Spice sings most of the day. He will often serenade me in the morning as I sit by the computer. This is my very first attempt at a video with my digital camera so please forgive the poor quality.
But after you watch it I wouldn't be surprised if everyone doesn't go out and get a budgie so they can experience such cuteness every day.

What are you talking about, the video quality is great! I'm on a computer with no speakers at the moment so I could only watch with no sound, but my goodness Spice is so handsome! A puffed up English budgie head is the best! I'm very excited to listen to his singing as soon as I can get some sound It always amazes me at how different budgies voices can be.

I look forward to many more videos!

Thank you Sarah. I think he is handsome, too. You know, after I got Parsley the budgies sort of took a back seat. But they had each other and were really enjoying their life together. But I think I need to make more of an effort with them. I would love for them to be tamer.

That was great - not bad for a camera! I think you are right - how could anyone not love the singing & the funny piggy sounds they make?

Spice is fabulously beautiful. He sure had me smiling, as I watched the video - very, very sweet.

Thanks for taking the time to capture him.

Originally Posted by luvmath

Thank you Sarah. I think he is handsome, too. You know, after I got Parsley the budgies sort of took a back seat. But they had each other and were really enjoying their life together. But I think I need to make more of an effort with them. I would love for them to be tamer.

I think it's definitely possible for them to be tamer - not necessarily as tame as Parsley is, but much more willing to interact with you. Winston will never be as tame as Jerry, and I'm fine with that. I'm sure that if I clipped his wings and worked really hard with him that he'd like hands more, but that's not my goal. He is interactive with me and enjoys being near the humans (in addition to Jerry & Lulu) when he's out. Sugar and Spice can still enjoy one another and also enjoy your company too, I'm sure of it.

I can also see how it's easy to not work with them as much when they already have a strong companionship with one another, and having Parsley who's already so tame.

I think the tried and true method of peaking their interest in you is being near them, talking to them often, and doing something in the room with them - reading a book, eating, singing with them, etc. I find that they are so observant of me and what I'm doing when I'm in the same room with them, whether they're caged or not. I try to make everything I do look and sound fun - they're real suckers for drama

Do they have a favorite food that you can set aside and only eat when they're with you? Or try eating some budgie-friendly human foods in front of them and rave how good it is - they might be enticed to eventually come over and try it for themselves. Or do they have a favorite toy? What I used to do with Jerry is play with some of his favorite toys and act like I was having the best time in the world and he'd immediately be interested and would then fly over and we'd play with his toys together.

I have to agree with Sarah regarding the taming part. I don't know how much time you have or want to devote to taming or training. I have found that Budgie/human interaction has to work 2 ways - interesting for all parties or it just doesn't happen.

If you have a daily activity they can look forward to, & you too - then progress will happen without effort. Sarah has her just home & making them supper + their flying time that is so exciting. I have a Budgie hat when I am on the computer & there are the 4x's a day fly times that could be used as Rio loves to have an audience. I take that time to talk to him & encourage him to 'Come'.

It is a lot easier when they are alone. Rio is like a different bird - I had no idea his attitude would change so much now that he is alone. He still has the same personality but he's much more bonded to us & it reminds me of the time we had with Laker in the beginning. I am still prepared to get Rio a pal but I am taking advantage of this time to work with him a little.

Originally Posted by homebird

If you have a daily activity they can look forward to, & you too - then progress will happen without effort. Sarah has her just home & making them supper + their flying time that is so exciting.

I agree, and here's examples of what we do in my house:

We have a daily routine and even when the birds are in their cages I still try to include them in the hustle and bustle of what's going on. I talk and sing to them while I make dinner, I chat with them when I'm on the computer. Winston LOVES the dogs and whenever the dogs come into the bird room I fuss all over the dogs and he adores that and does special whistles that he only uses when the dogs are near. Jerry loves his kitty so she gets fussed on too and that always peaks Jerry's attention.

Then when it's fly time all of my attention is on the birds - which Dave doesn't always like because I can never pay attention to a TV show or movie because I'm always watching the birds and am constantly laughing at their antics When they're out every day it's like Christmas every day, I'm always that excited to watch them and interact with them.

Originally Posted by homebird

It is a lot easier when they are alone. Rio is like a different bird - I had no idea his attitude would change so much now that he is alone. He still has the same personality but he's much more bonded to us & it reminds me of the time we had with Laker in the beginning. I am still prepared to get Rio a pal but I am taking advantage of this time to work with him a little.

It is easier when they are lone budgies (but harder on humans to provide the enrichment and stimulation of a budgie friend). Jerry is so tame because he was an old bird for several months and an only budgie for about a year and a half. Dave and I always say that if Winston were an only budgie we have no doubt that he'd be super tame - but again, we're happy with where he's at and he seems happy with his level of human interaction.

You guys know how I can go on and on about all this stuff

I have sound now Spice's voice is adorable!!

How sweetttttttttt!

Golly thanks for all the wonderful suggestions. I will respond later in more depth as I have an all day wedding plus I want to think about things I could change. Just wanted you to know I will get back to you.