Yep, this was taken on a rare day out for Stevie. Also, it was just before I thought she was going blind. However, when I took her to the vet, it turned out she was overweight... being 67g instead of 52g. So, for those who have birds, yes there is such a thing as a fat budgie... and here she is!
Writer, poet, artist and prolific reader.... that's me.
I'm a collector of books, vinyls, coin purses and strange handbags... that's me too.
Otherwise, I love...
One proud parakeet! I've heard that mirrors encourage bonding with the image in the mirror, instead of us. Do you find this to be true? Is that a mirror behind him?
I found that when I first got her, I didn't put the mirror in and Stevie became very destructive - even when I was around. So, the mirror give the bird the impression they're not alone in the cage. You see, when I picked out my budgie, Stevie was in amongst about 15 other budgies and so to go from that to being alone was a big change.
Now, if I take the mirror out clean it, she frets it won't come back - even if I do clean it in plain view of the cage - she's hanging off the side of the cage looking for it.
But at night, she licks it and tries to feed the other bird in the mirror; so sees it as a companion. Then, late at night, she'll snuggle up to to it. So, I don't see the harm in having it there. She knows I'm here and so long I make sure I'm talking to her a lot, the mirror is something to keep her company while I'm out or away from her for long periods of time.
Since November last year, I've had her on Harrison's Pellets. She didn't like them at first, but seeing I've been able to put them in with her seed, she's okay with it now if I hand feed some to her in the morning. Since this photo, Stevie's lost the needed weight by me making her fly around the living room a few times a day.
Now, if I take the mirror out clean it, she frets it won't come back - even if I do clean it in plain view of the cage - she's hanging off the side of the cage looking for it.
But at night, she licks it and tries to feed the other bird in the mirror; so sees it as a companion. Then, late at night, she'll snuggle up to to it. So, I don't see the harm in having it there. She knows I'm here and so long I make sure I'm talking to her a lot, the mirror is something to keep her company while I'm out or away from her for long periods of time.