at the moment although I wouldn't know whether it's beginning or end. There are some little tufts of down appearing in the cage, some tiny pin feathers in the face and a whopping one in the tail quite full of blood. From what I've read that suggests maybe 4 months old, doesn't it?

I'm pretty sure she's not 10 months plus, partly because I've only had her for a week and today she happily came out on my finger and spent half an hour sat on the laptop screen while I worked. Hopefully it's my poor photography making her look that old!

all the bars have gone paul on her head, and and white round the iris, I still think older.........she is still a beauty

[paulc]

As a complete novice it's hard to say, but I do believe there are still remnants of bars showing on the head. Admittedly vague and so not showing in the photos, but potentially the difference between 4 months and 10?

Perhaps I'm clutching at straws, but the quick finger taming feels promising and although the 'supplier' may have been stretching the truth I'm doubtful they were pulling a complete fast one.

As always I'm just looking to learn so all opinions welcome, and I will try to get some decent closeup photos in case it helps. I tried leaving a small parting in the curtains today but little 'un managed to find it with maximum impact so quality daylight pics may take some time!

[Hezz]

I think they start to get their iris rings around 8 months, Paul. Some one who breeds, correct me if I am wrong as I am only going on what I have been able to find from other people's info. She has definitely been through a good moult already and lost those baby bars. Some birds will replace these with feathers which still have a "shadow" of barring.

She seems to have settled in very easily with you and great that you are having an easy time taming her. Keep up the good work!

[samwiseg]

What a lovely bird! I think she is a hen too as the shape of her head seems like a females head. And I actually think the name Bramble suits her!

[Ryan.W]

LOVE THE NAME bramble . Im afraid i'll have to steal if i get another budgie ;D. I think it's a hen/female and she looks about 4 months because i can still the remains of baby bars. (or maybe im seeing things?).

[paulc]

Hi all,

After a period of Bramble (aka Dave, aka Horace!) refusing to leave the cage, he/she has 'chirped up' and finally started being a little bit sociable again. I also had the simple/genius idea of putting up net curtains so I could let the daylight in without any nasty collisions, and have managed to take a couple of better photos of birdie. The blue cere screams "boy" to me, but there is a white circle around the nostril and a crusty yellow bit, so I'm still not sure! Any second opinions (on age, too, if it's feasible) PLEASE...

[Deleted]

looks like a hen....to me....age i dont no...