For those with multiple budgies, I'm interested in learning more about their body language towards each other. It has been very fascinating watching Jerry and Winston begin to interact with each other.

However, I have not spent much time observing multiple budgies together to get a better feel for their body language towards each other. For example, when Winston and Jerry approach each other, they both stand up on their tip toes before they begin to beak each other, like this:



I'm not sure what this means, if it's an initial curiosity thing, or a cautious thing, or a getting to know you thing....

They do the happy-budgie beak knock and warble in each others' faces occasionally when they are out, I know that is a good sign. I have also read that males will sing to each other to show off to each other - they spend quite a lot of time singing and warbling, but that sounds like standard budgie behavior (very talkative!).

Winston seems moodier than Jerry thus far - but I assume this is mainly due to his being so new to the flock and he physically tires out easily, thus sometimes not wanting to play when Jerry wants to play. He'll let Jerry know to back off by giving him the open beak and somewhat of a dart (not a nasty lunge by any means) - how common are squabbles between flock members?

This weekend I plan on camping out for awhile in a petstore to watch a cage full of budgies LOL.

Sarah - what a trooper you are - ever the scientist - & forever the pursuer of knowledge.

PS - be careful at the Budgie bins - they are too cute & well - they may not be all healthy - remember not to bring anything home. Do you have a plan?

How about hooking up with a local breeder & asking them endless questions & hanging out there?? Are there any members, in here, who live in your neck of the woods?

When i get another Budgie I'll help - but until then I'll just listen & aid in the questions.

My budgies squabble, something like that tall stretching thing, but it is only when both want to fight that it gets nasty. One will always back off. Only once have I needed a vet and it was 2 females going at each other. The males are way more mellow and peaceful. Open mouth budgie curses is most often enough to send one away. Males act all he man and then the best of friends. I think Winston is just telling Jerry he wont take nonsense but I dont think it will ever escalate to a fight if Jerry does back off. It is not a sign of weakness on Jerry's part. Maybe Winston just needs more time. Jerry sounds like he is being his persuasive best to ask for a game.

Yes Jerry does (surprisingly) back off when Winston gives an open beak warning. I'll bet you're right in that Jerry's asking for a game even if he knows that Winston is tired.

I'm really hoping to see they cuddle up next to one another. Seems that when I go to petstores I always hit the budgie nap hour and there are budgies cozied up to one another - cutest thing! I hope that Winston and Jerry will feel buddy enough to do that someday too. And nooooo Jac, there will be no more bringing home budgies! If I do buy one, I'm shipping it up to you!!

Last night when Winston told Jerry to back off at one point my husband remarked that he thought they were still trying to establish which one is dominant - but I explained that studies have shown that there does not tend to be alpha members of the flock and no domination. I agree with you, Angie, that Winston is just sending a signal to back off.

I'm hoping that once Winston builds up more muscle strength and stamina that they will outright play more. His feet are even pretty weak, probably from being on wooden round perches for at least a year. His flying stamina is improving slowly but steadily.

Never seen alpha male it is the females that choose the nest box or perches and defend it.

Jac, I just finished watching all of Gumleyboy's budgie updates and videos on YouTube - they are all fantastic!! for pointing them out to me!

The guy (I don't know his real name) has the same mentality and sentiments that I do as far as taming and bonding. And his situation is so very similar to mine - Bluey is younger than Jerry, but Rocky and Winston's situation are very similar (and Rocky is larger than Bluey, possibly and he pretty much looks like an English budgie to me) in that they had not been out of their cages and not hand tamed or around other budgies.

I was especially fascinated watching Bluey and Rocky meet - and I was very pleased to the see the very same body languages in Bluey and Rocky that I see every day in Jerry and Winston! Jerry, just like Bluey, crouches down low and gazes up at Winston, and they of course beak each other in that friendly budgie way. And Winston, like Rocky, occasionally will dart his head toward Jerry - not overly aggressive, but a small warning of sorts. And then they are friendly again shortly thereafter.

I love that he made his hand a platform for Rocky to learn to step onto - I am definitely going to try that with Winston. I have only been offering my finger/fingers (and I offered my arm last night), but in a vertical way - maybe a horizontal platform will be less intimidating with him...

And the last video of Rocky bathing - his timeline matches mine well too! - Winston's body language was the same too. It reassures me to see the similar body languages in those two!

Yah that guy is really talented & does thoughtful Budgie videos - seems he does all sorts of videos, for different groups - you should see his nature walks.

I like to see the interaction as well. I've made a favourites list of multiple budgie videos on Utube. I'll check them & post them as well. But most are standard Budgies.

I was pleased that Gumleyboy had a similar situation to yours, although Rocky is a girl. Now you get to see female blue opalines at work!