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?)

Riot of Parrots

Check out the artwork of Guus Kemp, a local Houston (Houston Heights!) Artist, whose painting, "riot of Parrots" is reminiscent of morning at our house. Out of respect for the artist and copyright, I won't try to put that picture here, but check it out at the link!

Missing the Budgies

What is the reason that we bond so tightly to our pets? I really miss the budgies! People may say that this is the innate parenting tendency, which may well be part of it.

Budgies in a Kennel

Our evil landlords won't let us go month to month while we are (currently) in the process of buying a house, and while J has to work two time zones away (as a "stimulus worker, thanks Obama!), and as a result, for the next several weeks K has had to move into a hotel, and the budgies have had to be kenneled. Naturally we miss them terribly. However, the place boarding them seems very loving and highly competent; Animal Avian Hospital (Rice Village). They seem to really like budgies as well as other animals. I hope to go by and visit the budgies even though they are being housed. I was very reassured that they took pictures of all 4 of the budgies and gave me little magnets with the pictures in them. Sure, its a smart marketing gimmick, but the person who took the pictures was really excited about how cute they were.

The Un-Fun for Budgie Owners-Is there an Art to It?

Anyone who had never owned a pet and reading this blog (can't imagine those two categories cross-sectioning, but perhaps, an animal lover who is in jail or something)...anyway, as i was was saying...errr....(starting over). Anyone who HAS owned a pet, knows that there is the un-fun part, which is, usually, dealing with 1) things that come out of their butts 2) things that have to do with their food after being eaten (clean up, or a mess) and 3) shedding (be it fur or in this case, feathers). Budgies, by far, are much, much less un-fun in this way than any dog or cat. while it would be ideal to clean the cage every day (just like for a cat owner, cleaning the litter box daily would be good..yeah right!), I suspect that once a week is pretty standard, and also, pretty acceptable. This doesn't apply to seed dishes-if they have only hulls in them, and no new seeds, or it is hard for the budgie to reach the seeds under spent hulls, the budgie could starve. So, seed dishes should be emptied and have new seed replaced daily.

I like the current set up for the bottom of the cage, having tried lots of "litter". The corn cob litter is safe for budgies, and looks ok (not that I spend a lot of time looking at it...). And because budgies have their favorite perches, and, favorite spots on the favorite perches, they tend to, er, accumulate "waste" in particular spots. I put timothy hay under those spots, so I can easily and quickly clean those areas, and not have to do a total cage change as often. Additionally, timothy hay smells good. Also, it can be pushed up against the edge of the cage, which can be hard to clean, and keep that from getting soiled.

So, if you've read this far, you're either 1) totally bored 2) as obsessed with budgies as I am, to the point where you are interested, even in their poop 3) one of those animal lovers in prison mentioned at the beginning or 4) all of these.

Magoo Gains on Boo

Boo has long been the favorite. I adore all the budgies (of course) and all have their very special features and personality traits. I can't imagine if I had to give any of them up. When we first brought Magoo back home, I admit I felt burdened. I had hoped friends would adopt him. Now, however, I would find it very hard to let him go. He is so cheeky and brave! For example, tonight I left the door of the cage open, while I went to get cilantro. He steps right out, looks around, explores. When new food is in the cage, he and Sutcliffe both very eagerly try it (Magoo must be a flock leader in training). Magoo sings a lot, and if one of the budgies were to learn to speak, I think it might be him as he is the most responsive to verbal cues. He is tame, and if not so involved with the flock, would probably become very affectionate. Ok, Boo is also playful, Sutcliffe sings beautifully, Mary Ann is tame, but Magoo may be the whole package. But I am almost afraid to even say this, as I love the others so much too and I don't want to bring any bad luck down on any member of the flock!

Unkind But True: There are "Schizo" Birds out there

It makes me sad to say, but some budgies just haven't worked out. It is quite clear to our readers that both Lola and Mia are gone. I feel guilty and sad about that, but neither of them adjusted to the flock. Lola (pictured on the L, closest to the nestbox) was one of the first two budgies I have had, since she and Sutcliffe were purchased from the "Budgie bin" at a PetSmart at the same time, almost three years ago. She was very young, or at least, very small, and her wings had been severly clipped. Sutcliffe also had been severly clipped, but he was a bit larger, and a bit less crippled by it than Lola. Perhaps this was why she was always nervous and skittish. Sutcliffe gradually learned to eat millett seed while I was holding it, but Lola never learned to ever be comfortable with "the hand". She was pretty much untrainable. Mary ann was mean to her. Mia (pictured to the R) was also exceedingly skittish. She was so terrified of a hand in the cage that she would flap with crazy vigor to the point where she would fall off the perch. She was so terrified, she was at risk of hurting herself whenever a hand came near her.

