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Is it a bad idea to get a budgie to keep my tiel company? I just don't have room for another tiel cage in my apartment, but I really want to get Boomer a buddy. I would keep them in seperate cages, but it would be nice if they could socialize outside their cages. I've watched lots of videos on YouTube of tiels and budgies and they seem to get along. Any advice?

Boomer stayed with my friends who have macaws and budgies last week and he was thrilled to have birdie buddies. He wasn't even afraid of the macaws! He appeared startled when we held one of the big macaws up to his cage, but he quickly greeted her, "Hi baby!" and started making kissy sounds. The macaw was equally friendly and kept saying, "Hello! Hi!" right back. It was adorable!

They may get along but its a possibly a possibilitie that they will fight and a budgie will be active and may annoy a cockatiel because tiels are more layed back. Also budgies eat alot of millet in their diet and that will make a tiel fat and alot of millet is bad for tiels, I have five tiels and 4 babies and have never had budgies but I wouldn't keep them in the same cage as tiels are bigger and may beat up on the budgie or it maybe the oppisit!! Well I hope I helped and I suggest to keep in seperate cages they maybe fine if in a bigger cage. Melissa & 9 tiels

Anytime you put two birds together, you run the risk that they won't get along or they might try to hurt each other.......but then there are many times when birds of different species get along just fine.....it's the chance that you take.....so pick out that budgie carefully! lol I think that tiels are usually less accepting of other birds unless they are other tiels.....in that case, they are probably alot more accepting. Tiels are just different.......they have a sweet gentle way about them and very laid back, so when they see another bird who's more active or hyper or loud, I think it scares them a bit. My lovebird would probably love just about any other bird I brought into the house......he's very social and loves other birds, even dogs! and not picky at all about who his company is......tiels I think are picky.....picky eaters, and picky about their company! I see so many stories though where budgies and tiels get along just fine, and other different species that bond with each other......there is a lovebird and cockatiel who are bonded pair in a pet store nearby me......what are the chances of that??? probably not very good! but it does happen, and if you want to take the chance......then go for it! worst that will happen is they won't be friends and then maybe in time they will......as long as you want to work it out no matter what the outcome.

Well, we only have one week and a day of experience with our new tiel, Raisin, and the little budgie which remains unnamed, but I thought I would add my two cents! Raisin is a complete little lovebug and practically leaps out of the cage at us when we go to get her out. Ofcourse she was handfed and completely tamed and familiar with us before we brought her home. Sooooo sweet! The budgie is still adjusting. We got the budgie too so that when we are out we could have them in separate cages in the same room side by side and it would be some company for each other. They did come from the same store at the same time. We are all in an adjustment period, so things are changing daily.

We have been getting them out to play together. At first Raisin showed very little interest in the budgie and even hissed once or twice at him if they were near the same food source. The budgie just tended to remain still around her and just generally a little fearful of us and everything going on. But, he was letting us hold him and the biting was becoming less. Well, the last couple of days have seen Raisin being much more tolerant of the budgie. They have even shared a spray of millet together and she has chased his tail until they have been going round in circles! Ofcourse they stopped before I could catch it on camera. This morning my daughter sent me a video of them eating the fresh pasta and veg that I've been making for them together from the same plate. YAY! Two bonuses: eating fresh food and sharing!!!!

When we get them out to play, we put them on a towel with some toys and treats on the bed (we have yet to buy a play stand) and the only problem we see now is that budgie has started to follow Raisin around and seems to be focusing on her and trying to get close to her. She ignores him and waddles around on her merry little way to "It's all about me Raisin-land", and also continues to focus on us. Now it seems that the budgie is reverting a little and is acting more fearful of us and biting more with a freshly sharpened beak from his concrete perch! ouch!. So, although we love getting them out to play, we think we might need some one on one time with just him away from Raisin and his cage, so that we can bond with him more and tame him. Ultimately, we want to be one happy flock all together! So, I hope it works. I told my girls that we are going to really have to persevere with him especially this week before school starts back up again and everyone has less time. I feel that it will be time worth spent if we have a nice tamed budgie and Raisin has a feathered friend. All in all we are glad to have the budgie and I think that no matter what they will be company for each other in their separate cages while we are out.

Sounds like things are working out great! Sharing food together is a good sign! Sounds like they are trying to be friends and could end up being good buddies in time!

I have a budgie and a tiel. My tiel is 3 yrs old and my budgie is 7 years old. the budgie is not as tame as the tiel. She comes to the open door to talk to you and give kisses, but is incredibly scared of coming out of her cage. She actually went through a remarkable transition about 2 years ago. She use to be my sisters bird, but my sister never spent enough time with her to properly train her. She is finger trained, but tend to just bite. For some reason 2 years ago she started coming out of her cage on her own and hanging out on top. We tried to take it a step further, by putting her on our shoulder, but she seemed absolutely terrified and felt bad. I let her out on occassion. I've tried introducing the tiel and the budgie and its actually pretty funny because George the tiel is terrified of L'il Bird the budgie! So it hasn't worked at all yet.

