Vegetables FAQ

blinkin budgie

Question:

Jessica, Because the bird is so new to his environment, changing his toys on a regular basis is no good.  The toys need tp be in the cage for a week or two befopre they will get used to them.  I have found that more than anything, budgies LOVE bells, swings, ladders, joint rings that they can climb through, and they might fall for the bells to the point that they feed it – I had one that did and we had to clean the beel daily.  It was his girlfriend. With fresh food, don’t just give him the food one day and then not try again.  Like the toys, it’ll take numerous attempts to get him to eat anything.  My three took to their new food treats excellently, but they had been with me for months before I tried anything new with them. Good luck. Megz

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I bought Feather Glo Bird Bath Spray which I’ve been using daily (it says > for daily use).  I was a little nervous about the ingredients and the bottle > doesn’t list what’s in it, only that the active ingredient is > "Alkyl-branched fatty acid esters in analogy to the plumage oil of birds" > (whatever that means).  I should probably get a water mister too and > alternate.  He doesn’t seem to drink the droplets of the Feather Glo so I > don’t know if he would for water misting.  He does seem to love his bath > though.  He actually sits still and turns for me so I can spray his whole > body.  It’s really cute. > I only mist once per day.  Is it okay to do more than that?  (If I switch to > water from the Feather Glo?)  My apartment is pretty warm so I’m not worried > about the temperature.  And he does seem to love it.  There are few things > I’ve found that interest him.  Actually I haven’t found anything that > interests him!  Different toys, playpen, fruits, vegetables, food treats, > being out (he just walks around and eventually sits there for a bit, then > goes back to his cage). > Thanks, > Jessica > jessica, > fyi, one thing to try out is a little misting or heck, a LOT misting. > not only do my budgies love the misting so they can preen and bathe > themselves, but they realllllly like the way that missing leaves water > droplet hanging on everything. they run all around the cage (even > going outside the cage) to sip up the water on the perches, toys, > bars, and everywhere else. they’re just very attracted to water that’s > been sprayed onto something. they also drink their regular water but i > agree, it’s hard to tell, especially when your bird is new and > hesitant to move around much. i think my budgies did their drinking > all in secret since i didn’t see them doing it for a lonnnnnnnnng > time. > wiebke > > It’s sooo hard to figure out if my Budgie is drinking.  I now have three > > different water sources for him.  A water bottle that doesn’t seem to be > > going down at all, a small flat dish that I’ve hooked next to his food, > and > > a deeper open dish that toward the bottom of the cage.  Since he never > > ventures to the bottom of the cage I doubt he’s using that one.  I think > > he’s using the one by the food since the water goes down, but I can’t > really > > tell what gets evaporated vs what he’s drinking.  Are there other signs > of > > dehydration to look for? > > -Jessica

Response:

jessica, fyi, one thing to try out is a little misting or heck, a LOT misting. not only do my budgies love the misting so they can preen and bathe themselves, but they realllllly like the way that missing leaves water droplet hanging on everything. they run all around the cage (even going outside the cage) to sip up the water on the perches, toys, bars, and everywhere else. they’re just very attracted to water that’s been sprayed onto something. they also drink their regular water but i agree, it’s hard to tell, especially when your bird is new and hesitant to move around much. i think my budgies did their drinking all in secret since i didn’t see them doing it for a lonnnnnnnnng time. wiebke – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > It’s sooo hard to figure out if my Budgie is drinking.  I now have three > different water sources for him.  A water bottle that doesn’t seem to be > going down at all, a small flat dish that I’ve hooked next to his food, and > a deeper open dish that toward the bottom of the cage.  Since he never > ventures to the bottom of the cage I doubt he’s using that one.  I think > he’s using the one by the food since the water goes down, but I can’t really > tell what gets evaporated vs what he’s drinking.  Are there other signs of > dehydration to look for? > -Jessica

Response:

jessica is quite right; if the bird has lasted for more than few days, she knows where and how to find the water. that was my attitude with mine. they didn’t seem to eat or drink or move for days after i got them but they lived and so obviously it was just a question of me not CATCHING them, sneaky devils. wiebke – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > This is actually something I have been concerned about.  I have a small > mirror in jewel’s cage…and when I mist her with water, some ends up on the > mirror.  she loves to lick up the drops of water from the mirror, but that > is the only times I’ve noticed any water intake (two water sources in the > cage rarely seem to go down any).  Once I had her use to eating out of my > hand, I started trying a water dish held up to her, hoping she’d get the > idea.  She has taken a few tentative sips from that when I hold it to her – > but usually she just turns her head away from it.  Any suggestions on > helping a budgie find her water supplies?

