We’ve been having a bit of hot weather in San Diego. To beat the heat the budgies have been playing in the water.
Ozzie in the pool.
Gordie takes a dip and a nap.
It’s hard to get Alfie out of the water.
Such a little clown.
After a swim, it’s time for some refreshing watermelon. Alfie is always the first to the food. He was more about the lettuce (as you can see from the ever present food on his beak). 
Cooper was the only one who was really into the watermelon. Yum!
Gordie, Ozzie and Cooper couldn’t wait for their food to make it into the cage.
Emmy and Felix finally moved into the big cage. Felix pals around with Gordie, but is a little standoffish with the others. I think Emmy wanted to be alpha female, but Lera shut that down pretty quickly. Both are doing well and seem to enjoy being with the flock. And I enjoy having only one cage to clean : ).
Felix and friends.
Felix and Lera – pastel parakeets.
Emmy and her beau, Ozzie.
Hanging out with Cooper.
It’s Gordie’s birthday! We’re not sure just how old he is – maybe 5 or 6?
* Click on this link: GordieBirthday for a printable picture that you can color.
Gordie’s favorite place when he’s out and about is the playgym on top of the bookcase.
It’s getting a little chewed up, so for his birthday Gordie got a brand new (bigger) play gym. I’m going to switch out some of the perches with natural branches and add some toys.
Of course, the flock celebrated with everybudgie’s favorite – millet!
Happy birthday Gordie! We love you!
What? No bloopers? Cooper has become such a super little model that we didn’t have any bloopers this month. So instead, here are some pics of the flock opening wide and saying, “Ahhh.” Or, “ACK!”
Ozzie
Lera
Gordie
Emmy
Alfie
Cooper
Dewey
Sunny
She looks sweet, doesn’t she? Who would have thought little Lera (and she is so tiny) would rule the roost? All the budgies make way for Lera. If she sees something she wants, it’s hers. I never see her pecking at the others, so I don’t know how she does it…
Gordie is up to speed with the other budgies now. He comes out on his own, eats his veggies, chatters (loudly), takes baths and pals around with Ozzie. His favorite spot to hang out is on the playgym on top of the bookshelf. And now, when we peer into the cage, he comes right up to the bars to visit. And very recently, he’s become close with Lera! I’ve caught him feeding her and they’ve been preening each other. They’re not inseparable/loveydovey, but I’m glad that he has a little sweetheart.
The budgies are growing in their new feathers. At the moment, they’re looking rather scruffy…
Pinnies!
Didn’t Gordie just finish moulting? Seems like it…
Ozzie, minus a couple throat spots.
On the play gym!
Ozzie
Gordie is still hanging out on the edge. But I’m sure he’ll explore more soon.
Alfie
Gordie has come a long way since we first brought him home. 
He went through a moult, losing his clipped feathers. His new flight feathers are almost all in.
He’s interacting with the budgies and the toys. He even took a bath the other day. No more sitting quietly in one spot for Gordie! He’s become quite the chatterer and can screech just as loudly as the rest of the budgies. He’s started coming out of the cage as well. Before he would race back and forth in the cage trying to keep up with the budgies who were running about on top of the cage. He finally worked up his courage and flew out. It was very exciting. What a brave budgie!
Gordie is still working on his flying. I think once all his feathers are in he’ll be able to get the lift he wants. Right now his flying has a waggling quality. But he does his best to keep up with his buddy, Ozzie (he follows Ozzie around like a puppy).
That’s Gordie on the right – these two look like twins!
Gordie moved into the big cage today.
He seems to be doing pretty well. He’s been keeping to himself, but has been chirping and investigated one of the toys. He sticks to one spot and avoids the other budgies, but I’m hoping they’ll all warm up to each other quickly.
Emmy came out of the cage and bonked into a wall. Eesh. She seems to be doing better flying around, though. It helps to have Ozzie show her how to navigate the room.
Emmy moved to the quarantine cage. Just until I finger tame her. It’s impossible to do in the big cage. Ozzie will visit and sleep there (and show her that stepping up is easy). As soon as Emmy moves back into the big cage, it will be Lera’s turn to meet the budgies. Jeez, we have a lot of budgies!