Well I'm on the topic, does anyone have any advice for getting L'il Bird more comfortable with coming out? Should we just let her be or try taking her out?

rrcool wrote:... does anyone have any advice for getting L'il Bird more comfortable with coming out? Should we just let her be or try taking her out?

First, I commend you for being willing to "just let her be". Too often we have expectations of our birds and push them to conform. I would make a practice of opening the budgie's door every day, when safely possible, and letting her get into the habit of coming out if she feels like it. Maybe put something on top of her cage that might entice her, like a spray of millet or a wet, crisp dandelion leaf. Talk with her if that doesn't scare her, but otherwise focus on letting her be as comfortable as she possibly can be. Since she's long been willing to give you kisses, I think her reluctance to leave her cage is more habit than mistrust of you. Let her go slowly and build confidence that being away from her safety zone is still secure.

Not surprising that your 'tiel is scared of the budgie. Budgies are normally much more aggressive than 'tiels, especially the females, and can do great harm when the 'tiel has no quick escape route. Your 'tiel is smart!

L'il Bird has moved to the point of being comfortable on top of her cage. She'll come out on her own and play around a bit, but that is about it. She is finger trained, but turns my hands into hamburger meat if I get her on my hand. When I first get her out of her cage, she will start bitting and litterally will not stop - she grinds and grinds my skin. If she happens to fly off and I go to get her she will climb up on my hand no problem and will not bite. Any advice on how to get her not bitting my hand when I first take her out?

I don't want to force it if its not good for her, but I do think she is a bit lonely and once she was use to coming out and exploring a bit I think she would be a happier bird. But maybe I am wrong. What do others think?

I just read this idea in the macaw forum: "I would suggest (cayenne) pepper powder mixed with water and spray on your hands and arms. She will not bite anymore and it is humane." Birds don't have as much saliva in their mouths or nearly as many taste buds on their tongues as humans, so the hot pepper spray won't feel nearly as burning to L'il Bird as it would to us, but it might be enough to discourage her obsessive biting. Just remember to simply hold her. Don't use your other hand to try to rub her until you're certain she's wanting that.

this maybe your budgie's way of testing a "safe' spot. Twillinger (my pudgie budgie) does that too. As much as it hurts, I ignore it. She has gradually stopped.

Well, it has been just over three weeks and our budgie is really getting tamer and today he hardly bit me at all. We get him out of the cage everyday to share a meal with Raisin and to play. But I believe he is getting better largely due to my daughter taking him out into another room (away from the cage) and just sitting with him in front of the TV or while she reads a book (and also doing this everyday). Since he will step up to our finger and stay there, she will just have him on her finger or arm until he calms down and then after about 20 to 30 minutes or so he will even let her scratch around his head and neck. As for the biting, she just kept saying "no" firmly and trying not to react or change what she was doing. This weekend, my girls are at their dad's place, so I have been the main caretaker. I brought budgie out and held him for about 30 minutes. He only tried to bite once (which is amazing since all he did before was bite, bite, bite) and I can see that he is much calmer and interested in me. Before, there was no eye contact and he was just a bundle of nerves. I was able to bring a finger from my other hand all the way up to his chest under his beak where he could clearly see me and just hold it near and he didn't try to bite. But when I tried to scratch/pet him, he moved away and would then take a bite! The cayenne pepper sounds like a good idea and I would try it if he kept on biting the way he was as it was most unpleasant!

Even though he is still new to his cage, he already finds great security in it, so that is why we find it better to take him away from the cage. I guess in some ways, we are not 'letting him be', but I feel that he has got to bond with us and not feel alone. He does have Raisin there in the other cage and they are company and chirp together, but he still needs someone to groom him and show physical affection I would think. They still eat nicely together and he doesn't really bother her so far. It is really quite cute and working out well.

catjsykes wrote:... I guess in some ways, we are not 'letting him be', but I feel that he has got to bond with us and not feel alone. ..

Very different situations Your little budgie is a baby in a new environment, while L'il Bird is long matured. We often take in mature birds from less than ideal situations -- birds who have every reason to distrust and dislike humans -- and sometimes we expect them to respond to our good intentions. My kudos for the willingness to let L'il Bird be came from appreciation that rrcool's not just assuming the bird can be tamed, that she might be happier left more alone. I'm very glad your baby is doing so well. Will he get a name soon?

Hello,

I have read that Budgies can be bullies, and are more aggressive than 'tiels, so keep a close eye on them. JimJim and Shirley are the best of friends!!!!!!!!! Go figure.....

Ralph, Twinkle('tiel), JimJim ('tiel) and Shirley (Dove)