Laker
sex: male
age: mature when he came home (July 3rd, 2006)- about 3yrs old or older
type: Standard Budgie
mutation: Yellowfaced, Cobalt, Clearflight Pied

photo taken in January 2007 - he is very content (puffed up) after a big preen.

Here's a nice big wing stretch to be ready for flying. Here he is after a successful molt - Spring 2007.

Laker's story
I picked Laker up at a shelter in July 2006. We guess he was alone for a long time - he was at the shelter almost a year, but they didn't want to elaborate beyond saying that he was found outside & taken to the shelter. He was adopted out but returned. (How could they not love him like we do?) Laker does not 'talk' human. He was already mature & flighted when I got him. He has never been a nervous or overly frightened bird. He seemed to find the car ride home very stimulating.

He was out of his cage & stepping up in about 2 weeks but he took months to get used to hands. We trained him to step up using a perch, even before he left his cage. He was very keen to be out & flying. We had to bird proof our place, find good places for the cage, build some perches & keep an eye on the cat (who was old and has now passed away) ~ all has worked out.
When Laker was with us for 5 months we started Recall training Laker Video - a little Contact Call & Recall & he was very quick to catch on to everything we tried. It also strengthened the bond we all have with him - everyone got involved & Laker really blossomed. He is always eager to see us & always calls out to us or comes to visit us when we work or play music. Budgies & Music

We got him a friend at about 10 months. When we went out we worried about him & noticed he was subdued.
He still insists on sleeping alone in his small cage & often hides quietly away from his friend to be by himself. He doesn't even return contact calls when he wants his quiet time.

He's learned so much from another Budgie about being a Budgie. 2 Budgies are quite noisy! He doesn't get lonely or nap all the time now he has a pal. He tries new things that haven't killed the new Budgie & they really enjoy flying together. He is a bit jealous of the new bird and we try to pamper him a little.

His main distinguishing physical feature is his tail - 2 feathers are Indigo & 2 are White. Some days he changes them through preening, so he has 2 different looks.

Thanks for the story.


I always find this so cute about birds, that they need a taste tester first

Thanks Angie - Your comment supports the thread's story.

Reminder:
To others - read All about Budgies - starter kit. If you want to discuss anything in these threads start a regular thread.


As this is a trial thread - we'll see how it does.

We love Laker! You know those teeny, tiny, budgies may be the prettiest of all birds! So glad he has you! Ruby kissed the screen and said "step-up"!

Laker has been with us 2 years now. He has changed so much. No longer could he be in a cage all day. He & his buddy Rio can hardly stand it if they are barred from the office or my son's room & have to stay in their main room.

I just posted some new photos of Laker in this thread.
Laker - an update with photos

But here they are again - he is looking so good - all puffed up & singing away in the sun shine. He was in full serenade.
Note: his belly feathers are also puffed out on the sides - it is a look I really like.

I'm in love! lol He's so beautiful! I'm so glad you have him. :-)

The time comes that you have to say good-bye to a pet.

We lost Laker September 18th, 2008.
I think he was about 5yrs old - not so old for a Budgie. In truth, I don't know how old he was.
Here is his Obituary. Laker

He was sick the noon of the 17th & was he gone in the early morning of the next day. The Avian Vets were unable to help, even though they tried. Laker is ill

I have to say that I am so touched by all the kind and supportive replies I received. It meant a lot.

I feel Laker & his pals in the Budgie forums have reminded us all that although small they are great parrots. They are funny, sweet, feisty, clever, and courageous. They take on humans as if we weren't thousands of times larger than themselves and they weren't vulnerable prey animals.

Here is one of my 1st videos of Laker - YouTube - talking to the tea cup

He will always be in my heart and apparently in many other's.