An introduction from a new Mama to her baby budgie!

[TurkeyBacon]

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to introduce myself and my baby.  I'm Linz and I just recently brought home a budgie who I named Turk.  I'm not sure if it's male or female, not that it matters terribly, but it would be nice to know. The vet seemed unsure too.  He said I should wait until he has a moult to tell.  I also had the vet clip his wings  but never plan to do it again.  I'm a novice bird owner and I thought I'd try it out now while I'm still taming him and getting to know him, but I just felt sooo awful after I did it and he seemed so sad.  From now on, I plan to keep him flighted. 

I bought Turk from Petsmart about 3 weeks ago and was completely taken by his/her color as Teal is my favorite! I got him to eat from my hand within about 30 mins of having him home and now he preens me and snuggles with me.  He's such a joy to watch.  Not to mention, can this little bugger sing.  I'm an aspiring opera singer myself, and the first time Turk heard me sing he joined right in.  He enjoys serenading me in duets with Sinatra, famous tenor arias and a treat of millet in the sun.  haha.

I've always been so fond of the idea of having a bird as a pet and I finally took the plunge! I couldn't be happier! I'm so excited to have an outlet to talk about my love of my new baby.  (I think my friends are a bit sick of it.) haha.  I'm a sponge for knowledge so any tips would be gladly appreciated!!

[keetgirl]

aww he's so cute! did you start training him to step up?

[TurkeyBacon]

Yeah.  He's a pro!!! He's been so easy to train!!!  He will sit on your finger or your shoulder or your head! Doesn't really matter to him. He's sitting on my computer now sining with Sinatra now!!! It's adorable!

[Sarah]

Aww! What a sweetie! You lucked out there; petsmart birds aren't generally well socialized. He's pretty too. If you could give me a larger picture I could see about identifying his age and gender for you, try to catch him in some natural light.

[keetgirl]

i think its a male. X i got a bird from petsmart but he bit pretty hard and chewed you until you let him go. but he was so SOOOOOOOOOOO pretty and cute.
i got the pic from google cuz i cant find one on him. but im sure i have a few!!! R.I.P he flew away

[TurkeyBacon]

I really lucked out with Turk! I went in looking for some sort of blue/teal parakeet and they didn't have any out. So I asked about it and turns out they had a batch in the back that was just about to be brought out to the selling floor.  So I got him straight from the back room. Turk never even got the chance to be terrorized by customers or anything like that.  He was very small and I assume quite young but what do I know.  Ill try to get a good picture later and post it. 

[TurkeyBacon]

Sophie I'm so sorry for your loss.  I'm sure that must have been heart breaking. 

[keetgirl]

it was. poor vanilla....

[Indy+Sunnybird]

Turk is beautiful!

[TurkeyBacon]

Thank you so much! Turk is definitely my spoiled little baby! haha

Ok, I also took a few pictures that hopefully give you a better idea of what his cere looks like.  So fire away with your thoughts on whether I've got a gent or a lady!!

[keetgirl]

probably male but.. knowing his age would make it easier to tell. how old is he?

[TurkeyBacon]

Hmm...I'm not terribly sure to be honest. I know he had arrived to the store only about a week before I bought him since they aren't allowed to sell them for a week from when they receive them.  But other that that, I don't know much else.

[keetgirl]

how long have you had him?

[Sarah]

I would say that Turk is an adult opaline sky female.

Im not sure if its glare, but answer me this; does Turk have stripes right above the cere, or is it plain white? Also, describe Turk's eyes. Jet black? Silver iris? Brownish Iris?

[TurkeyBacon]

Right about Turk's cere is mostly white. There are minimal/faint black stripes starting towards the middle-top of his/her head and definitely a thin silver iris.