Coordinated mating songs

[SilverSage]

Both my cockatiel pairs are set up at the moment, and have been exhibiting typical pre-nesting behaviors. I have had cockatiels in the past that did not sing to their mates, but these males both do. This particular song is usually followed by mating, and I was smiling as i head it in the other room while I was cooking. And then I realized it sounded a bit... Odd. So I snuck in to look, and low and behind, it WAS odd! My males, both dominant silvers, we're actually SHARING the song! Kiowa was singing the first few notes, and Chinook was singing the last few. They were repeating it over and over in cooperation, the way usually only one would do at a time. I have never seen this before or heard of it happening, but I think it is pretty cool

 

[SolarEclipse]

Wow. That IS cool!!

 

[SilverSage]

Aaaaand now they are singing almost in sync with each other, it sounds like a weird echo.

 

[SolarEclipse]

That is soooo cute! Can't wait to experience this joy!!

 

[SilverSage]

In that case I may have to share pictures of the babies when they come

 

[95talongirl]

Lol! That's so funny! . Silly little tiels!

 

[SolarEclipse]

lol im sitting here researching budgies when idk if i can even get one xD oh well doesnt hurt.

 

[SolarEclipse]

haha SilverSage need your advice xD
parakeet or GCC?
it would be in my room, which im in ALOT.
gonna have a nice,big,roomy cage. anytime i am home, that bird is out of that cage. bedtime will be 7, since thats when i wake up (usually)

 

[SilverSage]

Hhhm, are you living with your parents? Do you have a job or would your parents be paying for things? Either way, how much can you afford/will they be willing to pay per month for food, toys, vet bills, etc? Do you have your own room? How old are you? (not trying to be rude but it really does matter) How many people live in your house? What other pets are around? Do you have local breeders?

 

[SolarEclipse]

Yes i live with parents, i do household chores for $5/week, plus paid for As on report cards. I hope to get it by X-mas or (hopefully) before, so i have plenty of time to save uo, and i already have a good deal of money. Im willing to pay as much as it looks like i need. I just hope i can afford it! I do have my own room, and i am a teen (our family friend has a budgie, and theyve given me plenty of pointers, if this helps) its my parents and my bro. I have 2 dogs. I found a breeder about an hr from here for the GCC.

 

[SilverSage]

It sounds like there is no clear determining factors one way or the other then except money and getting the actual bird. I do not suggest a bird that is not tame unless you are 100% committed to taming it and loving it, and have done a lot of research on how to do that and what to expect. For that reason I would lean toward GCC simply because budgies are typically sold wild. On the other hand, $5/week is not enough to keep a GCC in healthy food and toys, unless you really get creative, which you CAN do. Sprout all his seeds and feed nuts and dry seeds as treats, for starters, That is far healthier than seeds or even pellets, and much less expensive than pellets. Also, get fresh veggies and fruits for your bird any time your family gets them, same for whole grains, etc. Look up lots of DIY cheap toy ideas, there are LOTS on here!

So it depends on what you want. Budgies are fun, they are smart, they can learn to talk and they are just gems. GCCs are my favorite bird, hands down though. Try to find a place to spend time with them. A tame budgie is a treasure, but many people *think* they have what it takes to tame a bird, when really they will give up and the poor bird will never be tame.

 

[SolarEclipse]

Yes i will definitely, thanks! Im in love with GCC too.I know $5 isnt spectacular, but, hey, its somethin and i am a creative person. How do you find seeds that will sprout and have nothing that will harm the bird? My dad goes to Wal-Mart every week so that'll help with that part!! My main concern is how ill find good that won't harm the bird.I'm afraid to ask mom for the bird, cuz i think she'll say no.my dad might be on board, tho. I'm currently saving up and have almost 200, which is pretty good for me.like i said im crafty, so those new toys i might b able to make.

 

[SilverSage]

Sprout your regular bird seed, whatever size is right for your bird. All seeds that have not been somehow treated will sprout, that is literally what they were made to do. There are threads here, and "how to" videos all over the internet. $200 is almost enough to get a budgie set up, but not enough to even buy a good GCC in most places. Be careful - if you mom will say no, then I suggest waiting. Wanna hear a story? It is about my mom evicting all of my birds from my house when I was a teenager. She did - she made me sell every single one. It was devastating. I gave my two favorites to my aunt so I could still see them sometimes, and she killed them by accidentally poisoning them with an air-freshener. One of them was my best friend in the whole world. And what happens when you go off to college? Usually freshmen have to live in the dorm - who will keep your bird, assuming you mom hasnt made you get rid of it? Your parents? Will they be ok with that? And after that, will you be able to afford to choose only pet friendly housing?

I am not trying to be ugly here, just trying to save some heartbreak, because no matter how much you love the bird, if you are not the adult in the house you cannot guarantee that the bird will never be kicked out, and the fact that your mom will already say no is a really bad sign. And no matter how sad rehoming your bird makes you, it will make him even sadder. I know a few years seems like a long time, but consider waiting until you are at least out of high school, have a stable job and living situation, etc. At least.

 

[SolarEclipse]

I know :'( thats what alot of ppl have been telling me. The truth? I just cant bear the thought of waiting that long, it seems like forever!! I want to give a bird the best possible care, but that seems so far away. My parents prob wouldnt make me rehome, bjt i guess u never know. Its so sad.... guess my dream bird will have to wait...sorry to waste your time...

 

[SilverSage]

Learning is never a waste of time. My suggestion is, if you truly cannot bear the wait, then be disciplined. Force yourself to wait for a bird that truly needs you, instead of seeking out a bird that will mostly likely have a home waiting for it. Such as, an older budgie that is not tame being sold on craigslist. It happens all the time. This bird will likely have a shorter life span, but if you work with it, can be just as loving as any other bird out there - thats what my first bird was. Well, not craigslist, but a wild, older, unwanted budgie. This will decrease your chances of having to rehome the bird as your life moves and you get more and more demands on your time. Also, stick around this website - it is a veritable treasure trove of info - learn all you can!

 

[Colorguarder08]

Look at it this way. The longer you wait the more you can save. Therefore insuring that when your ready and able to get whichever bird you choose you will be able to provide a bigger cage more toys and stock up on food (seeds and pellets). Which in turn means you'll be better prepared and the bird will have a more enjoyable life because its basic needs are already provided for

 

[EAI]

A video would be so cool. I'd love to hear that too!

I agree with Colorguarder08, even if you end up without the bird, you can always think about how much money you saved . But in all seriousness, don't rush anything because you want one NOW NOW NOW, theres a chance you might have to end up waiting a few years just for a Budgie. Trust me, this happened twice and I had to limit prices and had to "shorthand" them which is extremely unfair to the birds.

I was able to pull enough money to catch up to things they missed, but that was only my case scenario.

 

[EAI]

Sorry if some things sound off, i was typing with a bird in my palm and was rushing. Let me know if anything needs clarifying.

 

[Selestine]

Well I feel a little late to the party for my comment since the topic has shifted but..

Did your female tiels throw their toy keys in the food bowl?!

 

[SilverSage]

No, they have not thrown anything in the food bowl and they dont have keys as toys, though my GCCs and IRNs routinely put things in their dishes.