Twigs is one of the Big Guys now!

[RavensGryf]

For those who are not familiar with my birds, I moved my Budgie Twigs into the room with the parrots a couple months ago. Twigs did NOT receive a warm welcome from Raven, Griffin, and Robin.

Still, Twigs kept insisting on flying to Raven's cage "the bachelor pad" (where Raven and Griffin hang out) as a favorite landing spot, and sit on the swing and rope perch just outside the cage. Thank goodness Twigs has lighting quick reflexes, and is a fast and agile flyer! :52: He kept flying over to say 'hi guys!' Lol, but the playground bullies (especially Griffin) chased him away every time.

Raven who is usually very tolerant towards other birds was a little less of a bully and started getting curious about the tiny little guy... He started saying hi to Twigs (literally saying "hi" LOL) and about half the time would let Twigs hang out with him for a minute or so before chasing him away. It was more of a "get outta here" type of chase, you could tell he wasn't out for blood. Griffin on the other hand, WAS!! I was extremely cautious with their interactions at first, and I wasn't even sure if I was going to ever be able to let them out at the same time! Eventually, Griffin stopped literally launching himself and jumping through the air toward Twigs like a grasshopper out for blood!! They'd be fine (everyone besides Robin on Raven's large cage) as long as Twigs kept a good distance from Griffin. At least Griffin stopped seeking him out

Well today I was SHOCKED to see... Twigs and Griffin sitting right by each other and softly beaking at each other's beak in a friendly gesture! Although I supervise them when out, I feel that Twigs is safer now... even though Raven and Griffin aren't Twigs' "friends" I feel better knowing they aren't seriously out to kill him anymore. Also Twigs moves VERY fast as Budgies do, anytime he gets told to leave.

I think Twigs was looking quite proud tonight. He even drank out of the guy's water bowl LOL He was feeling like a BIG man... Chest out, arms crossed... "Yep, I'm a parrot too!" LOL.

Here is Raven (BW Pionus), Twigs (yellow/turquoise pied Budgie), and Griffin (Ruppell's parrot) sitting on the same perch in "The Bachelor Pad" otherwise known as Raven's cage Raven is FINALLY getting some navy blue feathers replacing the green yay! Late bloomer.

 

[kq_fan]

Aww good boy! Stand up to them little guy! He is so brave!

 

[EAI]

Twigs is so adorable, it's pretty funny to see how small he is compared to that perch X)
Congrats on Raven's feathers btw!

 

[Selestine]

He reminds me of Joe Pesci in the Lethal Weapon movies

 

[SilverSage]

I am big on being careful with the different species, but there are some birds who just will not accept being apart, even if huge others don't prefer it flick kept getting into Sam and lady's cage when I first got them and I would freak out and get her out every time, until I saw lady move over so flick could get to the food they are flock animals, through and through! I am so happy he has been persistent and is being accepted. I was concerned for him after he lost his buddy.

 

[thekarens]

Look at Twigs go! He's determined to be one of the big guys!

 

[Bundiibird]

Way to go Twigs. You look so proud of yourself.

Glad the other boys let him enjoy the Batchelor pad too.

 

[Kiwibird]

That's so sweet! Twigs is such a tiny little guy compared to Raven and Griffin, so I'm glass they've allowed him to be part of their "flock" too

 

[Allee]

Twigs looks so smug sitting in the bachelor pad with the big boys. So glad to see him having fun with his new buddies.

 

[RavensGryf]

Thanks It showed how Twigs is truly a flock bird. Look how vastly different they are in species, yet after losing his best buddy he sought out new birdy friends no matter what kind they are, and was persistent about it! I'm happy for him. He definitely prefers bird over human company. Although he's tame, he doesn't allow handling except a quick step up and only to get him out of his cage. He won't step up any other time. I make him step up in order to be able to get out of his cage, that way we at least have 'some' contact.