Are some birds virtually unable to become comfortable around humans? If we were not around, would Lola and Mia found a good role in the flock? Or were they just too damn crazy to every be a happy or a part of things, due perhaps to inbreeding? I hope they are both very happy as "only birds" wherever they may now be. I know that Lola was adopted by a very loving family via Craig's list. I don't know what has happened to Mia--I'm afraid to ask the Ringo adopters, as they really didn't want to keep her but we couldn't take five budgies in our rental apartment. I really wish that both of them have happy lives. I wonder if this is the kind of thing that is not uncommon ("Schizo" budgies?). Since we have had two, it seems possible. Notably, both of them were from "Budgie bins".

Downsizing

In this economy, most of us have had to cut back in some way or another, some of us, in significant ways.  This is also true for the budgies.  As you can see, their large palace is gone, and the smaller cage is back.  Why?  We have to move, our landlords won't extend our lease to month to month, (so evil!) while we shop for a house to buy, so, we have to prepare for K to move to corporate housing and J has a job in another state.  Where does this leave the budgies? It's not clear; but K is going to try to bring them to corporate housing with her.  If they won't allow four then, she'll bring two to work and try to have two stay at corporate housing.  In the meantime, it is pretty clear we can't move the whole palace to corporate housing, so, its time to downsize and get rid of the larger birdcage in preparation for the next steps.  The budgies seem perfectly happy, actually, in the smaller cage.  They really mostly used the upper half of the large cage, anyway, so it was probably more space then they needed.   They aren't fighting any more than before, and they seem able to maintain their 1 and 1/2 budgie length distance or greater from each other, which seems to be important.  They are happily eating, including greens.  The only major loss is that their favorite toy doesn't really fit in the cage anymore.  Still, it seems a bit sad to me that they have had to downsize.  Perhaps I am projecting my own sadness at the inconvenience of having to move and my concerns and fears regarding how it is all going to work out during this period for the budgies, and for us.

Budging a Budgerigar

Budgies don't like new things, or at least, while they are still "new".  In early days, I would often introduce greens, or strawberries, or a new toy, and the budgies would ignore, or more likely, avoid then new item.  I would conclude they didn't like it and remove it.  Now I realize that it can take days, weeks, or even months for budgies to warm up to something novel.  Once they do, though, they can go wild with their enjoyment.  Budgies are step functions, when it comes to acceptance of something.  For example, I had to put strawberries in the cage for several days (after a day in the cage, they would be replaced with new ones) until the budgies would nibble on them.  Now, they will often simply devour them (and make a bit of a mess flinging them, as well).  Ditto with various types of greens, and treats.  Magoo is by far the most adventurous, followed by Sutcliffe.  This may be another "flock leader" behavior of males.  If you have budgies, I recommend being patient in introducing new foods.  Put the food in every day, and remove it when it wilts/gets old, and just do it regularly.  It could take a week, or more, but the budgies will try it eventually and if it is greens or strawberries, probably like it.  And if it is a toy, they will enjoy banging on it, when they don't get their way, after a few months. At least, this latter was true for Mary ann.

Magoo Update

Magoo is a very wonderful bird.  He is energetic, playful, and very brave, sometimes even foolhardy.  He has always been like this--after all, his first flight ended in near disaster as many of our gentle readers well recall!  He has no fear of wandering outside of the cage, he is perfectly happy flying back to the cage from a finger--even if he lands on the floor, he will climb right up the cage from any angle and get right back in.  He has found his role in the flock, and he is no longer courting Mary ann nor challenging Sutcliffe, but he is by no means subdued.  He is tame but "bratty", he likes being the "decider" about what he is going to do, and finger sitting isn't always on his agenda!  He was the first to play with the bell toy, while the others observed the toy with distrust for several more days.  How much of this is his being young? How much is just testosterone? How much is Magoo's special unique personality independent of these other factors (I am convinced that personality diversity is just one more genetic trait that promotes survival of the flock).  While it was stressful and not easy to organize, it really is nice to have Magoo in the flock, as he is clearly very happy and integrated well.

