Category Archives: Birdie Fun

Courage in My Cupped Hand

May 9, 2018 theparakeetperch 5 Comments

After several failed attempts, I finally got Mango to enjoy getting under the running water faucet in the kitchen today! The trick was to gently let the water run into my cupped hand so that he could drink it and then eventually walk underneath the stream of water from my arm, when he felt ready. After that, it was full-on birdie bath time!

As you can see from the picture, he got himself really wet, and I was thrilled to be able to get his very first “wet birdie” picture. For those of you who don’t know, those are classics and the world of parrot ownership!

If you have a bird and you are having difficulties getting it to enjoy baths, try different approaches. Some birds will see a dish of water and jump right in. Others prefer a more creative approach, such as being offered a wet piece of a green, like kale, which they can roll around on. This also usually makes for healthy snacking for the bird! Using a spray bottle containing fresh water and misting your feathered friend is also an option. Ensure that your water is room temperature, and never spray your bird in the eye. Our cockatiel loves this approach, and it’s fun to watch him spread his wings and walk around as he is being spritzed.

Birdie Fun, Blog

Snack Time

February 26, 2016 theparakeetperch 1 Comment

I was recently contacted about doing a post on budgie snacks. What a perfect request, considering I just got two new snack items to try with my birds! Now, let me just back up a moment and say that the best snacks I would suggest for birds are birdie safe fruits and vegetables. These can be fun for your bird to explore and also offer great supplementary nutrition. Keep in mind that birds can be very finicky, so if they don’t seem to go for one option, try another (offer a new item, offer the same item in a different way, offer the item over a longer period of time, etc.). Following is a list of some acceptable fruits and veggies. You can also check out my posts on some fun ways to offer fruits/veggies here.

apples (minus the seeds and stem)
bananas (minus the peel)
blackberries
blueberries
grapes
kiwis
mandarin oranges
mango
plums
corn
bell peppers
cucumbers

Beyond fruits and veggies, my next suggestion for a fun birdie snack is Lafeber’s Nutri-Berries. These little round balls of birdie fun are great because they include pellets along with fun seeds and grains. Here is what they look like:

Finally, for some fun and added nutrition, you can try either of these items by Higgins. The egg food offers an additional source of protein, so I am using that to help prepare my female for breeding. And the greens…oh they smell so good! You can get these items on the internet as well as at some pet stores and bird shows.

So what are you waiting for? Create some more excitement around your bird’s snacktime by offering a variety of items and even something new from time to time. You never know when your bird will find a new favorite.

Birdie Fun, Blog

Berry Christmas

December 23, 2015 theparakeetperch Leave a comment

This week we are bringing you another great budgie holiday enrichment idea. How about edible presents!!! Just go to your local hobby store or craft/wedding section of most discount retailers and get some plain boxes. No dyes, no embellishments…just plain. Don’t worry, you get to fun them up in just a minute.

Next, get some jute string or other means to tie presents which is safe (undyed/untreated) for budgies (raffia and sisal also work nicely).

Once you construct the boxes, place a fun treat inside (millet works well, as can Nutri-Berries) and wrap the presents in plain paper, black and white newspaper, or even kale! You can then tie them up and present them to your bird(s) for some edible Christmas fun!

EXTRA TIP: If you budgie doesn’t want to get inside the boxes, you can punch holes in the side before wrapping them to help your bird smell and see the treat inside! You can also present these boxes plain, without wrapping them, to make it easier for your bird to get inside!

Birdie Fun, Blog

Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

December 2, 2015 theparakeetperch Leave a comment

We are so excited here at the perch because the holiday season is in full swing. In an effort to include the birds in all the festivities, and to get you guys excited about celebrating the holidays with your birds, we are going to share some holiday themed enrichment ideas over the next few weeks!

This first one is both simple and fun. Remember those cute little folded snowflakes you made around this time of year in elementary school? Let’s bring those back…this time for your birds! If you don’t remember how to make them, stay tuned for some instructions. Then it’s up to you to let your imagination soar from there.

Materials Needed:

White paper (do not used colored paper, as dyes can be bad for your birds)

Scissors

Let it Snow:

Cut the paper into squares roughly matching the size of snowflakes you want. I used 8.5 x 11 inch computer paper, folding down 2.5 inches from the top and cutting the extra section off so that I could get perfect squares! These can be folded again, for smaller squares.

Next, I folded the squares in a series of triangles. Here are all the steps:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

After you have your small triangular shape, cut the excess top off (so that it’s straight along the top and includes all layers of paper). Then trim to create a pattern of your choice and unfold carefully.

The possibilities are endless, so let your imagination flow! You can also click here for some easy instructions and patterns you can print out and just cut (how easy it that). The patterns with holes near the top are best, since you will then be able to hang the snowflakes in your bird’s cage! Speaking of hanging, some things you can use to secure the snowflakes include carabiner clips and screw links.

If you have some toys around that aren’t being used, you can take the hangers from them temporarily to save time and money. You could also hang the snowflakes on toys, prop them up in the cage (I just don’t recommend putting them on the cage floor, as they’ll get pooped on), or attach them to perches. Again, let your imagination be your guide.

Depending on your budgie(s), you might be able to put your decorations right in the cage and allow them to be enjoyed, or you may have to put the snowflakes near the cage a few days to let your bird(s) get used to them. If your bird seems frightened or won’t go near the decorations, definitely try option #2!

We hope you enjoy adding some holiday cheer to your bird’s environment this season. If you do try this project, please share your pictures on our Facebook page in response to this post…we can’t wait to see what you come up with !!!