|
|
Post by santinoandmondo on Jan 3, 2014 16:58:23 GMT
We noticed that Santino's face is "pinker" than it was when she wasn't laying eggs/breeding mode. Has anyone noticed this in their lighter colored birds? The first photo was taken in June, a short time after the birds joined our family. The second photo was taken this morning. Now that Mondo and Santino have been reunited, they have been chortling and "kissing" again. Is "kissing" done between hens as a form of play? Santino, the hen who has laid eggs twice, tends to initiate it more. One hen squawks more than the other. Does squawking necessarily be a bird complaining or it's just something she has in her vocabulary? Is it in invitation? Not sure. I don't remember my male budgie being so vocal. He would sing with music and repeat words but I don't recall him squawking. My niece had two very quiet females. Ours are the complete opposite so my sister's family is always in shock when they are caring for our budgies if we are away. lol. Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by lisamarie on Jan 3, 2014 17:22:57 GMT
Think pink is most likely from a toy, or from food, or a mineral block.
The "kissing" is a normal sign of affection, i believe even so in same gender budgies.
The "screaming" is a thing mostly only females do. It's occasionally part of their singing. Now that i think of it, Bonnie has a scream associated with her singing and also a scream associated with annoyance - there is a difference between the two!
|
|
|
|
Post by santinoandmondo on Jan 3, 2014 18:38:52 GMT
Lisamarie, you're right! I added a mineral block a couple of months ago to help with the eggs and it is the same color. I've never seen her rub her face against it but she must. There isn't anything else that color. I'm relieved  . The kids were wondering if she had a dietary deficiency. |
|
|
|
Post by lisamarie on Jan 3, 2014 18:51:31 GMT
You'll see that a lot around this forum. Lot of people post pics and then say "face is messy from eating _____" So it does happen to almost every bird!
|
|
|
|
Post by Pammy on Jan 4, 2014 5:08:27 GMT
A pleasant side affect is that the pink is darling.  Yep, the kissing is a sign of affection between two budgies of any gender combination. One is likely regurgitating undigested food from her crop to the other as a token of close friendship. It's normal and natural. I have two male budgies who sing beautifully and exuberantly. I have had my two females for just over a week, and thus far, they are stone silent. They are happy, though, and play with the toys way more than my boys play with the toys. They are lively and active and healthy-looking. They just don't utter a peep - yet. |
|
|
|
Post by santinoandmondo on Jan 4, 2014 19:11:49 GMT
haha, the pink face is kind of cute, isn't it? I guess we'll keep the fruity mineral block just so she can have a little blush on her cheeks . We have covered up the adjoining cage that had the nest and eggs. Santino does not seem to be missing them nor has she shown any symptoms of laying eggs again. Thank goodness. I've been covering their cage up longer at night too, 12-14 hours. It seems to be helping them get out of their breeding condition - at least they are being more civil to each other! I've ordered the pellet (Crumbles) food as well. Still trying the grated carrot and snipped parsley on a small plate. No obvious eating yet. Thanks so much to everyone for the advice. Our females are fairly noisy little things, singing and squawking, and don't care much for toys. We do have lots of toys and move things in/out regularly. I think their singing contributed to the former owner thinking that they were males. They do enjoy the swings though and love to climb and flip upside down while getting sprayed by a water bottle. It's too cold now to do that but will try to remember to get a video of them "showering" when it's warmer. |
|
. The kids were wondering if she had a dietary deficiency.