Singers and Song Preferences

A person I once knew said to me that bird songs are not actually expressions of joy, but expressions of stress (he was really sort of a negative person anyway, in retrospect).  I told him that I didn't think that could be true, because the bird's glee is so clear in their songs.  I now also realize that when stressed out (by having the cage cleaned, or when Nikko the cat was nearby during the budgies trip through KY), the budgies are very, very quiet.   However, in addition to being complex beings when it comes to food or perch choices, as noted in the prior post, budgie vocalization choices are also more complex than simply expressing either "joy" (or stress).   Budgies have at least the following repertoire of song types:

• Singing for singing's sake ("Grooming song"):  This consists of rather long, varied songs, usually executed by the males (Sutcliffe or Magoo) or less often, Boo, and least often, if ever, by Mary ann.  When one of the birds is singing in this way, the three other birds tend to groom.
• Chirping to mate/flock: This vocalization is a loud "chHHIIIRRRPPP! chhuuuirrPPPPP" which is executed when any gender of budgie is separated from the cage/flock.  When Sutcliffe or Mary ann are the isolated budgie and one of them makes this sound, their mate replies in kind.  However, this reply may or may not happen if one of the other budgies is in the isolated circumstance (brought away from the cage and into a different room).  The non-mated budgies are also less likely to make this noise when in isolation.
• Singing after trying new food: This is largely Sutcliffe's realm.
• Singing along to the radio or when one of us is on the phone: All participate.  the favorite songs are Toby Keith songs.  They seem to like K's calls to Oma.
• Greeting the day and the night: Budgies (all) sing with vigor, varied songs, all at once, first thing in the morning and when the sun goes down (or the lights in the house are dimmed as we all wind down).  It is a joyous sound!

Rethinking Budgie Priorities

As noted in the prior posting, as well as elsewhere, we had previously defined budgie priorities as: the flock, the highest perch, and millet seed.  I think we need to reconsider these--discussion is open if any of our fine readers are willing to weigh in.  A few issues:

The flock:  It remains clear to us that the flock remains very important.  Being close (but not too close) is the budgie goal regarding other budgies.  However, it is clear that Sutcliffe really just wants to be near Mary ann.  Therefore, the flock is not homogenous in it's appeal.

The highest perch: The budgies seem to use most of the perches in the cage, and the lowest perch does not equate with low on the social totem pole per se.  Budgies do have a fear of what is overhead and strongly dislike having activities (such as human hands) over their heads, but, sometimes seem to like to hang out on the lower rungs.    The perch preference does not seem s simple as once thought (on this blog).

Millet seed: it is true that treats, including millet seed, are highly motivating.  As a metaphor for treats, millet seed remains.  But I think that other treats, especially, very fresh grasses with new seeds, certain types of greens, and strawberries rank highly.  And, budgies have preferences.  Some prefer greens, others, strawberries.

Not mentioned as a true passion of budgies in this list of three is showers.  Other posts have commented on budgie bathing, and perhaps it deserves to be listed along with these other budgie favorite things.

Prepare to Be Surrounded by a Large Flock of Budgies!

I must say I am one suddenly of the biggest fans of the Atlanta Zoo, and certainly the biggest fan who has never been there.

MG sent me this news item, about a planned budgie aviary at the Atlanta Zoo, and I think that the concept is brilliant!

This links two of the listed three favorites things of budgies together in a zoo exhibit: those three favorites being: The Flock, Millet Seed, and the highest Perch. However, I am changing my mind re: the importance of the third item (more on that to follow in future posts).

This aviary will allow people to go in and hold out a seed stick. The budgies will be free to land on people and eat the seed sticks. The budgies will be free to fly around and do what they want generally, as the cage will be completely open.

I really love this idea and think that whoever thought of this really understands budgies, and how to get some of the things that are truly wonderful about budgies included in the zoo exhibit! I just wish I could be a part of the planning, execution, and scientific observation teams doing this great project. I will have to settle for being a mere zoo visitor..which isn't a bad option at all either considering how fun this aviary will be!

(note: above image was downloaded from Parrots in the Land of Oz website, this site and PBS special are highly recommended!)

What if Oedipus Rex Had a Happy Ending?

