New Family Member....

[shutterbug0303]

Well everyone...I read here often, but now I get to post here! :D

Welcome....

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid154/pf808f358673e603c8e0597cb88b8806a/f5781c67.jpg

Our budgie...without a name :o
Since Parakeets are from an Australian descent, we want to use an Australian name....hhmm...maybe "Foster"! lol Anyway, suggestions are appreciated. He was rather nervous tonight between the trip home, new home, dogs, noise, etc. But is settled in now under his blanket getting some much needed rest. Heres a pic of his new home! PetSmart has the coolest stuff!

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid154/p91cf037d5bf0b7997dc36695e6deb25c/f5781bb1.jpg

I know a parakeet isn't as exciting as a quaker that we had initially hoped for, but I think he will be perfect as our first bird. My bro is thrilled! :D

[BCBlondie]

What a little cutie! :D

I love his house! :)

[LuvGold00]

That is an awesome cage!!!
Congratulations!

[Cookiebaker]

Oh my goodness, what a gorgeous birdie!! Gauging by the color of his nose and the bands on his head, he looks to be just a baby. Spend a lot of time with him now, and it should be fairly easy to tame him and train him to talk. Babies are a lot easier to train than adults. Please do share lots of more pictures!!

[Jods]

awwwhhhh what a sweetheart... I have a little budgie 2!!! Mines name is Boo and we've had him for a really really long time. I'm not even sure how old he is. He can say hello lol... (he copies my cockatiel) What great news theat you got a birdie friend.:)

[Erebus3]

Awww, he's very cute, Congrats!! Flippin sweet cage, Lucky!! lol

[shutterbug0303]

Thanks everyone. Yes, "he" (of course we can't know yet) is a bitty baby...the guy said probably about a month or 2. I really know nothing about birds, but my mom has had some experience. We are really hoping it is a male since they tend to talk more often. The name thing is still in the air, so post some suggestions :)

He is still super nervous and hasn't really moved from the one spot yet. I'm sure he'll find his food and water when ready. One question...how do we begin to introduce ourselves to him? Of course we are talking to him constantly, but as far as being able to have him step up eventually. He spazes whenever our hands even begin to enter the cage. I know this has to be normal...he's been with us for less than 24 hours. Should we get him out and then try to let him trust us? Work on it while he's still in the cage? Only show him our hand for the first few days and gradually work our way to touching him, etc? Obviously I'm at a total loss. :confused: Any info would be great! I'm off to do a bit of reading on the net for now! Thanks bunches everyone!!

[Raven]

Aw! He is so adorable! I think it's a boy because of his cere (the wax-like-stuff just above his beak). If The cere is blue, then the parakeet is a boy. If the cere if brown or beige, then the parakeet is a girl. But some boy parakeets can have brown or beige ceres, so only an expert and really tell. And of course, he is a baby, his cere may change color as he get older. That happened with one of my parakeets. But I'm pretty sure he's a boy.

[shutterbug0303]

Thanks for the info Raven! I think that "Foster" is a boy as well. The close-ups really do look like he has a blue cere. We'll have to see if anything changes. He is beginning to get a little more comfortable around us, but still not steping up at all. We're working on it though. He is a cute little guy, and the dogs are thrilled to have a new baby brother! :D

[Jods]

He's a boy unless it changes. LOL Hes soo cute

[Giselle]

Definitely a male. He looks to be a Normal Skyblue, and Normals are very easy to sex.

As for taming, I'd teach UP before I let him out of the cage. A nice way to introduce your budgie to hands is to feed him with it. You place a couple seeds in your hand and place it in the cage with your palm open to the sky. Budgies LOVE millet, so you might want to try that. After he feels confident enough to approach your hand, you might want to try pressing a finger to his breast. He might go up, he might not. I really wouldn't push it with a new bird. Just teach him that hands ALWAYS mean something good. Is he handfed?

Edit: Whoops, I took a closer look and it looks like he's a Normal Cobalt. Could just be the lighting *shrugs*. I'm not too greyt with the blue series:D

[shutterbug0303]

Thanks Giselle!

He does seem to be pretty comfortable with our hands as far as touching and eating from it. Up is where we are still working. We will def. have to keep him in his cage until he learns up...I just hope it isn't too long. I hate to see him in his cage all the time.

[captain]

I JUST found this ................ congratulations!!!!

He is beautiful!! And I LOVE his name ......:D

[luvofallhorses]

CONGRATS what a cutie pie :D

[Tina]

What a cutie!! Congrats!

[lute]

oh my!!! he is a real cutie! looks just like my Picasso.

i love those cages! i saw some in a birdtalk mag.

[K9soul]

What a cutie! I am partial to the bright, bold colored keets like Foster myself. My very first pet was a bright yellow and green keet named Peepers, he was such a character and a wonderful talker. I am sure you'll have lots of fun times ahead with Foster. Keets are such little clowns, I just love watching them play :)