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In Memory - Honey

Honey Aged 11 

31st May 2011

Our hearts got torn apart when she left us on the 31st May 2011.

 

Click here to read more. 

The Aviary Birds

I've introduced you to the birds who live inside the house, now its time to introduce you to the ones who live outside in an aviary. Sadly I can't introduce you to the canaries separately because there are too many and it's hard photographing them separately as some look the same and some don't even have names! 

The Aviary started up when we took on the care of a canary named Joe. He belonged to my grandad before he sadly passed away. My dad got into the idea of building an aviary and so he did! All by himself. 

A video tour of the Aviary can be found here: The Bird Aviary Tour - Youtube

Inside the garage we have a small sleeping area, where they can escape the to if the weather turns bad and of a night time to keep them safe. They are free to go in and out as they please. 

In winter we cover the front in bubble wrap to keep the warmth from the two small heaters at each end in.

Outside they have a large flight where they can stretch their wings and exercise however much they like.

Male Quail

Chinese Painted Quail

Also known as the Button Quail

Age Unknown

We have one, lonely male quail who unfortunately starved his two females to death as all he wanted was to mate all the time so we don't think its fair to get more females so he can do it all again. He doesn't have a name nor do I remember how old he is. Though he is quite happy living in the aviary he has plenty of space to roam. He recently hurt his leg and was in the house with cage rest for a couple of weeks until he was all better and he is now back out in the aviary. I doubt we will be getting anymore quails in the future, but you never know when it comes to the future.

Canaries

Ages Vary

Types/Colours Vary

We now have several canaries living in the aviary, some with names and some without. Some different and some who look the same. Theres not really much to tell you about them so feel free to ask any questions! The only way we can tell the genders of canaries is by the males singing. Male canaries sing and females just tweet. The main reason people buy male canaries is because of their beautiful song. In the summer the garden is full of songs from the canaries and the wild birds, its beautiful. We are lucky to be able to sit out there and enjoy it. 

Sunny

2Years Old

Budgie

I brought Sunny when my first budgie Milly passed away to keep her mate Charlie company. And because both boys weren't tame we thought they would enjoy life better if they were in the aviary with the canaries, so one day we put them out there and they loved it! Sadly Charlie is no longer with us. One day I was all excited and forgot to shut the outside door before opening the aviary door and then BAM, Charlie, his new partner Belle and Sunny all flew out the aviary, but they all had chicks. Sunny luckily came back to care for his chicks along with Violet his mate but Charlie and Belle never returned. They must of flown far in excitement and couldn't find their way back. I was devastated and then went on to hand rear all of the chicks.

Sunny is a lovely guy and can be cheeky when you are in the aviary. He likes to fly past you really fast so all you see is a yellow blur! He has been a great dad to the two clutches we have had from him. He really did miss Charlie when he had gone, but now he has lots of new friends! Well... they are his chicks but who cares! Company is company and he is enjoying his time with them all. 

Violet

1 1/2 Years Old

Budgie

Violet and her sister Belle (who is no longer with us) came to me from my aunt who breeds budgies. I was after two girls to keep my two males company so I went to pick up Violet and her sister. Violet too isn't tame which is fine because she is out in the aviary enjoying her time with the others. She is a proud mum to 10 chicks, between 2 clutches and a proud auntie to another 5 chicks (Belle's). When the above accident happened, Violet was left behind to care for her 5 chicks until Sunny returned and she done an excellent job.

I doubt I will be breeding from my budgies again for a few years yet. This is because I will need breeding cages and birds that aren't related to one another, unlike my flock. But that is ok, I want to keep my current birds happy and healthy before adding anymore to the aviary.

Harry

5 Months Old

Budgie

Harry is son to Charlie and Belle who I lost when he was only around 3 weeks old. Charlie hatched on the 26th March 2011 and looks so similar to his dad, which is why I love him as each time I look at him, brings back memories of his great dad. 2 of his sisters have now gone to a new home however along with himself, his brother and one of his sisters he joined the aviary when they reached around 2 months old. He is quite a large budgie, just like his dad was, I think he is cross between a show budgie and a pet budgie, but more on the 'pet' side. I called him Harry after our Royal Prince Harry because they are both rather handsome!

 

Flash

5 Months Old

Budgie

Flash is Sunny and Violet's first chick. He hatched on the 28th March 2011 as a little pink alien. He is similar to his dad, though they are very easy to tell apart. Flash got his name when he began to learn to fly, he used to fly past so quickly, one minute he was sitting on the cage the next he was darting around the room at a high speed. 

