FAQ
Bringing home a new budgie
1. Should I bring my babies' cage with me to pick him/her up?
No, you may bring a smaller travel cage to bring your baby home in. However, if you live 30 minutes or longer away, please bring a cage with seed, water, and a perch or two.
2. How long should I wait before taking my baby out?
You should wait at least two or three days or until your baby is comfortable (eating and chirping) before taking him/her out for the first time.
3. Why is my baby not eating/drinking?
Moving can be very stressful for a bird- it's a whole new environment away from his/her parents and siblings. Because of this, birds may not eat for the first few days. Try not to take the bird out until he/she is eating and comfortable. You will rarely see your birds drink anyway, so don't worry about that.
4. I have other birds- can I put my baby in their cage immediately?
No, if you have other birds you must quarantine your new baby before introducing them to each other. The reason for quarantining is to make sure the new bird and your birds are healthy and free of disease so that they don't contaminate eachother. Birds are VERY good at hiding illness, and so you may not know until it is too late and now all your birds are sick. To quarantine, have your baby in a cage at least 18x18x18 and in a seperate room from your other birds. Fully supply the babies' cage as it will need to live there for 30-60 days. Remember to wash your hands before going between birds. Do not break the quarantine until at least 30 days is up.
5. Okay, so I've finished quarantine. Now can I put my baby in with my other birds?
First of all, you can only put a budgie with other budgies. The only other type of bird I would say you could mix with would be a cockatiel, but this is only if they live in a very large aviary. Make sure your cage dimensions are big enough for as many budgies as you will have in the cage . It is also recommended, if possible, to add a female to male rather than the other way around, as females are very territorial. Also try to keep the male:female ratio even (if this isn't possible, at least have more males than females). Before just putting the new bird in with your bird(s), introduce them in a neutral area (such as a bird-proofed closet) first. See if they get along. If so, you can move them into a cage (if there is a male and female, put the male in first). If not, try again tomorrow. They may never get along, and in this case it may be fore the best to keep them in seperate cages. You wouldn't want to be forced to live in close quarters with someone you hate, right?
Sexing/Aging
1. Is my budgie male or female?
Male budgies will have pinkish/purplish ceres when young, and as they mature turn a deep blue. Females will have light pinkish/bluish ceres when young or not in breeding condition. They will also have white rings around the nostrils. A female in breeding condition will have a dark brown cere. A female not in condition may have light blue/tan ceres.
2. How old is my budgie?
Baby Bars/Cap feathers-In most mutations,young budgies have baby bars(lines)on their heads leading all the way down to their cere(nose).When the budgie is about 3-4 months old it will go through its first ever molt,and the baby bars(lines) will be replaced with a plain color(yellow or white)or new "cap".Which means to say,a budgie with baby bars(lines)has not gone through its first molt and is younger than 3-4 months.A budgie with a white or yellow "cap" is older than 3-4 months.Lutino/Albino,Recessive Pied
These mutations do not have normal feather markings so this step cannot be tried on them.
The eyes-In most mutations,young budgies eyes are all black.When they get older,the iris(ring around the eyes)lightens to a light grey or brown.A budgie with a completely black eye is most likely younger than 4 months.A budgie with a dark grey ring is most likely 4-8 months of age.A budgie with a light grey or brown ring is most likely older than 8 months.
There are some exceptions though:
Lutino/Albino,Recessive Pied,Lacewing,
Dark-eyed clear & Fallow These mutations have dark eyes that do not change with age.
3. Should I get a male or female?
This is a personal choice. Males usually chirp and sing more often, and have a higher chance of being able to talk.They have a better chance at taming. They also don't bite nearly as hard and tend to choose "flight" over "fight". Females are very territorial and can bite very hard if not tame, however some say they find them to have a lot more personality than males.I prefer males though. Don't get me wrong,i love my feisty little girls!
1. Should I bring my babies' cage with me to pick him/her up?
No, you may bring a smaller travel cage to bring your baby home in. However, if you live 30 minutes or longer away, please bring a cage with seed, water, and a perch or two.
2. How long should I wait before taking my baby out?
You should wait at least two or three days or until your baby is comfortable (eating and chirping) before taking him/her out for the first time.
3. Why is my baby not eating/drinking?
Moving can be very stressful for a bird- it's a whole new environment away from his/her parents and siblings. Because of this, birds may not eat for the first few days. Try not to take the bird out until he/she is eating and comfortable. You will rarely see your birds drink anyway, so don't worry about that.
4. I have other birds- can I put my baby in their cage immediately?
No, if you have other birds you must quarantine your new baby before introducing them to each other. The reason for quarantining is to make sure the new bird and your birds are healthy and free of disease so that they don't contaminate eachother. Birds are VERY good at hiding illness, and so you may not know until it is too late and now all your birds are sick. To quarantine, have your baby in a cage at least 18x18x18 and in a seperate room from your other birds. Fully supply the babies' cage as it will need to live there for 30-60 days. Remember to wash your hands before going between birds. Do not break the quarantine until at least 30 days is up.
5. Okay, so I've finished quarantine. Now can I put my baby in with my other birds?
First of all, you can only put a budgie with other budgies. The only other type of bird I would say you could mix with would be a cockatiel, but this is only if they live in a very large aviary. Make sure your cage dimensions are big enough for as many budgies as you will have in the cage . It is also recommended, if possible, to add a female to male rather than the other way around, as females are very territorial. Also try to keep the male:female ratio even (if this isn't possible, at least have more males than females). Before just putting the new bird in with your bird(s), introduce them in a neutral area (such as a bird-proofed closet) first. See if they get along. If so, you can move them into a cage (if there is a male and female, put the male in first). If not, try again tomorrow. They may never get along, and in this case it may be fore the best to keep them in seperate cages. You wouldn't want to be forced to live in close quarters with someone you hate, right?
Sexing/Aging
1. Is my budgie male or female?
Male budgies will have pinkish/purplish ceres when young, and as they mature turn a deep blue. Females will have light pinkish/bluish ceres when young or not in breeding condition. They will also have white rings around the nostrils. A female in breeding condition will have a dark brown cere. A female not in condition may have light blue/tan ceres.
2. How old is my budgie?
Baby Bars/Cap feathers-In most mutations,young budgies have baby bars(lines)on their heads leading all the way down to their cere(nose).When the budgie is about 3-4 months old it will go through its first ever molt,and the baby bars(lines) will be replaced with a plain color(yellow or white)or new "cap".Which means to say,a budgie with baby bars(lines)has not gone through its first molt and is younger than 3-4 months.A budgie with a white or yellow "cap" is older than 3-4 months.Lutino/Albino,Recessive Pied
These mutations do not have normal feather markings so this step cannot be tried on them.
The eyes-In most mutations,young budgies eyes are all black.When they get older,the iris(ring around the eyes)lightens to a light grey or brown.A budgie with a completely black eye is most likely younger than 4 months.A budgie with a dark grey ring is most likely 4-8 months of age.A budgie with a light grey or brown ring is most likely older than 8 months.
There are some exceptions though:
Lutino/Albino,Recessive Pied,Lacewing,
Dark-eyed clear & Fallow These mutations have dark eyes that do not change with age.
3. Should I get a male or female?
This is a personal choice. Males usually chirp and sing more often, and have a higher chance of being able to talk.They have a better chance at taming. They also don't bite nearly as hard and tend to choose "flight" over "fight". Females are very territorial and can bite very hard if not tame, however some say they find them to have a lot more personality than males.I prefer males though. Don't get me wrong,i love my feisty little girls!