For the first several weeks of Magoo's arrival, he was getting quite aggressive with his dad Sutcliffe, and rather romantic with his mother.  By romantic, I mean doing the head bobbing, stretching, feeding, and insisting on being next to Mary Ann all the time (and squeezing Sutcliffe out).  Typically, Sutcliffe would just move to the other side of Mary Ann, find another perch, or generally ignore Magoo.  If Sutcliffe was eating, or grooming, Magoo would hop over and try to disrupt him.  Was Sutcliffe being replaced by his own son?  Was Magoo to bring the shame of Oedipus upon our lovely budgie family?

Sutcliffe finally had enough.  He was not overly aggressive, but he used well timed (and perhaps well placed?) pecks to limit Magoo's romantic overtures and also, twice, knocked Magoo right off the perch.  Magoo had to humbly climb back up to the perches.  There are low perches, but the budgies normally reside in the top 1/3 of the cage, so it was a rather long way up.  It seems that Magoo had time to think his actions through during his climb, because after those two firm warnings from Sutcliffe, Magoo has simply become a regular member of the family.  Everyonein the flock participates in the ordinary occasional challenge to a perch spot, or feeds one or another member of the flock, but the overt courting of the mother and aggression towards the father has stopped.

The "Beak Hang" Sleep Position

Gentle readers: first, an apology for the long hiatus in posting.  K has been studying for an exam, which has occupied much of her spare time.  That is at last, over...at least for now, depending on results.  It is said that regular postings are the key to maintaining readership, in which case, the Budgie Blog may have lost the few loyal fans it had...but we hope not!

Now on to the budgie discussion: 

The budgies have a very interesting behavior at night, and one which we have only observed in the large cage.  They  climb up the sides of the cage at night, and hook their beaks onto one of the topmost rungs.  They then grab other rungs with their feet, usually, one foot higher, the other the lower.  Often it is the right foot that is higher, but I have not made a regular observation to see what might influence that aspect of the sleeping posture.

When I first saw this new sleeping posture in the large cage, back when the large cage was first being used, I thought it was a sign of psychological stress, as stressed out monkeys have been reported to sleep in awkward, uncomfortable positions (see the "Wire Mother" experiments).  

However, it does not appear that this is stressful to the budgies; they all do it routinely every evening, and it seems to be normal and restful for them.  It is interesting to me that this is only seen in the larger cage.  In the smaller cages, the budgies always sleep on their perches.

More Budgies on Cute Overload!

Budgies are so darned cute that it is hard to believe that they aren't featured just all the time!  However, I am happy whenever budgies are appreciated for being as adorable as they are.  They were still labeled "parakeets" but, I mustn't quibble.

see Today's cute overload (just ignore the kitten pictures).

Magoo Has Returned

Magoo has been unadopted as a Ringo by the adoptive family.  Our lease only allows for two birds, but we have now snuck in not only Boo (from the beginning) but now, Magoo. J. fetched Magoo in the ice and snow in Maryland and drove with him for two days from MD to TX.  He did very well in his little carrier, other than when once he got a bit cold going from the car to the motel.  Unfortunately J wasn't comfortable taking him right through the lobby, so he ended up staying in a less then pleasant, in fact, rather old holiday inn.  They both survived.  Upon arrival Magoo was placed in the very large cage  with his dad.  They did great!  Magoo did everything that a budgie does in a very short time.  He ate, he hopped and drank from the water bottle, he chewed on a stick, he rubbed his head on a stick...ahhh.  He was  a very happy budgie.  When Mary ann was added, he did ok (a day later).  Yet, the third day, Boo was added.  Magoo got really stressed.  He was shaking rapidly, with quivering wings, at high frequency, low amplitude.  Poor Magoo!  We removed Boo, and Magoo did well.  After  another day, we re-added Boo and all did well.  At this point, the pecking order seems to be Mary ann at the top (as always), then Boo=Magoo, and at the bottom, it appears, is Sutcliffe.  Though really, Boo is mean to everyone, but Mary ann trumps her.  Magoo is only mean to Boo and Sutcliffe.  And Mary Ann is generally mean, but she tolerates Sutcliffe the most.  So it is a bit circular.  So the cliche that applies may not be "pecking order" but "round robin".