 

Lime

5 Months Old

Budgie

Lime is brother to Flash and is Sunny and Violet's 4th Chick. He hatched on the 31st March 2011. We named him Lime due to his colouring. When he was a baby he was a very cheeky chappy! But he has never really been 'tame'. He is loving life out in the aviary where he can fly and play all he wants. He tends to stick close by to Flash, you often see them chatting to one another.

 

Coconut 

5 Months Old

Budgie

Coconut is sister to Harry and daughter to Charlie and Belle who are no longer with us. Coconut was the 4th chick to hatch from Charlie and Belle's clutch. She hatched on the 30th March 2011. Her name came to us when we named Lime... Lime and the Coconut came into mind! And it stuck! She used to be tame and always fly to me to be fed, but because I was hand feeding so many, most of them lost their tameness as I couldn't possibly do one to one. So the aviary was the best place for them where they can be themselves and enjoy life in each others company. 

Elvis

5 Months Old

Budgie

Elvis is brother to Harry and Coconut. I call Coconut and Elvis twins as they look alike, the only difference is their gender and Coconut has slightly darker flight feathers. Elvis was the 5th and last chick from Charlie and Belle. He hatched on the 2nd April 2011. Because he was the youngest he always had a special place in my heart. When he was a baby he developed a croaky voice, we don't know why but it seems to have 'healed' and he is back to sounding like a normal budgie. 

We recently had a Sparrowhawk go after our aviary, luckily she couldn't get to the birds though she did panic them! Poor Elvis had a blood spot on his head (you can just about see it in the photo above) though all is fine! We don't know how he done it, probably done it by flying around the aviary in panic but it is fully healed and it doesn't seem to be causing him any problems.

PHOTO COMING SOON

Scarlett

2 Months Old

Budgie

Scarlett is Sunny and Violet's daughter from their 2nd clutch. She hatched on the 13th June 2011. I began hand feeding her and her siblings when she turned 3 weeks old. We named her Scarlett because when she was still in the nest box, her cousin Coconut went into the box and pecked at the chicks, unfortunately Scarlett was one of her victims and was left a little scar above her eye, though I do think it is healing and is being covered over by her new feathers as she molts. While Scarlett was indoors she was kind of like the ring leader for the others, she would behave badly and then teach the others how to do it! She is such a cheeky little monkey! I call her my little madam! She brings us fun and laughter to our lives and to our aviary and I am enjoying having her around. 

 

Nala

2 Months Old

Budgie

Nala is sister to Scarlett. The clutch was made up of 4 girls and 1 boy. 1 of the girls have gone off to a new home the others are now living life in the aviary. Nala hatched 15th June 2011. She looks similar to her big brother Flash, but because of the slight differences and their genders I can easily tell them apart. Nala was the quiet one of the clutch and was such a sweetie, though never really 'tame' but she would tolerate us. It took me a while to find a name which suited her, someone suggested the name Nala and it stuck in my head.

 

Iris

2 Months Old

Budgie

Iris is sister to Scarlett, Harry and Nala. She hatched around the 19th June 2011. As always the youngest ones seem to find that special place in my heart, even though she loved to bite me when it came to feeding time! She grew out of biting and became a right snuggle bug. Though her name became Iris when we noticed she had something wrong with her eye. She looked to have damaged it so we kept a close eye on it though a few days later it seemed to have gotten all better. I tried to keep her indoors along with Harry and Oddball though my parents wouldn't allow it. So she is now loving the space and company out in the aviary. I still keep a constant watch on her eye, but other than that she is perfectly happy and healthy!

I think that is all for the aviary birds, though I will update if anymore pop up!

Thank you for reading and I do hope you continue to follow my blog!

Ive also noticed people can't comment on my blog? Please could someone get in touch so I can try and figure it out. Keep trying to comment and let me know what it says etc.

The Indoor Birds!

We have several birds who now live with us, inside the house and outside in an aviary. First I will introduce you to the birds who live inside, with us.

Jaz

10Years Old or Older

Congo African Grey Parrot

Jaz came to live with us when her previous owner got into a relationship and could no-longer keep her due to her attacking the family dog. We had always wanted an African Grey Parrot and now we have Jaz. She came to us known as 'Jasper' this is because everyone thought she was male! With some research we started to think she was female, mainly based on the tail and the fact she is in love with my dad and only really likes men also helped us indicate she is female. We are unsure of her age because she has had several owners, her very first died therefore his widow had to re home her, she then ended up in an old folks home, then a rescue and then to her previous owner before coming to us. We hope that this is her last stop and we have many years yet with her. 

