Shredded

I recently got the budgies a rather large "nest" made of grass, straw, and twine. I didn't expect them to nest in it...but I wasn't quite sure what they would do! Because of its size, I was worried it would be intimidating. They ignored it for a few days (as budgies do, with novel stimuli) but since then have been having what appears to be a blast tearing it up. The females are the most vigorous at chewing and tearing, but everyone has been having a go at it. There are really only two good tearing spots (spots where the budgies can pull it well) and that is on a wooden clothespin on the side of it, and from a perch adjacent to it. Sutcliffe has been quite creative in pulling it apart while sitting on top of it. I am glad they are enjoying it! It is good exercise for them and hopefully also good for keeping them from being bored! Oh, and by the way, Happy Boos-day, everyone!

We're back!

The budgies arrived in the new house a few days ago.  We don't have a radio set up and the house is largely quiet other than completely new strange noises (the clothes dryer, the air conditioner).They are currently staying in the mudroom.  Naturally, the budgies seem a bit aprehensive, or at least, a bit more quiet then usual.  I hope to let them sit on the front porch (pictured) a bit this weekend to see if they like the neighborhood!  However, there are squirrels and I have heard the neighbors have cats so we'll have to be careful. Any advice re: budgie porch sitting in this setting? (Extra credit: Grammar: did we use "then and than" correctly in this post?Sitting and setting?)

Weathering, Feathering, and Grassicles

We had a huge storm yesterday, with severe thunderstorms, and winds up to 70mph! Several tornadoes were spotted in the area. I was too afraid to go outside (and I am NOT agoraphobic by any means!) I don't know how high the wind was on the screened in porch where the budgie summer palace is, but, there were many branches and even a few trees down, and, the budgies were soaking wet as was the entire screened porch. They seemed a bit freaked out, but fine.

This morning as a special treat I put some very special large "feed grasses" in their case, in very large bunches to reward them for budgie bravery. The caveat; these were still frozen kernels, as I have been storing them in the freezer for special occasions. Boo and Sutcliffe ate them with joy, but the others took a few bites and then stood to the side, with the usual aversive budgie behavior which is typical when they encounter something new. I'll serve them new, frozen Grassicles tomorrow, and see if they come around to liking them, as they often do for other newly introduced foods.