His mate passed away... | Budgerigars Forum

keinbean123
Brand New Budgie

Posts: 4

His mate passed away... Mar 22, 2020 0:39:13 GMT via mobile

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Post by keinbean123 on Mar 22, 2020 0:39:13 GMT

Hello, my baby girl, Sunshine passed away today leaving her mate, Joey. My question is this:. I really don't want to get another bird, but will he need another? Is there a way to bond better to me? He chittering away like normal in his cage at the moment. Will he grieve? What should I do to make sure he's ok? Joey is 8. They had had each other all their lives, and didn't much have much to do with me. I was just the feeder and cleaner, lol. Wouldn't let me touch them. Joey does interact with me by coming to side of cage when I talk to him. Then he chats with me. But that's about it. Any suggestions?

Hezz
Staff Member

Posts: 34,076

His mate passed away... Mar 22, 2020 1:02:59 GMT jellybean likes this

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Post by Hezz on Mar 22, 2020 1:02:59 GMT

For now just interact as much as he will allow and let him make the decision. He may grieve, for a day, for a few days, maybe even maybe a week or more. If he is chattering away now, then I think his grieving time may be short. All you can do at this stage is give him as much attention as he wants/needs and take your cues from him. You may find that he becomes much more interested in the humans in the house, but if he seems to isolate himself and appears lonely and withdrawn then definitely, please think about another little bud to keep him company.

You don't have to make any decision immediately. Give him time and see how he is getting on.

Last Edit: Mar 23, 2020 0:43:53 GMT by Hezz

We are not Vets, Avian or otherwise. If you have any serious doubts about your budgies' health an appointment with an Avian vet should always be your first point of call.

RIP Bluey 4/12/05 - 31/03/12 RIP Fluoro 22/09/12 - 28/12/12
RIP Smudge 1/03/10 - 8/07/15 RIP Sparky 24/04/11 - 03/10/17
MIA Misty 22/09/12 - 20/10/21 RIP Mango 03/12/13 - 20/05/23

keinbean123
Brand New Budgie

Posts: 4

His mate passed away... Mar 22, 2020 1:17:30 GMT via mobile

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Post by keinbean123 on Mar 22, 2020 1:17:30 GMT

Thanks, I will do just that. If he needs another buddy, I will certainly go get him one. He's definately my more social bird so I was hoping he would just bond with me more. But if not I will get another buddy for him. But I also wonder if age difference would be a thing? Introducing a younger bird, to him being already 8?

Hezz
Staff Member

Posts: 34,076

His mate passed away... Mar 23, 2020 0:46:55 GMT

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Post by Hezz on Mar 23, 2020 0:46:55 GMT

It is generally not an issue, and if anything can often help give the older bird a new lease of life. Sometimes a young one can be a bit of a pest and if that happened you may want to keep the older fellow his own cage to retreat to for a bit of peace and quiet.

We are not Vets, Avian or otherwise. If you have any serious doubts about your budgies' health an appointment with an Avian vet should always be your first point of call.

RIP Bluey 4/12/05 - 31/03/12 RIP Fluoro 22/09/12 - 28/12/12
RIP Smudge 1/03/10 - 8/07/15 RIP Sparky 24/04/11 - 03/10/17
MIA Misty 22/09/12 - 20/10/21 RIP Mango 03/12/13 - 20/05/23

suesbird
Yellow Face Dynamo

Posts: 5,626

His mate passed away... Mar 23, 2020 9:10:52 GMT Hezz likes this

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Post by suesbird on Mar 23, 2020 9:10:52 GMT

I lost Jo last year and Pip was quiet for a few days but he is now on his own and has changed completely. He has become more sociable with us, he comes out and sits on my computer for hours. He makes so much more noise and generally very happy. I honestly never thought he would have changed so much. He is so much nicer and calmer. I am at home most of the time so he has interaction, he can also be very much a nuisance, he shouts so loudly when it is time to come out. As soon as he sees my lunch plate go away he goes mad and shouts very loudly until I let him out. See how he goes.