new budgie's human here, saying hello!

[opalbirdie]

Hi all.  I'm Nicole, and we've welcomed a new budgie friend into our home just under a month ago.  We've named her Opal, and while we're not fully certain of her age I estimate her to be somewhere between 6 and 9 months old.  I'm no expert, but her little pale-blue-with-white-and-tan cere seems to suggest young female.

She was a solo pet at someone's home nearby, and while I'm sure the prior owner was a well-intentioned enough person, I don't believe they really had the knowhow or the interest in providing an appropriate environment for a bird to thrive, particularly a bird without other birds around.  So we're not entirely sure how "tame" this little lady is or how much out-of-cage time she's ever had - we'd been told she was a "very quiet" bird but as it turns out that's not the case in the least, and I've come to discover she is quite fond of some of the same music I enjoy, which works out well for us both!  She is a marvelous singer throughout the day.  

She doesn't seem to know what to do with the various toys and perches in her new (and much larger) cage just yet, but I've been working with her a little each day to try and help her explore her home and get comfortable with the space she has and the fun stuff inside it.  But it does all seem indicative of a bird that's not had much enrichment or opportunity for fun, so we're slowly and gently working to help her find her joyful birdie self.

I'm sure I'll have endless questions for this board, so thanks to all for being here and sharing your wisdom!  I look forward to learning from this group

[Deleted]

Welcome to the forum opalbirdie! Opal sounds like a lovely budgie. We'd love to hear more about her and we love pictures! Please post some.

[opalbirdie]

hi and thanks! here's a couple of pics.  

*yes, that's a dowel perch - she's got a nice variety of perches in there, including this one that came with the cage and a few natural branches, a flat log, and some tightly-wound rope too.  I understand that lack of variation in perches can be problematic- don't want anyone to worry!

[willowsmum]

Welcome to the forum Opal and opalbirdie. Opal is beautiful, sounds like she's found a loving home with you.

[tweetiepiesmom]

Welcome! Opal is quite the little beauty. She's luchy to have found a wonderful home with you. Sometimes budgies don't know how to play with their toys. If she is tame enough that she doesn't mind your hand, use a finger to gently show her how to play with her toys.

[opalbirdie]

Feb 20, 2021 15:38:42 GMT tweetiepiesmom said:

Welcome! Opal is quite the little beauty. She's luchy to have found a wonderful home with you. Sometimes budgies don't know how to play with their toys. If she is tame enough that she doesn't mind your hand, use a finger to gently show her how to play with her toys.

That's exactly what I've been doing!  I'm glad to know I'm not nuts for it  

She often waits a few hours or even a day (or longer!) after I show her what something's all about, but she does eventually "get it."  While I've noticed she gets a little "nippy" if my fingers get too close to her physical body (definitely a different movement and body language than mouthing/exploring - she got me twice while holding millet and it was firm enough to send the message I believe she intended - I am perfectly happy to go slowly and have never tried to touch her), she has never seemed to mind my intrusions into the cage itself to change food and water or reposition a perch or something and so I take advantage of those moments to "show" her all the cool stuff she has, and to acclimate her to my hands and voice and body.  Just this morning she discovered the little pet fountain at the cage floor that's been there for two weeks, so that's exciting!

Thanks for the warm welcome

[ladybird]

"Opal' what a lucky little lady you are! She is just beautiful ❤️

[lemonora]

So happy for the both of you 🙂 She is a beauty ❤️

[blue48]

Hi Nicole Young Opal is gorgeous.

I have one budgie that loves to play and another that usually just looks on in bemusement but lately has started to give one of the bells a 'ding'. I think play is something they need to learn and the second budgie is one that moved in when he was 1 year old and seems not to have had much opportunity. It's good to see him coming out of his shell (suddenly realised where that saying comes from lol).

[opalbirdie]

Feb 21, 2021 12:49:25 GMT blue48 said:

Hi Nicole Young Opal is gorgeous.

I have one budgie that loves to play and another that usually just looks on in bemusement but lately has started to give one of the bells a 'ding'. I think play is something they need to learn and the second budgie is one that moved in when he was 1 year old and seems not to have had much opportunity. It's good to see him coming out of his shell (suddenly realised where that saying comes from lol).

Given my assumption that Opal is likely just under a year old, that's encouraging!  I don't know that she had many toys or opportunities for play previously so you're right, it's probably something she needs to learn although as a single bird that may be more challenging. She's slowly checking out all the things in the cage, so.. fingers crossed!

[birdguhl]

Welcome, Nicole and Opal - you're going to have a great time together - she sounds like she is doing brilliantly. She does look like a young lady - very pretty!