I'm always so careful when there is a size difference, so I was relieved at the point I knew they weren't trying to kill Twigs any longer. You remember I was concerned about Raven and Griffin's size difference also until I knew they bonded and would be careful. Twigs does look funny on the big branch next to the parrots

I'm actually glad they aren't real close physically with little Twigs, because the size difference there is so extreme, and could even mean 'accidental' injury. "Oops! I preened my buddy a little too hard and accidentally killed him"

@Selestine - I've never seen Joe Pesci in Lethal Weapon movies but I get the gist lol.

 

[Mango121913]

Mango here,
Look you have a Classy flock, you know that he had to pass the initiation first?! Now that the ground rules are set, he is one of us, ahemm, i mean them.


We will call him, "Branch with leaves" makes him feel bigger.

 

[RavensGryf]

LOL. Thanks Craig. Uh.. I mean Mango!

 

[Terry57]

Twigs looks so tiny in there! But he looks also like he feels like one of the big boys as well
So cute and I know he must be happier with a flock of his own again

 

[Dinosrawr]

That's great! It's so nice to see such great flock dynamics in your home And I'm happy that Twigs sought out companionship instead of withdrawing. What a brave little birdie!

 

[RavensGryf]

They still chase him away though . Maybe I spoke too soon? I thought it was going to be good all of the time now, but no such luck... I think it depends on what mood they're in. Especially Griffin.

That little Twigs is a pretty aggressive Budgie too. He'll puff up his chest and head feathers and stand tall and stand up to the parrots in a threatening manner striking out with his beak LOL (like he has his little fist clenched too) haha it's hilarious. Of course when he's seriously being chased he will bolt out of there fast. When I had the two Budgies, Twigs definitely made it known that he was the dominant one.

 

[SilverSage]

Have you considered a second budgie?

 

[RavensGryf]

Have you considered a second budgie?

Of course the thought did run across my mind, BUT... I had to restrain myself and look at the reality of things right now. There are several good reasons why we just can't get another bird at this time.

This year alone, I've had to spend many THOUSANDS $$$ :53: on Robin's diagnostics, surgery, as well as ongoing treatment still ahead. Raven's ongoing treatment for the aftermath of his his sinus infection from the freak nare injury caused by his sibling, :53: and on top of that, I'd also like to take Griffin and Twigs for basic routine lab work. :53:

Although the initial cost of a Budgie is cheap, you know I would take them to the vet and spend the same money as I would with Robin, Raven, and Griffin. I spent many hundreds on Pix at 2 vets before his passing. We just cannot afford to ring up any more on the credit card since Robin and Raven still need ongoing treatment that will cost a significant amount still ahead :53:. Should I get another bird right now and with the luck I've been having, I'd be afraid of even MORE vet bills, since the sad fact is, MANY Budgies are unfortunately genetically inferior and end up with health problems as I'm sure you know.

Plus, since we moved in with my elderly father who is getting dementia, life has not been fun (to say the least), and hubby and I and all the birds are crammed in 2 rooms with only the bare essentials now, and it has been EXTREMELY HARD getting used to living like this and don't know how long we will be living with this arrangement, but I can't foresee any immediate change. Until there is change of situation, there is NO more room even though the house is not small. I won't keep the birds anywhere where my dad is. I just have a little room for a bigger cage upgrade for Twigs and Griffin.

So that's the long answer lol. I've noticed Twigs is a lot happier than ever now and playing with toys a lot more!

 

[SilverSage]

Wow that is a lot to deal with! I am glad you are the responsible type, and the kind who values budgies for the treasures they are

 

[Kisota]

Awww, lil' Twigs is a nice big Branch now!

That's adorable. What a determined little guy. He definitely looks very self satisfied sitting there all poofed up, with his giant buddies like body guards around him.

If you ever do think about a budgie in the future, I have heard that English budgies tend to be less prone to the tumors and things that often plague those little guys.

Yikes, though, sounds like you're in a VERY stressful situation to say the least! *hugs!!*

 

[RavensGryf]

If you ever do think about a budgie in the future, I have heard that English budgies tend to be less prone to the tumors and things that often plague those little guys.

Really?? I've always thought they were MORE prone. I thought that was why the English ones have a shorter lifespan on average.