Response:

I bought Feather Glo Bird Bath Spray which I’ve been using daily (it says for daily use).  I was a little nervous about the ingredients and the bottle doesn’t list what’s in it, only that the active ingredient is "Alkyl-branched fatty acid esters in analogy to the plumage oil of birds" (whatever that means).  I should probably get a water mister too and alternate.  He doesn’t seem to drink the droplets of the Feather Glo so I don’t know if he would for water misting.  He does seem to love his bath though.  He actually sits still and turns for me so I can spray his whole body.  It’s really cute. I only mist once per day.  Is it okay to do more than that?  (If I switch to water from the Feather Glo?)  My apartment is pretty warm so I’m not worried about the temperature.  And he does seem to love it.  There are few things I’ve found that interest him.  Actually I haven’t found anything that interests him!  Different toys, playpen, fruits, vegetables, food treats, being out (he just walks around and eventually sits there for a bit, then goes back to his cage). Thanks, Jessica

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> jessica, > fyi, one thing to try out is a little misting or heck, a LOT misting. > not only do my budgies love the misting so they can preen and bathe > themselves, but they realllllly like the way that missing leaves water > droplet hanging on everything. they run all around the cage (even > going outside the cage) to sip up the water on the perches, toys, > bars, and everywhere else. they’re just very attracted to water that’s > been sprayed onto something. they also drink their regular water but i > agree, it’s hard to tell, especially when your bird is new and > hesitant to move around much. i think my budgies did their drinking > all in secret since i didn’t see them doing it for a lonnnnnnnnng > time. > wiebke

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> It’s sooo hard to figure out if my Budgie is drinking.  I now have three > different water sources for him.  A water bottle that doesn’t seem to be > going down at all, a small flat dish that I’ve hooked next to his food, and > a deeper open dish that toward the bottom of the cage.  Since he never > ventures to the bottom of the cage I doubt he’s using that one.  I think > he’s using the one by the food since the water goes down, but I can’t really > tell what gets evaporated vs what he’s drinking.  Are there other signs of > dehydration to look for? > -Jessica

Response:

This is actually something I have been concerned about.  I have a small mirror in jewel’s cage…and when I mist her with water, some ends up on the mirror.  she loves to lick up the drops of water from the mirror, but that is the only times I’ve noticed any water intake (two water sources in the cage rarely seem to go down any).  Once I had her use to eating out of my hand, I started trying a water dish held up to her, hoping she’d get the idea.  She has taken a few tentative sips from that when I hold it to her – but usually she just turns her head away from it.  Any suggestions on helping a budgie find her water supplies?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> It’s sooo hard to figure out if my Budgie is drinking.  I now have three > different water sources for him.  A water bottle that doesn’t seem to be > going down at all, a small flat dish that I’ve hooked next to his food, > and > a deeper open dish that toward the bottom of the cage.  Since he never > ventures to the bottom of the cage I doubt he’s using that one.  I think > he’s using the one by the food since the water goes down, but I can’t > really > tell what gets evaporated vs what he’s drinking.  Are there other signs of > dehydration to look for? > -Jessica > Jessica, > I’m not sure how long you have had your bird, but if they don’t drink water > they will die.  So if you have had the bird for several days he is drinking > water, you just aren’t catching him when he does.  They don’t drink a whole > lot. > Sharon

Response:

