"Under my thumb" (video)

More budgie love

I can't help thinking how cute budgies are, especially when you observe them as a pair:

Image © sora-yukinono cocolog-nifty.com

That's real love :)

Do budgies smell bad?

Many people are curious if a pet budgie smells. In a way, it's the same as asking if a dog or a cat smells. If you never give your pet the opportunity to wash, then of course it will be smelly.

Photo © Bird A Day Blog

In general, budgies do not smell at all. They are among the cleanest creatures on the planet. Even their poop doesn't smell. Budgies prefer to take a bath every day. They preen themselves until their feathers shine. They don't go outside and roll in the mud, so they mostly preen themselves to remove dust particles from their skin.

What people think their budgie smells like:

In general, people think their budgie has a sweet, lovely scent of its own. Depending on what you feed your bird, it might have broccoli breath (then you have a BBB, or "Broccoli Breath Budgie") or apple breath, but never anything serious because you can't feed them garlic or fish.

Most people also seem to think that budgies smell like (creamed) corn!

Other people think budgies smell like:

• laundry that has dried in the fresh air
• something hard-to-describe between lavender and freshly-cut green plants
• warm, fresh and musky
• chocolate
• cucumbers
• cereals
• rose petals
• seeds
• honey
• not really anything, they are practically smell-free

Conclusion: it's clear that budgies have some kind of sweet aroma, especially when they are dry (some people say they smell a bit funky when they're wet) and have been outside in the open air. A lot of people admitted they love to smell their budgies. Too bad we can't get some Eau de Budgie in the store :)

Personally, I think they smell a bit like warm pancakes. What do you think?

Cuddle Factor

Budgies are small birds, which means you can't pick up and squeeze them against your chest!
Budgies like to "cuddle" in their own special way. When they are tame, they will sit on your shoulder or your head and preen your hair, to show you that they love you. They may even fall asleep on top of you.
Some budgies are "cuddlier" than others. It often depends on how they are raised as a baby and how they've been treated since then. If you spend little time on them, they will treat you equally, like a stranger.

Image © wallpaperscorner.com

Budgies often have a favorite person, and that will be the person they will cuddle with. Experts always suggest that you socialize your budgie when you bring it home so that it will be comfortable when there are other people visiting the house and handling them.
Even then, there is no guarantee that they will like everyone. Some budgies just pick one person to like. You can’t force a budgie to like anyone they don't like, but you can help them to tolerate them.
Often a budgie will not "like" someone because they are able to feel that person's apprehension. Budgies are flattered by sweet, soft words and happy people who are gentle with them. Encourage people to relax when they handle your budgies. If they are really nervous, it might be best for them to wait until they have more confidence.

Image © Handfed Budgies

Fortunately, a bite from this little bird will not likely cause a trip to emergency. But if a budgie doesn't like you, he will make sure to show you!

Information © www.parrot-and-conure-world.com