I've been replaced by a disco ball!

[Red Moppet]

Hi, I just wanted to share what happened this morning with you guys because no one else understands why I have a bird instead of a cat so they don't get why this incident has upset me. You may not either, thinking that I'm over-reacting and being a sook.

I brought Sputnik home when I was on summer holidays and so we spent a lot of time together. This September I've returned to work and have noticed changes in his behaviour since. The changes could be due to the process of maturing and/or the fact that he's molting too, maybe. He used to squeak like a mouse and fluff his head feathers inviting me to scratch him. He doesn't let my fingers go near him now except when he's perching on me or when I'm feeding him a treat or when he attacks them (typical psychotic budgie attack - I hope you know what I'm talking about!) but definitely not to scratch him. Anyway, after this morning's play time out of his cage, I put Sputnik back in before leaving for work. He immediately went to what I think is his new best friend, his mirrored disco ball, and started chatting to it. I've seen him play with it lots, attacking it, singing to it, that sort of thing. But this morning I saw him sidle up to it, fluff out his head feathers asking for a scratch, and squeak to it! It just broke my heart! Firstly, has his disco ball replaced me? Is this healthier for him? How sad that he has to rely on a toy for love!!! Is it time to get him a little budgie buddy? Am I totally a bad bird buddy/mom?

[entrancedbymyGCC]

I think you might have the budgie-meets-mirror problem. You may want to try taking the disco ball away from him for a while and see if things improve.

And they certainly do seem to go thorough phases. I just went through that with Scooter. I was afraid he was maturing and losing affection for me, but he was just a grumpy feather butt (who said that first? I'm stuck on it now!) for a few days and now he's back to normal.

[Kathleen]

Your bird simply enjoys interacting with its own reflection in the toy. Take the toy away and your bird will look for that social interaction elsewhere---like with you.

[Kim S]

Dont expect miracles from taking the ball away. Budgies are very cuddly when theyre babies and during molt they love being scratched. But when they mature they tend to become more of a loner, behaviourwise that is. They will still love to interact with you, but they will become a bit more distant and go their own way.
Every budgie is a character in itself, but most prefer to go exploring on their own in stead of sitting and cuddling with you all evening.

[Titanius]

Its so funny you mention this I was about to buy one of these similar disco balls for my tiels.. But I had a flash back of Jasper with his mirror and quickly threw the idea out. And the beat goes on.

[Red Moppet]

Thanks everyone.

Kathleen & entranced, would it be mean to take the mirror away at this point? I don't want him to wallow when he's home alone. (I do leave the tv on for him and change up his toys and hide foraging treats)

Kim, I thought I had lucked out with a cuddly budgie! He was such a cuddle-bug for the first few months. Sigh. At least he still enjoys interacting with me and he will still sit for kisses and face to face time.

Titanius, I thought the disco ball was so cute in the store! I figured the mirror sections were too small for Sputnik to really see himself in so I thought it would be ok. What happened with Jasper when you took his mirror away?

[Azure Hanyo]

Thanks everyone.

Kathleen & entranced, would it be mean to take the mirror away at this point? I don't want him to wallow when he's home alone. (I do leave the tv on for him and change up his toys and hide foraging treats)

Kim, I thought I had lucked out with a cuddly budgie! He was such a cuddle-bug for the first few months. Sigh. At least he still enjoys interacting with me and he will still sit for kisses and face to face time.

Titanius, I thought the disco ball was so cute in the store! I figured the mirror sections were too small for Sputnik to really see himself in so I thought it would be ok. What happened with Jasper when you took his mirror away?

Sorry to chime in late! I just recently had a problem where Archimedes became absolutely smitten by a mirror. He sat by it all day, happily trying to preen it and look at himself and nuzzle it. He tried to attack me when I went to get him out for playtime even!!! And some birds will get attached to even a toy that isn't a mirror- it is misplaced affection and isn't healthy for the bird to be in love with a toy and think the toy is its mate or best friend forever. I had my husband take the mirror away from him so he wouldn't see me as the "bad guy" and then Archimedes went back to normal! Definitely get rid of that toy! The sooner the better, and hopefully you can have someone else do it. If not, make sure he can't see you get rid of it. And don't worry- they only mope for a little while. I promise!

[Red Moppet]

Sorry to chime in late! I just recently had a problem where Archimedes became absolutely smitten by a mirror. He sat by it all day, happily trying to preen it and look at himself and nuzzle it. He tried to attack me when I went to get him out for playtime even!!! And some birds will get attached to even a toy that isn't a mirror- it is misplaced affection and isn't healthy for the bird to be in love with a toy and think the toy is its mate or best friend forever. I had my husband take the mirror away from him so he wouldn't see me as the "bad guy" and then Archimedes went back to normal! Definitely get rid of that toy! The sooner the better, and hopefully you can have someone else do it. If not, make sure he can't see you get rid of it. And don't worry- they only mope for a little while. I promise!

Oh wow, Sputnik sounds like your Archimedes - he nips at me if I try to take him out and away from his "buddy"! Thanks so much for sharing your experience. I'm going to get rid of the mirror this morning before I put Sputnik back in the cage - I want him to return to normal too! I'll do it when he's in another room. Maybe I'll put a new toy in it's place to maybe distract him from the fact that the disco ball isn't there any more. Wish me luck!

[pchela]

You might want to consider another budgie, though not in the same cage! Hand fed budgies are so sweet and I am a firm believer that there should always be two birds in the house for when the owner is out of the house. They are flock animals and I think being alone is bad for them. But, if you had another budgie, or any parrot, in another cage, same room, they could chat to each other and not feel alone.

This might help ease your feelings of guilt about leaving him alone without his "buddy".

[Red Moppet]

You might want to consider another budgie, though not in the same cage! Hand fed budgies are so sweet and I am a firm believer that there should always be two birds in the house for when the owner is out of the house. They are flock animals and I think being alone is bad for them. But, if you had another budgie, or any parrot, in another cage, same room, they could chat to each other and not feel alone.

This might help ease your feelings of guilt about leaving him alone without his "buddy".

You're right too. I've been thinking that getting another budgie from the same breeder Sputnik is from might be a good idea, but have been worried about training, the amount of extra work, whether another bird would be his friend or if they'd ever get along and if he'd lose his bond with me...

but I think you're right that he'd be a lot happier during the day at least and I would have less guilt. I've been doing research as to what species interrelates with budgies well and there don't seem to be many (lovebirds can bite toes off I've read) but maybe I still need to do more research. Might be best just to get a second budgie. Would it be better to get another male? Any suggestions as to species?