As I have previously mentioned she totally loves my dad, as soon as she arrived she took to him. In the evenings she likes nothing more than to snuggle on his chest while he strokes the back of her neck. I can't say if she likes my mum or brother because they don't tend to spend much time with her, but I am always around her, talking to her, letting her out and giving her treats and I'm the one who has been attacked a few times! We aren't sure if she was trying to 'protect' me but the first 'attack' she pretended to get onto my shoulder but bit my cheek instead, next she 'attacked' my hair-towel and then again 'attacked' me when I was holding a rolled up newspaper. Her beak isn't the smallest in the bird world! and does bruise me, luckily I haven't bled or anything too serious but I still love her. 

She enjoys chewing up wooden toys and perches as well as strolling around the floor, rather than flying! She has a wide vocabulary, whistles and sounds which have us all in giggles. Her newest saying is "Go away" which I said to her when she was 'stalking' me on the sofa. Every so often she will get fixed on saying something, for example at the moment she enjoys saying "Bye, Yeah Bye" especially when someone is putting on their shoes or coat, perfect timing! 

Unfortunately Jaz isn't friendly with any of the other birds we have here, so she can only come out while the others are in their cage, and when the others are flying around the top of her cage needs to be covered as she tries to bite them and pluck out their feathers! Such a grumpy girl! I guess it's because she has never been around other birds before and doesn't want them landing on her cage. 

If you have any questions about Jaz or African Greys, feel free to ask! 

Lucky

Age Unknown

Cockatiel

Lucky came to us after my Uncle found him in the streets, unable to fly or get away. We got a phone call from my nan asking if we could go and collect him, and so we did. We named him Lucky because he was lucky to be alive and to have been found by my uncle. He came to us with a swollen, bruised wing which soon healed up nicely after some rest, he also had a couple of feathers missing which grew back shortly after arriving. Really, we are the lucky ones, he is such a friendly cockatiel, we couldn't have gotten better! He will sometimes sit on your arm/shoulder but prefers to sit on a stick where he has better grip. He loves to sing to us and the other birds, he has his own little song (he must of picked the sound off from somewhere). 

He currently lives with 2 budgies and 2 canaries in a huge indoor aviary cage where he enjoys his time, resting and relaxing in between out of cage time. Every day we try and let the birds out for a fly around to stretch and exercise their wings, its a little busy at first when they are all flying around but they soon settle down and start playing. Lucky is such a sweet little cockatiel, he has brought even more happiness to us. I am kind of glad no-one owned up to be his owners as I would have been sad to have seen him go. I hope we have many more years with him yet! 

If you'd like to know more or have any questions, do ask!

Oddball

5Months Old

Budgie

Oddball is son of Sunny and Violet (who I will introduce you to in the aviary birds post) he was 1 of 5 of their first clutch who I hand reared. Right from the start he seemed special, at first he wouldn't take to hand feeding and knew he was going to be trouble! But as soon as he took to it and saw me as mum, we were inseparable. Oddball hatched on the 29th March 2011 and I started hand feeding him at the age of 3 weeks. Oddball always stood out as he was always the one who loved to sit on us when it came to play time, outside of the nursery cage. Up until his first moult we thought he was in fact a she! This is because his cere (nose) had black marks on it therefore I couldn't tell his gender properly until he started to mature and I found out he was male which hasn't changed our love for him.

 Everyday Oddball and the other indoor birds are allowed time out of their cage to exercise and play for a couple of hours. I don't believe in clipping wings as birds are birds, they are meant to have wings and to be able to fly, I'm not against it if its for the safety of the bird or the owner has a real reason to clipping, I just wouldn't clip my own birds unless their health was at risk. Sorry, I went off topic then! Anyway, Oddball is a real sweetie and I am loving having him around, we enjoy our little 'kisses' and I love it when he chats to me and when he tries to get as close as possible to me or whoever is passing him when he is in his cage. He is currently the friendliest budgie I own and I hope to have him in my life for a long time.

If you have any questions on budgies or Oddball, just ask!

Ollie

2Months Old

Budgie

Ollie is Oddball's sibling but from Sunny and Violet's second clutch, making him younger than Oddball. Ollie is still a baby at the age of 2 months old and still has some growing to do. At the moment he seems to have drifted away from us and isn't as tame as Oddball, but with time he will become confident again and will start interacting with us more. Again, Ollie is 1 of 5 out of the second clutch, I also hand raised him and his 4 sisters, yes this poor guy had to put up with 4 females! I started hand feeding him at 3 weeks old when his older cousin Coconut ventured into their nest box and decided to pick on two of his sisters, therefore I had to bring them all in so that she couldn't peck them again. I can gladly say that they are all fully weaned, three of his sisters are now out in the aviary and the fourth is waiting for her new owner to buy a cage and accessories ready for when she goes to live with her.

