April
Budgerigar
Acquired: Pet store
Gender: Female
My Budgie
I initially purchased April, a bright yellow budgie, along with a blue and white male. Unfortunately the male fell ill and April's natural instinct kicked in, and she attacked the male and kept it from eating.
Eventually the male passed (we believe we purchased him ill, but didn't know until a few weeks later when he appeared sluggish and wasn't eating).
However, April flourished. She was able to distinguish between myself and my sister, played hide and seek, and often ate from our dishes at dinner. All of this was without regular training. She learned a few simple words, like "Pretty Bird" and mimicked outdoor songbirds, as well as the telephone, smoke alarm, and a few other indoor electronics.
Her cage required cleaning about one to two times a week, depending on how much she was out of her cage. Simple, standard bird feed, along with a few treats, and she was happy.
She did clean herself, though we would provide a bird bath for her when she was out of her cage. The smell was kept to a minimum by regular maintenance of her cage.
The one downside was having to constantly sweep the floor around the cage as she would fling her seeds over the edge. Otherwise, things like noise were not a concern, although there would be a couple of times she would screech for no apparent reason, other than to get our attention.