Lettuce Spray

The budgies really enjoy their showers.  The get sprayed with a regular spray bottle filled with water (with the the words written on it in marker "Water Only" to prevent anything such as, heaven forbid, a cleaning solution being put into this bottle).  For their showers, they are placed on top of the cage, and lately we have been giving them lettuce on top of the cage at that time.  The budgies like hopping in and out of the spray, and when the lettuce is there, they like to do belly flops onto the wet lettuce, getting their tummies wet.  They also like nibbling the wet lettuce.  When they are totally damp, they'll walk out of the spray and we know shower time is over.  Extensive grooming takes place thereafter, lasting as long as an hour as they seem to take each long feather (from wings and tail) into their beaks and pull and stroke it through their beak many times, leading to smooth, shiny, clean feathers.  They also fluff the smaller feathers on the body up many times.  It's very cute.

(thanks to M. for the title "Lettuce Spray").

A Bird's Gotta Chew what a Bird's Gotta Chew

While out of focus, this photo should nonetheless display the result of gnawing by budgies.  We put clothespins in the cage to hold treats and greens.  The budgies like standing on them, and chewing them.  They also like chewing cherry and maple sticks which we use as natural perches.  While many budgies love chewing cuttle bones, ours never have done that with much enthusiasm.  Perhaps that is because they eat "Egg-cite" (we are not making this up), as seed and pellet mix which has calcium in it.

It is clear that the female budgies do a lot more chewing and gnawing then the males, or a least with an F, N=2 and M, N=1. I wonder if this is related to their nesting instincts?  They have whittled any number of perches down to, literally, nothing.  It is clear that budgies would quickly destroy a wooden cage.

The Ringos

The Ringos new family have decided they don't want them anymore. You may recall how Magoo, and Mia, were adopted by a family. It seemed at first that the family was very happy and appreciated them both. Well, a recent phone call indicated, not so fast, Ringos. Apparently the new family wants to give them back! It is a logistical puzzle to figure out how to get them back here. I would also be happy to let one or both of them be adopted to a new "forever home". The current plan is to either give Magoo to a friend in Maryland, or, fly up there to bring him back on the airplane. We'll sell Mia on Craig's list or give her to the shelter. These latter two plans are not minor logistically, since we are in Texas and the budgies are in Maryland. I must admit it is stressful. Others have offered to take the birds temporarily, but, that will only temporize the situation. An adoption has to be a forever home, I can't go through having to find them yet another home in six months time, again.

Happy Boo-Year to All!

Sutcliffe, the Wonderful Dinosaur Dad!

More evidence that budgies are tiny dinosaurs.  Furthermore, birds and dinosaurs are better dad's than most mammals.

From "Science" Magazine's 2008 Scientific Highlights:

Dutiful Dinosaur Dads

In more than 90% of living bird species, males play a role in the parental care of their offspring.  By comparison, males contribute to parental care in fewer than 5% of mammalian species...Varicchio et al present compelling evidence that in three species of dinosouars...males were the individuals responsible for caring for eggs and young.

Finger Training

Finger training it touted as an important part of budgie taming, and we agree.  However, like any kind of training, the less we handle the budgies, the less "into" the finger sitting they become.  Furthermore, the less we clip their feathers, the less patient they are with sitting on our fingers before flying off and back to the cage.  Mary ann is by far the most tame and docile, followed by Boo, and then Sutcliffe.  When Boo is not acting tame, we use our fingers as ladders and she likes to walk up them.  I think that sitting on a finger and finger-ladder walking are simply tapping into budgie instincts.

I have been trying to find the internet link to a talking budgie whose favorite word was "no".  I think that generally, budgies don't really like being handled, and "no" is what these budgies would say if they could. We definitely enjoy holding the budgies more than they seem to like being held.  They seem to simply tolerate it in a "oh brother, if you MUST" kind of way.

Sutcliffe-Continued Discussion

Dear all; while I know you can read the comments, I wanted to highlight this one posted today re: Sutcliffe's feeding behavior:

nacly dog said...

this is acting as the flock leader.  He checks out possibly tainted food, takes the first risk then guards the rest from possible predators.  this behavior is consistent with dimporhism and a social hierarchy.  I've seen flocks of geese show the same behavior.  Sutcliffe would be a good leader for a small feral flock".

This is fascinating.  I don't know much about geese, but remember their social structure being discussed in the book about King Arthur, "The Sword and the Stone" which I read as a young person.  King Arthur spent time with many animals and learned their social behavior.  The geese were very important to teaching King Arthur how to lead compassionately.