There's not much to tell you yet, as we are still getting to know him, but I will be editing these introductions as things change in life. He currently lives indoors with Oddball, Lucky, Quasi, Modo and Hetty the canaries.

If you'd like to know more or have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Quasi

4Months Old

Canary

Quasi is one of the canaries we have hand raised this year (2011) and she is one of the most friendliest canaries we have ever had. We decided to hand rear Quasi when the outside temperature dropped and her siblings started to die. Her name is Quasi, named after Quasimodo from the Disney film he Hunchback of Notre-Dame because she managed to get herself tuck in her seed pot for around 2 seconds before my mum got her out and she must of damaged her neck/spine as her head now sits to the side and my dad said she looks like she has a hunched back... which is where the name came from! and it stuck! At first we thought she was male, but because she has yet to sing (the only way we can sex canaries) we decided she is female. 

Quasi is a funny little bird. She loves nothing more than to nibble and peck us! Whether its our fingers/nails or our ears/earrings if its there, she will nibble it! We have never had a canary like her. She is one special girl. She lives with the cockatiel, budgies and two other canaries during the day but of a night we have to take her out and put her into a travel cage, where she can only sit on a seed pot, where she rests her head on the pot and sleeps. (because of her neck/spine) its adorable! Without her current sleeping arrangement she wasn't getting much sleep with her head keep falling off the perch she never had much energy and every time it was playtime outside of the cage she would come to us and sleep, by resting her head on us. 

We love her dearly and we are glad her disability hasn't stopped her doing what she wants. Other than a strange looking neck she is every part a bird and acts like a bird. She completely loves humans! She would rather be with a human than another bird if she had her way! But we can only take so much ear nibbling. 


If you would like to know more about canaries or Quasi in particular, just ask. 

Modo

3Months Old

Canary

Modo is second canary chick we have had this year (2011) We started hand raising her when he mum wasn't feeding her properly and was only interesting in sitting on the chick rather than keeping her fed. Modo isn't as friendly as Quasi, but she too likes to peck and nibble us and will come and sit on us if Quasi is sitting with us, otherwise she likes to explore the room. A couple of days ago we did try and put Modo out in the aviary, she was out there for 2 days and did not look happy as she was constantly wanting our attention by flying backwards and forwards whenever we were out there and she would come up to the bars and nibble our fingers through the bars so we decided to bring her back in. As soon as she was back with her friends she was the happiest canary Ive seen! She started to chirp loud as if to say "I'm back!" it was a lovely sight to see.

Hetty

Age Unknown

Canary

I currently have no photos of Hetty. She used to live in the aviary however due to the others constantly picking on her by plucking and pecking at her head we simply couldn't let it continue and decided to bring her indoors. We did try and put her back out but the same happened again so she is going to be a permanent resident indoors. We are now in the process of getting to know her and seeing if she will become friendly and tame, but it will be a long process, I will keep you all updated on her. 

The Leopard Gecko!

Liz

Under 1Year Old

Liz is the family's first lizard! She belongs to my brother who's only ever pet has been a 10 year old + goldfish who is still alive! out in the pond so my parents agreed to let him have his own pet, seeing as I had so many. Liz is under a year old and is a Leopard Gecko. She currently lives in a vivariam which is located in my brothers bedroom. She enjoys hunting her favourite food; Locusts and silent crickets. She prefers not to be handled but once she is sitting on your hand she is perfectly fine. There's not really much to tell you about Liz as I don't tend to spend much time with her only every-other weekend when I am looking after her. I let her out to have a run around on my brothers bed in the evening time, but not for too long as she cools down rather quickly and needs to warm back up in her tank. Sometimes she thinks of your fingers of food and will snap at them, don't worry she hasn't got any teeth!

When my brother decided to get a leopard gecko we visited a couple of different reptile shops looking for the perfect one for him. He didn't want one which was over-active and not handable. So we came across Liz... My brother got some money off of her because she has a deformity, she has no claws on her feet and some of her toes are missing, apparently because she had a bad moult but we think it could have been down to the wrong diet. We can't help but fall in love with those who 'need' our love and attention, the ones who people usually over-look. So she came home with us! And we have loved her ever since.

If you have any questions do feel free to ask about her!

Thank you for reading and I hope you continue to follow my blog.