Last Updated on by Catherine Tobsing
Dear Catherine,
Omar and Milo are not playing with those wonderful toys.
I’m thinking that the breeder that turns the young budgies over to the animal shelter had probably never exposed them to toys before and they don’t know how to play.
I’m determined to get this going!
I will try rotating the toys or placing them in different positions. It’s also possible that my two just don’t like toys. Omar is now 4 and Milo is some months old.
If you have any other thoughts please feel free to share. Thank you.
All best,
Leslie G.
Following Up on the Cohabitation of Milo and Omar My Budgies
Dear Leslie
The toys represent the leaves on your bird’s tree. A bird will nibble off some leaves, they will snuggle up next to some, and hide behind others.
Without the leaves/toys, the birds may not feel comfortable and safe.
It is not always easy to determine if our birds are happy in their cages in our homes.
They don’t have much choice.
And unless they are actively thrashing around trying to escape, we don’t really know what is on their minds.
We can only try and determine what they need and we can provide for their comfort.
The bird’s cage should be against a wall or have a solid back which can be a towel or piece of cardboard. This helps them realize that nothing can sneak up behind them.
The birdcage should have some “privacy” items on the sides and even in the front as these also help them feel safer and better able to relax.
Perches
There should be at least one nice sleeping perch placed high and in the rear close to the left or right side, depending on the cage’s placement in the room.
If the cage is in a corner, the sleeping perch is best mounted closer to the corner.
Other perches can be placed gradually in lower areas (like steps) with the lowest at about mid-cage.
Unless you have an ill or infirm bird they don’t need ladders or perches all the way to the bottom.
That they are not actively chewing up or yanking on the toys, is okay.
I have had numerous toys in our budgie cage that may sit for weeks, then all of a sudden they realize there is a weak spot or the colorful paper dangly thing is fun and gets decimated in a day.
Budgies really like swings, a simple perch with a wire frame is fine. However, if the bird is clipped, it may not be able to get on it unless it is near the side of the cage.
A fearful bird may be afraid of the swing motion in the beginning, so tying the side of the swing to the cage side can be helpful in allowing the bird to give a swing a try.
Once a bird embraces the stable swing, cut the string letting the bird embrace full advantage of what will be perceived as a satisfying motion.
Do you have a light above the cage? A good light will also help the birds to be more active and “test new stuff with my beak” rather than sit in a dim area and nap.
Food can be a very good motivator to try new accessories. A piece of millet spray tied to a new toy or new perch arrangement will tempt a fearful bird.
Something interesting, I found is that the ages of budgies determine their interest in the types of bird toys and how they are engaged.
Our older budgies spend more time just sitting, observing, and chattering than the younger ones who will be more inclined to climb on and nibble a new toy.
Currently, Omar is older and a male who is now interested in the young female.
This might be a little intimidating for the young hen so be sure to offer her several places to sit that are not right in front of Omar.
Reach out should you require further advice.
Kindest regards,
Catherine
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