New to budgies

Cristina · #1 10-24-2016, 10:45 PM

Hi everyone,

The other day, a white parakeet

flew into the office where I work. The guys who work at my office wanted to put it back outside but I knew I had to take it home

He/she seemed scared but was pretty gentle. I picked it up, put it in a box with some water, and ran to the petstore to buy some bird seed on my lunch. I work in a bad area that is all commercial, so I don't know where it could have possibly come from. I don't think I'll have luck finding his owners, and my daughter had some bird supplies already so

I guess I have a new baby!
My daughter is a vet tech but doesn't know much about birds, so she referred me here! She was able to clip its wings and get him set up, and she printed me some instructions for taming, introducing fruits and veggies, as well as hazards and signs of health issues! She said he's young. I wanted to find out the sex, so I attached some pictures, hope they are good enough.
I was also hoping I could get some beginner tips. I really want him to be my little buddy, so I would like to know your recommendations for the best and fastest hand taming methods. I also am interested in the best way to introduce healthy veggies and anything else pertinent. I have set my thermostat to 75 for it per my daughter's recommendations. The cage is in my living room away from the a/c vent.
Also, should I get another one? Would it be relatively easy to introduce another one? I don't want it to be lonely, but I also want it to bond with me. I also don't want any babies, so I'm hoping I can get another of the same sex??
I have a lot to learn

YuukiJaeha · #2 10-25-2016, 05:38 AM

I'm not experienced in budgies as I am too fairly new to owning one (or two hehe.. I got my two birdies JULY this year) but it seems like your budgie may be a beautiful male, BUT I think it may be more of a female (either it's just my lack of knowledge, lighting or my device) as a part of his/her cere is getting quite lighter and has a very faint hint of white, indicating that it may be a female.
A male generally has a dark blue, purple/pink and no hints of white.
A female generally has white, tan/brown and light blue.
I'd wait for the others to say their opinion as they are better at identifying genders haha.
If you would like to learn a few yourself;
https://talkbudgies.com/determining-g...g-budgies.html
https://talkbudgies.com/determining-g...ie-sexing.html

Thats a gorgeous budgie! Must've been quite a lovely surprise to see it during work! Congratulations on your new birdie!
There are some stickies on the page already posted that will answer your questions!

**aluz** · #3 10-25-2016, 06:31 AM

Welcome to the forums and the ever exciting world of budgie ownership!

You have certainly come to the right place as you will find all you need to know on budgie care here.
The information on the several articles and sticky threads at the top of each section of the forums will be extremely useful as you become more familiar with the species. Be sure to pay extra attention to the Diet and Nutrition as well as the Taming and Bonding sections of Talk Budgies.

I'm glad you have rescued and took in this lost budgie in need of help.
Even though you found it on a commercial area, it would still be good to try to locate the owners who may be worried and looking for their little friend.
You can do so by placing some flyers around the neighbourhood you have found him, including nearby pet stores/vets, you can also advertise online.
Contacting the local animal shelter would also be a good option.

From the photos you have posted it seems you have a budgie boy there.
In order to confirm gender, it would be best to take a couple of photos in natural lighting (no flash from camera).
What colour are his eyes? They look black to me and if that is the case, then you have a white based (blue series) dark-eyed clear budgie.

Given the fact you are very new to budgies and in order to avoid a potential overwhelming situation, it's best for you to take your time in getting more acquainted with the species and if you end up keeping this budgie, to work on forming a bond with him. This is easier to do so with a solo budgie.
The information on this link may be of use: https://talkbudgies.com/articles-gene...en-flocks.html

For now, there is no rush for you to get a second one and if later on you decide to get a friend for your budgie, you will have to get an additional cage for quarantine. https://talkbudgies.com/new-budgie-ar...necessary.html

https://talkbudgies.com/new-budgie-ar...o-budgies.html

Best of luck with everything!

**FaeryBee** · #4 10-25-2016, 10:22 AM

Hi Cristina and to Talk Budgies.

First, thank you for rescuing the little budgie.
I agree with aluz -- from the pictures posted it appears he is a beautiful little boy.

If you are unable to locate the owners, I would suggest you spend time getting to know this little fellow and finding out all about his personality rather than rushing into getting him a friend. Many budgies are quite happy living as solo birds.

Please take the time to read through all of the How To Guides, the FAQs and the stickies located at the top of each section of the forum.

You'll find most of your basic questions about budgies and caring for them will have been answered after you've read through all of them.

Site Guidelines
How-To Guides
FAQs Frequently Asked Questions
Budgie Articles
https://talkbudgies.com/general-budgi...-stickies.html
https://talkbudgies.com/general-budgi...ng-forums.html
https://talkbudgies.com/general-budgi...e-expense.html
Avian First Aid
Why Quarantine?

https://talkbudgies.com/articles-gene...watch-out.html

https://talkbudgies.com/budgie-breedi...s-new-old.html

https://talkbudgies.com/housing-budgi...age-sizes.html
https://talkbudgies.com/housing-budgi...reat-cage.html
https://talkbudgies.com/general-budgi...directory.html

When you upload pictures as thumbnail attachments directly from your computer, tablet or phone, the forum automatically defaults to landscape.

To upload full-sized pictures with the proper orientation, please use a photo-sharing service such as PhotoBucket and follow the steps in these instructions:
https://talkbudgies.com/how-guides/17...otobucket.html

For gender and/or mutation help - Lighting and Angle DOES matter

By the way, all photos entered in any of our forum contests must be a full-size photo and not a thumbnail attachment so it's good to know how to upload them!

If you have any questions after reading through everything, please be sure to ask!

Glad you decided to join us and looking forward to seeing you around the forums.

Cristina · #5 10-25-2016, 02:01 PM

Hi everyone!
Thank you for your replies. I think I will name my boy "Moby"

I have him in my living room because that is where I am most of the time when I'm home. His cage is in the center of a 10 ft wall between two windows. I'm wondering if I should keep the back drapes a little open. So he can see some natural light from outside. The sun would not hit his cage if I left it because he is far from the window and there is a tree outside that shades that area. Would you recommend this?
Also, when I am gone during the day, should I play music for him? TV? Bird sounds?

Thanks from Moby and I

**aluz** · #6 10-25-2016, 02:14 PM

Yes, you can keep the curtains open for Moby while he is on the cage.
Later on, when he has out of cage time and as he adjusts to the room, you will have to close the curtains in order to prevent a potential crash landing into the window.

You can certainly play some music or have the TV on for Moby, the background sound will likely encourage him to sing. It's best to stay away from playing budgie sound as that can agitate Moby into trying to find out where the "other budgie" is.

**FaeryBee** · #7 10-25-2016, 05:55 PM

Moby is a cute name.

Having the curtains open so he can see outdoors is something that he will definitely enjoy. I rotate my different birds' cages in front of the windows so they all have turns to see out.

Playing music or the TV for Moby when you aren't with him is a good practice as budgies perceive total silence to signal danger.

**StarlingWings** · #8 10-25-2016, 11:34 PM

Hi Cristina and

to the forums!

I'm glad that Moby was fortunate enough to be rescued by you and your daughter

He certainly is a handsome little fellow!

You've been given great advice already so I can't possibly add anything other than to be sure to read through all the links provided, as they will be of great help to you as you learn lots more about these little birds!

If you have any questions afterwards, please do ask as we'd love to help

Cheers and hope to see you around!

Rosario · #9 10-28-2016, 10:06 AM

Gorgeous little budgie. I think you have a responsibility to at least try and find an owner, although you certainly rescued him from certain death if he was left in the wild.