She is probably tired. Is she young? They like to take naps, even the older ones. Mine need a nap in the late afternoon.  I have seen wild ducks that blink when they get tired, and can’t sleep because there are people around their babies that they are keeping an eye on.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi all… > Ok, I’ve been trying to find something on this, and haven’t found any info > anywhere.  I’ve had my budgie home for about 2 weeks now…and have noticed > one thing that I find rather odd.  But perhaps it is normal?  She blinks A > LOT…not just a blink really…think being really tired and having trouble > keeping your eyes open…that’s kind of what it reminds me of.  I keep > thinking perhaps she’s just really bored…but she’s got 3 toys in her cage > (only will go near one though), and her cage is left open about 4-5 hours a > day during the week (all day sat and sun)….the only time the blinking > seems to stop is when I’m making loud noises and she’s intently watching to > see what’s going on.  Is this something normal for a budgie? > slightly different topic – I finally found music that she likes….heavy > metal! hahaha  She starts singing away and making noises I never hear her > make otherwise – whistling, "clicking" like I do to her, and generally what > seems to be attempts to mimic sounds she’s heard.  But she ONLY does this > when loud heavy music is being played!  Weird girl! lol

Response:

Another good way to introduce water is to attach a wet piece of kale (this is that stump of greenery restaurants give you on your plate) or the green carrot tops from fresh carrots to the cage. Most budgies can’t resist the taste of either of these greens. Mine love chewing dried carrot top stems. Ravl

Response:

I’ve been trying this with a variety of greens, and my budgie seems to be absolutely petrified of them so far – staying as far away as possible. Then again, she was terrified of her toys at first too, and in the last two days, has slowly begun to explore them a bit more.  So I will certainly keep trying the greens. For now, the only way I can be sure she’s getting water is to mist her and everything in her cage very well – and then she slurps it up off her perches/mirror, etc.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Another good way to introduce water is to attach a wet piece of kale > (this is that stump of greenery restaurants give you on your plate) or > the green carrot tops from fresh carrots to the cage. Most budgies can’t > resist the taste of either of these greens. Mine love chewing dried > carrot top stems. > Ravl

Response:

jessica, well, i agree with the other poster — just use water. maybe i’m just totally cynical, this feather glo thing sounds like another thing that’s sold in pet stores to make money but isn’t needed at all. i meant misting with plain old water. i have a regular mister bottle that was intended for use on laundry. i keep it filled with water and mist them at least once a day. they like it in the morning. wiebke – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > He doesn’t seem to drink the droplets of the Feather Glo so I > don’t know if he would for water misting.  He does seem to love his bath > though.  He actually sits still and turns for me so I can spray his whole > body.  It’s really cute.

Response:

I don’t know anything about the feather Glo, but I’d recommend just plain old water. It’s what mother nature gives the outdoor birds, so it’s good enough for the indoor birds as well. Dave

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I bought Feather Glo Bird Bath Spray which I’ve been using daily (it says > for daily use).  I was a little nervous about the ingredients and the bottle > doesn’t list what’s in it, only that the active ingredient is > "Alkyl-branched fatty acid esters in analogy to the plumage oil of birds" > (whatever that means).  I should probably get a water mister too and > alternate.  He doesn’t seem to drink the droplets of the Feather Glo so I > don’t know if he would for water misting.  He does seem to love his bath > though.  He actually sits still and turns for me so I can spray his whole > body.  It’s really cute. > I only mist once per day.  Is it okay to do more than that?  (If I switch to > water from the Feather Glo?)  My apartment is pretty warm so I’m not worried > about the temperature.  And he does seem to love it.  There are few things > I’ve found that interest him.  Actually I haven’t found anything that > interests him!  Different toys, playpen, fruits, vegetables, food treats, > being out (he just walks around and eventually sits there for a bit, then > goes back to his cage). > Thanks, > Jessica > jessica, > fyi, one thing to try out is a little misting or heck, a LOT misting. > not only do my budgies love the misting so they can preen and bathe > themselves, but they realllllly like the way that missing leaves water > droplet hanging on everything. they run all around the cage (even > going outside the cage) to sip up the water on the perches, toys, > bars, and everywhere else. they’re just very attracted to water that’s > been sprayed onto something. they also drink their regular water but i > agree, it’s hard to tell, especially when your bird is new and > hesitant to move around much. i think my budgies did their drinking > all in secret since i didn’t see them doing it for a lonnnnnnnnng > time. > wiebke > > It’s sooo hard to figure out if my Budgie is drinking.  I now have three > > different water sources for him.  A water bottle that doesn’t seem to be > > going down at all, a small flat dish that I’ve hooked next to his food, > and > > a deeper open dish that toward the bottom of the cage.  Since he never > > ventures to the bottom of the cage I doubt he’s using that one.  I think > > he’s using the one by the food since the water goes down, but I can’t > really > > tell what gets evaporated vs what he’s drinking.  Are there other signs > of > > dehydration to look for? > > -Jessica

