Introducing a new budgie

[Hezz]

Jan 25, 2023 19:39:13 GMT tweetiepiesmom said:

Also make sure you have 2 dishes so they don't have to share and don't fight over the food.

You stole my thunder, TPM. 😉 And two of anything else that Em might be particularly fond of - a swing he sleeps on, for instance. You don’t need to cause friction by having Smokey making merry with Em’s favourite things.

Also, if the bowls that come with the cage can only be positioned down low, definitely get some others that you can position as high as the highest perch. Budgies really don’t like being low-down especially if a new environment that they are still getting used to.

[SmokEm]

Thanks. They have 3 dishes, one each for seed and one for chopped veggies. They also have two water bottles and I bought an extra swing, the same as Em's so yes, they have two of those.

I'll have a look at those bowls Lozhinge. The smaller the better, Smokey likes to sit IN his food bowl while he's eating, he also likes to kick the seed all over the floor, my floor and theirs.

When they both sit still long enough I'll try to get some pics  

[SmokEm]

I hope this works.

Well, it did but a bit small.  If you click on it it gets bigger.

Can someone have a look at Smokey's cere please.  Is he definitely a boy?  Thanks

[tweetiepiesmom]

Great pic! They look like they are sizing each other up, trying to decide if they are going to be fast friends. Good news that they didn't start bickering right away.

[Marianne Marlow]

Is Smokey the grey one and if so is the cere purple or tan? (my laptop does not show colours well)

[Hezz]

I’d say yes to boy, but now cannot get an expanded view of the photo. This has been happening quite a bit. I’d like to have another look at him close up.

Edit: I have managed to enlarge the photo but with it being slightly out of focus I’d like an answer to Marianne Marlow’s question as well. My initial feeling was boy but now I’m fence-sitting.

[SmokEm]

Thanks Marianne and Hezz. Yes, Smokey is the grey and I would say the cere is taking on a purplish tinge. I tried to take another picture this morning but he's not cooperating. I'll try again later.

[Hezz]

If it looks purple to you in reality, going on what I initially thought, I’ll hop off onto the male side of the fence.

[SmokEm]

Hi, here's a new pic of my boys. I'm sure now that Smokey is a boy.

They look like they're beginning to be friends but this is a rare moment. Smokey keeps approaching Em but Em moves away. As I said before though, there is no aggression.

I know this isn't an exact science lol, but do you think they will bond, preen each other and snuggle up eventually? Em still seems very much my bird, talking loads and wanting cuddles from me.
Smokey will take millet from my hand, lets me snuggle into his neck with my nose (I love that budgie smell!) but he won't step up yet.

I'm realising it's more difficult taming a second budgie.

[Hezz]

There are three possible answers to that question: yes, no and maybe. Any of them may be correct. I’ve had best mates that do and best mates that never did.

[SmokEm]

Thanks Hezz for answering an impossible question They seem to be gradually getting closer. They had a 'moment' this morning where they touched beaks after sneaking closer to each other but Em immediately flew away. I think he was embarrassed that I was looking.

[Hezz]

He is still learning, or remembering, how to interact with another bird. He’s doing well.

[SmokEm]

You know, I never thought of it that way.  It makes so much sense

[SmokEm]

Morning or Evening, depending on where you are

A quick update on my boys. The are now head bobbing to each other, kissing and generally spending more time together. They are also playing roundabouts, where Smokey pursues Em round the cage and Em keeps avoiding him, but I'm sure they are friends. I'm hoping they're snugging up on these chilly nights but obviously they are covered so I can't see. I don't uncover them in the morning until I hear them up and about. Em is still talking, it would be nice if that lasts but if it doesn't then he's reverted to Budgie which is also fine by me. As long as they're happy, then so am I.