Ok, so after seeking guidance in other sections of the forum, I said that I would start an ongoing thread.
The story so far...
We picked up our little cutie on 27 October and posted an intro in the new arrivals section. Sold to us as a boy, we were told he was 8 weeks old and had come from an aviary. We called him Elwin.
Elwin took a few days to settle in. Much of the first two or three days was spent with him rooted to his perch making little noise. It did not help that we spotted a louse and had to treat him. He did not like hands, still doesn't.
After posting on the forum for advice, we were made aware that 'he' is actually a 'she'. Fine. Now she is Elwen. Not too confusing, except for poor Elwen herself (see the determining gender post) who has taken to the bottle!
Elwen now plays with all her toys and sings. She has a sophisticated pallet, munching her way through basil and spinach with vigour. Occasionally there are some breakthroughs with the hand hatred part. Picture 1 is me with Elwen after she escaped into the hall and clung to a mirror. On that occasion, she decided my hand was the preferred escape option and let me carry her back through the house. She will also eat millet from my hand (picture 2) but often (normally in the morning) we are back to square one with her making it clear that hands are not for her!
Anyway, will keep you all updated as I promised to start an ongoing thread. I love to hear about all your lovely budgies and to see their pictures.
Elwen is absolutely gorgeous and I look forward to following her story. I saw her ‘hitting the bottle’ in the other thread and can’t say I blame her (silly humans, can’t even tell a boy from a girl!). She may need a spell in a budgie detox centre if her drinking becomes a habit. I hope she’s not an angry drinker!
I would recommend replacing the plastic perches with natural wood perches of varying diameters.
Natural wood perches (not dowels) will be much better for sweet Elwen's little feet and help prevent pressure sores. Additionally, she can happily chew on them whenever she wants!
We were supposed to go out for branches on Sunday but the weather here has been so very wet that everything is horrible and all the branches sodden. We have not forgotten and she will get some real perches!
In the meantime for the perches, you can wrap them with some self adhesive bandage wrap (like this https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1pZF5k...4-5m-7-5cm.jpg) to soften the perch for her little feet. I have a larger vision cage that came with the same perches, and while I now have a lot of other types of perches as well, I still have those plastic ones and wrap them because I find them super convenient for hanging toys.
The (mis)adventures of Elwen (ongoing thread)
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