Response:

It’s sooo hard to figure out if my Budgie is drinking.  I now have three different water sources for him.  A water bottle that doesn’t seem to be going down at all, a small flat dish that I’ve hooked next to his food, and a deeper open dish that toward the bottom of the cage.  Since he never ventures to the bottom of the cage I doubt he’s using that one.  I think he’s using the one by the food since the water goes down, but I can’t really tell what gets evaporated vs what he’s drinking.  Are there other signs of dehydration to look for? -Jessica

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Okay, a couple of things. First and foremost, two weeks really isn’t a long > time for a budgie to get used to his/her new home. So a log of what’s going > on could just be natural hesitance. > Secondly, and I’d watch this, the blinking you describe is sometimes related > to dehydration. Has she found her water yet? You may not notice her actually > drinking, but levels should go down, or something. > Chet > Hi all… > Ok, I’ve been trying to find something on this, and haven’t found any info > anywhere.  I’ve had my budgie home for about 2 weeks now…and have > noticed > one thing that I find rather odd.

Response:

> It’s sooo hard to figure out if my Budgie is drinking.  I now have three > different water sources for him.  A water bottle that doesn’t seem to be > going down at all, a small flat dish that I’ve hooked next to his food, and > a deeper open dish that toward the bottom of the cage.  Since he never > ventures to the bottom of the cage I doubt he’s using that one.  I think > he’s using the one by the food since the water goes down, but I can’t really > tell what gets evaporated vs what he’s drinking.  Are there other signs of > dehydration to look for? > -Jessica

Jessica, I’m not sure how long you have had your bird, but if they don’t drink water they will die.  So if you have had the bird for several days he is drinking water, you just aren’t catching him when he does.  They don’t drink a whole lot. Sharon

Response:

I’m so glad there’s another new owner.  I’ve had my bird almost two weeks too.  He pretty much acts like you’re describing.  He seems to blink a bit, but it seems like he’s just tired.  I did read that Budgies need 12 hours sleep per night plus two naps a day.  I try to give him the 12 hours covered and with quiet, but I just let him be during the day and figure he’ll nap when he needs to. My bird also seems very inactive.  Unfortunately he’s in a rather small cage because I’m having getting the big one I ordered to come in.  He has one toy which he ignores and I just changed to a different toy which he also seems to ignore.  He only eats his seed and millet so far but I’m trying a new fruit or vegetable every day.  I’m also trying to slowly switch him to pellets as I heard they are much better nutritionally balanced than seed. He mostly seem to just sit there, sometimes puffed, usually following me with his eyes.  He has ventured out a couple times when I leave his cage open, but he still doesn’t do too much except walk around a bit and then just sit there. I am taking my bird in next week for his checkup.  I’m thinking he’s just exibiting normal new bird behavior and isn’t sick.  (I hope.) -Jessica

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi all… > Ok, I’ve been trying to find something on this, and haven’t found any info > anywhere.  I’ve had my budgie home for about 2 weeks now…and have noticed > one thing that I find rather odd.  But perhaps it is normal?  She blinks A > LOT…not just a blink really…think being really tired and having trouble > keeping your eyes open…that’s kind of what it reminds me of.  I keep > thinking perhaps she’s just really bored…but she’s got 3 toys in her cage > (only will go near one though), and her cage is left open about 4-5 hours a > day during the week (all day sat and sun)….the only time the blinking > seems to stop is when I’m making loud noises and she’s intently watching to > see what’s going on.  Is this something normal for a budgie? > slightly different topic – I finally found music that she likes….heavy > metal! hahaha  She starts singing away and making noises I never hear her > make otherwise – whistling, "clicking" like I do to her, and generally what > seems to be attempts to mimic sounds she’s heard.  But she ONLY does this > when loud heavy music is being played!  Weird girl! lol

Response:

Okay, a couple of things. First and foremost, two weeks really isn’t a long time for a budgie to get used to his/her new home. So a log of what’s going on could just be natural hesitance. Secondly, and I’d watch this, the blinking you describe is sometimes related to dehydration. Has she found her water yet? You may not notice her actually drinking, but levels should go down, or something. Chet

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi all… > Ok, I’ve been trying to find something on this, and haven’t found any info > anywhere.  I’ve had my budgie home for about 2 weeks now…and have noticed > one thing that I find rather odd.

