Poor Flier - Berek

[Loz]

Well, I think I found out why Berek spent all of yesterday in the cage after his big release day the day before.
I had no concerns on Saturday, my only thought was I hope Berek finds his way into a cage at some point as he must have been getting hungry. Yesterday (Sunday) he spent all day in the cage. I wasn't too worried, I just thought he might be tired and maybe a little anxious about being away from the food supply.
Today (Monday), he left the cage just now and ended up on the floor. I was initially pleased and started to film him but quickly noticed he was struggling to gain altitude - he wasn't able to get more than a couple of feet off the ground. I had a couple of tentative attempts at scooping him up- he wasn't happy with that and to his credit, Loric swooped in to defend his friend. Extraordinary.
Eventually, Berek hopped onto my shoulder when I went on all fours, and I stood up, which allowed him to hop onto the cage-top gym. Once there, I was able to introduce him to the millet & dowel trick, which he made a very good showing of (so did Gurgeh although he wasn't invited). Berek was able then to fly horizontally to the sky snake where he sits now with a few friends.
Looking at him, Berek seems a little short of flight feathers. Not disastrously so but perhaps this is a contributory factor.










There's never a dull moment, is there?

[Marianne Marlow]

I laughed out loud at the the thought of you on all fours enticing Berek on to your shoulder

Yes, he does seem to be missing a few flight feathers. Try and encourage him to take small low flights while the new feathers grow in, so he does not get to used to not flying.

[Loz]

Update: Berek is more mobile than previously. He's able to manage some short flights, usually first thing, but the effort of trying to keep aloft is obvious. He's adapted to travelling around the lounge now and has even made it into the kitchen one time. A side effect of his increased activity is that his friend Loric is spending more time with him.

I just saw Berek & Loric perching side by side and behind them on a nearby perch, Mr Hibs & Perry Rhodan. Looks like Perry is being tolerated now that Hibsy & Loric are less of an item

[Marianne Marlow]

Such a soap opera having budgies

Glad Berek is getting around better and Perry is beong "tolerated" more

[Loz]

Berek is now able to do straight, level flights the length of the lounge and he can also do most ascending hops in one hit. Only the highest perching points (above the curtains, on top of the kitchen cupboards) require thought and staged attempts.
He used my head to ascend to the top of the cupboards in the kitchen - his first visit, I think, since Release Day. he also used my head as a taxi leaving the kitchen on his way back to the lounge.
Changes of direction are still tricky and sustained flight is still beyond him but he has come a long way! I've even put away the ladder he needed to get from the floor to the Daytime cage.

[Marianne Marlow]

He's clever using your head as a taxi

[Loz]

Jul 13, 2023 10:21:01 GMT Marianne Marlow said:

He's clever using your head as a taxi

His "One Word Description" is Thinker

[Marianne Marlow]

How is Berek's flying?

[Loz]

Marianne Marlow Berek is flying well now. Thanks for asking 😊
He can sustain it longer and even change direction mid-flight. He's able to join in with his flockmates.
He does still over-extend himself on occasion though so I'd say he's at 80-85% now.

[Marianne Marlow]

That is great news. It must be awful for them when they can't fly well.

I do feel for Peter and George not being able to fly. But at least they have visitors.

[Loz]

I know I was projecting my feelings onto Berek but even so, it was obvious he was distressed at not being able to fly.
His enthusiasm for climbing and running around made it obvious tgat he missed flying.

Poor Peter & George. As you imply though, he has friendly and supportive budgies around them.

[ariella]

So glad that Berek is able to fly better now. I’ll be sad when any of mine get to an age or state of health where they may not be able to fly. I think it’s so nice you have plenty of company for Peter and George though. They definitely never look lonely Marianne Marlow.