I am so proud of Sutcliffe!  He came from a budgie bin, where he really had no upbringing or opportunity at all, and he has become tame, socialized,  the pater familias who saved the life of his beloved child (Magoo), and a true flock leader.  

Thanks naclydog for these insights!

Brave and Selfless Leader or Hen-Pecked Wimp? OR???

Here is a description of a typical behavior of Sutcliffe at feeding time.  I am interested in your interpretation of this;

When a treat or the AM food is placed in the cage, the females do not approach it right away.  Sutcliffe goes first and eats some of the treat.  Soon thereafter, one of the females (Boo or Mary ann, but usually, Mary ann) will come over to where he is, and he'll leave and go to the next feeding spot.  Then Boo will go to that spot, and Sutcliffe will leave.  There is usually a third spot to eat, but Sutcliffe does not go there. Rather, he sits elsewhere and sings and chirps while the other two eat.  Later, when they are finished, he will go and eat some of the treats at any of the three places.

Hypotheses:

Is he being a wimp, chased away from getting a treat by his wife and then his daughter, although he is brave and tame enough, or foolhardy enough, to go first?  

Or is he checking the food for safety, then advertising "good food here" to the flock by singing, while the females feed, being brave, caring, and paternal towards his flock.

Or maybe, there is another idea which we haven't thought about yet?

And finally, what would be good experiments to test this hypotheses?

What do you think?

The Pineal Gland, Budgie Circadian Rhythms, and Other Thoughts

On the post about the Budgies Professionalism, a comment was left:

From Nacly Dog...."Maybe they're taking a vacation.   Can budgies change a circadian rhythm set point?"

This is a very interesting idea!

It definitely was a bit dark on the day when the budgies were quiet (due to thunderstorms).  I wonder if the budgies are particularly sensitive to light and dark?  Birds have a particular connection to the pineal gland.  

The pineal gland affects circadian rhythms in almost all animals.  In birds, it not only affects sleep (it makes melatonin) but also is thought to help with magnetic determination of flying directions.  Because of its role in detecting dark and light in some animals, it is sometimes called the "third eye".  Perhaps the pineal gland is important in budgie professionalism, and budgie vacations.  Apparently bird sleep-wake cycles can be set not only with light, but also with the sounds of bird songs.  There clearly is an interaction to explore between dark/light/sleep/wake in birds.  And perhaps we are more dependent on these cycles then our modern societal pressures may allow us to admit.  And denying them may not be good for us.  Next time is is rainy, I may just give in and sleep late.

Budgie Professionalism (or Lack Thereof)

All animals have a job to do, and do it with pride.  For example, the parental cat (Nikko) patrols his turf daily.   He also must bring back any creatures caught, to share with his human pride.

Budgies have a very important job; greeting the day.  Every morning, it is their job to sing and chirp and greet the morning.  Also it is their job to be active and prepare for nightfall.

This morning, we had to awaken without the budgies.  No songs, nothing.  It was quite rainy, and the budgies just didn't bother getting up to greet the day.  We had to walk downstairs and talk to them to even get any chirps.

Professionalism?  These budgies are slipping!

In an earlier posted comment, C stated:

"The budgies may enjoy "Manzanilla" which is what Spanish-speakers around here call chamomile".  He went on to state "Mantazilla" sounds like a giant manta ray that emerges from the deep to ally with Godzilla against Mothra."

A picture of the budgies vs. the monster "Manzanilla" is shown here (courtesy of C).  Because budgies are really dinosaurs, it will be an impressive, B movie-worthy battle.

K wondered if she had misread the label on the herb bought at the Walmart in Sealy.  The best way to check on this is to Google it (not check the label).  A quick google search revealed:

from a site about the history of chamomile  "In spain it has been known for centuries at Mantazillla or "little apple".  It goes on to state that "this is also the name of a type of sherry which has a similar flavor."

But what about Manzanilla?

Wikipedia states that: Manzanilla is a variety of fino sherry...In Spanish, chamomile tea is called "manzanilla"...

So what is the answer to this confusing quandary?  Are there two ways of talking about chamomile in Spanish?  Is one a mutation of the other?  Is one more "correct"? and who will win in the battle of the Mantazilla monster and the ancient feathered dinosaur budgies?

See the Sequel, "son of budgies" to find out!