731 Days of Harvey

Two years ago, today, Harvey came to stay.

201414201515Today (just starting to moult and down three throat spots)

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This was the year Harvey finally stepped up. Patience finally paid off. He still will only step up from one side of the cage and will only go in the cage if your finger is on his right side. So, we still have a bit of work to do. This is also the year that he bonded with Cooper. Harvey loves to sing and chatter at bedtime and is going at it long after the lights are out. I’m looking forward to the day where I’ve won enough trust from him to give him a kiss.

Happy Anniversary Harvey – we love you!

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365 Days of Harvey

One year ago today we brought home this little fellow.10And here he is today: hvy15anniYep – he looks as comfortable with the camera as he did a year ago. Harvey still has not stepped up. His previous owners must have really traumatized him. He will put one foot on my finger. But that’s it. I know one day the little light bulb will go off and he’ll step up, so we keep trying.

Harvey loves Lera and they are fun to watch as they groom each other. He’s a good eater and is very chatty when the lights go out. His toenails grow quickly and instead of taking him somewhere to get them clipped, we did it ourselves. He handled it like a champ.

Happy anniversary Harvey – we love you!

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In the spotlight – Harvey!

harvsHarvey is sweet and stubborn (and camera shy). He will let us pet his tummy, but only if he’s on the top perch. And forget about stepping up. I’ve tried a wooden perch, millet, everything! He just won’t do it. But I know we’ll get there soon. The little light bulb just hasn’t gone off yet.
In other Harvey news, he loves his dice. And Lera, of course. Like the other budgies, he enjoys his veggies, but fruit – not so much. We’re keeping an eye on his beak (he’s missing a portion of his lower beak) to make sure it doesn’t become a problem. Harvey is very vocal at bedtime. I like to think he’s singing lullabies and telling bedtime stories to the flock.

Vet Visit

Yesterday we took Lera and Harvey to the vet. Harvey needed a nail trim and Lera needed a beak trim. We also wanted the vet to take a look at Harvey’s beak. His lower beak is missing a little portion. I didn’t notice this when we brought him home – his feathers cover it up and he has have his beak open to see it.beakThe vet has two office cats, Harry and Lloyd. Lloyd was fascinated by the budgies. Eesh.cat1After an attempt to get up close and personal, he wandered off.cat2But not too far. Good try Lloyd, but we still see you.waitingHere are the budgies waiting for the vet. Harvey was very sweet to Lera – sticking close by her side and grooming her. examHarvey went first. The vet gave him an exam and filed down the little sharp point on the edge of his lower beak. It may or may not grow back – but we’ll keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t grow back strangely (jagged or in towards his mouth). After his nail trim, it was Lera’s turn.

We’re not sure what caused Lera’s beak to grow. We think it may have been from trauma. She might have bonked it – she did have some discoloration on it a little while back. But we wanted to rule out liver disease or anything else that might be going on. Her beak was clipped and filed and she was ready to go.

Before (it actually got a little longer than in this photo):lbeakbeforeAfter:after Harvey after his pedicure:hafterThe budgies were pretty calm throughout all the budgiehandling. I think it helped that they had each other for support. When we got home they both preened their ruffled feathers and took long naps. And of course, they had some millet as a reward for being such brave little budgies : ).