Response:

Oh…and as for the sitting still and puffed up part… She does sit pretty still much of the time…though she follows my actions and movements around the apartment with her eyes/head.  She occasionally is "puffed"…but it looks like she just does that for a few seconds and then shakes her feathers out – which from my understanding, is just a way of "relaxing" tensions.  Most of the time her feathers look smooth and healthy. I have also noticed that she’s got some tiny little black "pokies" on the top of her head (a new development since I brought her home)…but from previous posts, I’m thinking this may just be due to molting?  If that’s the case, are birds typically less active during a molt? btw…sorry if all the questions seem silly.  This is my first time with bird ownership. My fiance has owned two parakeets – both of which recently passed away – one from tumors, and the other starved herself to death shortly after … poor girl was so lonely, she just stopped eating! Anyway…this one is really for him…but until he arrives here from Germany, she’s in my care.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> She does do it often, but I can’t say ALL the time.  She has played in her > cage, has flown around the apartment on several occasions, etc…but her > periods of activity are short.  I’m just not sure if that’s because she is > still just a bit nervous about her new home or what. > A trip to the vet was in the plans for Saturday actually – regardless of > whether she is sick or not – just want to get her checked out – and check > this vet out.  (No avian vets in the area, but there is a vet that is listed > as seeing cats, dogs, and birds – so wanted to check them out).  Hopefully > it’s just still a bit of nerves and nothing too serious > Budgies blink like that when they are tired. Comes on all of a suddens > sometimes. They take a nap and then it’s back to normal. > I’m not sure from your post, but it seems like you are saying it does it > all > the time. If so, then it’s probably not tired, but sick. Is it sitting > still > and puffed up? Even though you’veonly had it for two weeks, does it ever > play and roam around it’s cage yet at all? > What you are describing is what a budgie does when it’s tired, but if it > is > doing it most of the time then I’d guess (without seeing it) that it’s > sick > and needs an emergency trip to an avian vet for a blood test, gram stain > and > immediate antibiotics (probably ciprofloxin or maybe baytril). > Dave > > Hi all… > > Ok, I’ve been trying to find something on this, and haven’t found any > info > > anywhere.  I’ve had my budgie home for about 2 weeks now…and have > noticed > > one thing that I find rather odd.  But perhaps it is normal?  She blinks > A > > LOT…not just a blink really…think being really tired and having > trouble > > keeping your eyes open…that’s kind of what it reminds me of.  I keep > > thinking perhaps she’s just really bored…but she’s got 3 toys in her > cage > > (only will go near one though), and her cage is left open about 4-5 > hours > a > > day during the week (all day sat and sun)….the only time the blinking > > seems to stop is when I’m making loud noises and she’s intently watching > to > > see what’s going on.  Is this something normal for a budgie? > > slightly different topic – I finally found music that she likes….heavy > > metal! hahaha  She starts singing away and making noises I never hear > her > > make otherwise – whistling, "clicking" like I do to her, and generally > what > > seems to be attempts to mimic sounds she’s heard.  But she ONLY does > this > > when loud heavy music is being played!  Weird girl! lol

Response:

