Poll results: how old were you when you got your first budgie?

The left side shows the percentage (a total of 812 people has voted, thank you!!) while the horizontal line shows the age of the voters.

The graph shows that budgies are hugely popular among 5 - 15 year olds. But are they really suitable pets for people of all ages?

All kids should get the possibility to grow up together with a pet. Budgies, however, are not ideal pets for all kids. For one, physical contact is unmissable for kids aged eight and below. Not all budgies like to be petted and you can't "cuddle" with them or squeeze them. Additionally, even the tamest budgerigars will get spooked when you're making a brusque movement or noise in front of them - something that a lot of small kids will do unintentionally.

But when your child gets older (ages eight and up), budgies might just be the perfect pets. You will find that your kid takes more time to observe the birds and ask questions. In other words, they become the perfect caretakers for budgies: gentle, loving and patient. I must have been 8 or 9 when I got my first budgie and I can only agree to this!

Do you expect Disco will say it?

Do you remember Disco the budgie? Erlend showed me this video yesterday, and I thought it was amazingly cute! He's trying to say that "no one expects the Spanish inquisition", a famous line from the Monty Python series. Our budgies haven't started talking yet, but I can tell they are trying sometimes! More updates soon.

Holidays needed!

Hi,

Some of you might have started wondering why I haven't posted in a while. As usual, I will blame work, and the fact that we are still busy moving into a new apartment. Until that comes to an end, I can give you some quick updates:

1) Our budgies have moved from a cage into a small aviary!

2) Leonidas and Pixie have turned out to be both GIRLS!

3) Frodo seems very interested in Leonidas - or do we call her Leopatra now?

Pictures will follow!

Photo © kotorinai on Twitter

Budgie of the Month: Buddy Lee

Photo © saudiak on tumblr

Long overdue post! This story was submitted on Me & My Budgie, by Lori Tomlinson. These stories just make me so happy, it proves that people really care about budgies.

For our one-year wedding anniversary, my husband and I decided to take a road trip to an Indian Casino about and hour and a half from our house. When we first arrived into town, my husband asked me to pull over so he could get a soda. I pulled into a fast-food drive thru, but my husband wanted bottled soda, not fountain (picky, picky!). So as I waited in the drive-thru line, he got out to run to the gas station next door. A few seconds later, he was tapping at the car window. I looked out and saw him pointing toward his shoulder. The cutest little bright green budgie had landed there! 

I got through the drive-thru line, and jumped out of the car. The bird had followed my husband around to the other side of the building. I asked the restaurant employees if they knew anything about the poor little bird, and no one did. Having no experience with birds, but being the sucker for animals that I am, I convinced my husband to help me capture the little guy and go in search of a pet store. Of course, there were none in the area, so the three of us headed for home. 

Over the past few months, Buddy Lee -- Bird of Adventure, has made himself at home. Having read as much as I could get my hands on about caring for budgies, I learned that they are happier in groups. So, I recently acquired a little brother for Buddy, named Dingo. I absolutely love having them around, though my two jealous cats resent having to share my attention with them. We have established a "rotate-the-pets-schedule" in our home -- when the birds have free-flying time, the cats spend the evening on the porch. 

My husband and I never did make it to the casino that day. But Buddy Lee (and his new little brother) have turned out to be a million times more fun that a slot machine!

Budgie found in Hareid Stadium (article)

Photo © Vikebladet Vestposten

Erlend sent me this article while I was at work. It's from last month but it's a sweet story!

A team of young football players in Hareid (Norway) were out practicing on the field, when someone reported seeing a budgerigar that came flying into the stadium. It was ice cold outside, so the budgie had come to the right place, because the team took the budgie inside where they kept him warm and safe.

The same evening, the lost budgie was recognized by its owner, who had seen him fly away through the window earlier. Happy ending!

Source: vikebladet.no