She does do it often, but I can’t say ALL the time.  She has played in her cage, has flown around the apartment on several occasions, etc…but her periods of activity are short.  I’m just not sure if that’s because she is still just a bit nervous about her new home or what. A trip to the vet was in the plans for Saturday actually – regardless of whether she is sick or not – just want to get her checked out – and check this vet out.  (No avian vets in the area, but there is a vet that is listed as seeing cats, dogs, and birds – so wanted to check them out).  Hopefully it’s just still a bit of nerves and nothing too serious – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Budgies blink like that when they are tired. Comes on all of a suddens > sometimes. They take a nap and then it’s back to normal. > I’m not sure from your post, but it seems like you are saying it does it all > the time. If so, then it’s probably not tired, but sick. Is it sitting still > and puffed up? Even though you’veonly had it for two weeks, does it ever > play and roam around it’s cage yet at all? > What you are describing is what a budgie does when it’s tired, but if it is > doing it most of the time then I’d guess (without seeing it) that it’s sick > and needs an emergency trip to an avian vet for a blood test, gram stain and > immediate antibiotics (probably ciprofloxin or maybe baytril). > Dave > Hi all… > Ok, I’ve been trying to find something on this, and haven’t found any info > anywhere.  I’ve had my budgie home for about 2 weeks now…and have > noticed > one thing that I find rather odd.  But perhaps it is normal?  She blinks A > LOT…not just a blink really…think being really tired and having > trouble > keeping your eyes open…that’s kind of what it reminds me of.  I keep > thinking perhaps she’s just really bored…but she’s got 3 toys in her > cage > (only will go near one though), and her cage is left open about 4-5 hours > a > day during the week (all day sat and sun)….the only time the blinking > seems to stop is when I’m making loud noises and she’s intently watching > to > see what’s going on.  Is this something normal for a budgie? > slightly different topic – I finally found music that she likes….heavy > metal! hahaha  She starts singing away and making noises I never hear her > make otherwise – whistling, "clicking" like I do to her, and generally > what > seems to be attempts to mimic sounds she’s heard.  But she ONLY does this > when loud heavy music is being played!  Weird girl! lol

Response:

Hi all… Ok, I’ve been trying to find something on this, and haven’t found any info anywhere.  I’ve had my budgie home for about 2 weeks now…and have noticed one thing that I find rather odd.  But perhaps it is normal?  She blinks A LOT…not just a blink really…think being really tired and having trouble keeping your eyes open…that’s kind of what it reminds me of.  I keep thinking perhaps she’s just really bored…but she’s got 3 toys in her cage (only will go near one though), and her cage is left open about 4-5 hours a day during the week (all day sat and sun)….the only time the blinking seems to stop is when I’m making loud noises and she’s intently watching to see what’s going on.  Is this something normal for a budgie? slightly different topic – I finally found music that she likes….heavy metal! hahaha  She starts singing away and making noises I never hear her make otherwise – whistling, "clicking" like I do to her, and generally what seems to be attempts to mimic sounds she’s heard.  But she ONLY does this when loud heavy music is being played!  Weird girl! lol

Response:

Budgies blink like that when they are tired. Comes on all of a suddens sometimes. They take a nap and then it’s back to normal. I’m not sure from your post, but it seems like you are saying it does it all the time. If so, then it’s probably not tired, but sick. Is it sitting still and puffed up? Even though you’veonly had it for two weeks, does it ever play and roam around it’s cage yet at all? What you are describing is what a budgie does when it’s tired, but if it is doing it most of the time then I’d guess (without seeing it) that it’s sick and needs an emergency trip to an avian vet for a blood test, gram stain and immediate antibiotics (probably ciprofloxin or maybe baytril). Dave

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi all… > Ok, I’ve been trying to find something on this, and haven’t found any info > anywhere.  I’ve had my budgie home for about 2 weeks now…and have noticed > one thing that I find rather odd.  But perhaps it is normal?  She blinks A > LOT…not just a blink really…think being really tired and having trouble > keeping your eyes open…that’s kind of what it reminds me of.  I keep > thinking perhaps she’s just really bored…but she’s got 3 toys in her cage > (only will go near one though), and her cage is left open about 4-5 hours a > day during the week (all day sat and sun)….the only time the blinking > seems to stop is when I’m making loud noises and she’s intently watching to > see what’s going on.  Is this something normal for a budgie? > slightly different topic – I finally found music that she likes….heavy > metal! hahaha  She starts singing away and making noises I never hear her > make otherwise – whistling, "clicking" like I do to her, and generally what > seems to be attempts to mimic sounds she’s heard.  But she ONLY does this > when loud heavy music is being played!  Weird girl! lol

Response:

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