365 days of Emmy

One year ago today we brought home this adorable budgie. nb2We found her on Craigslist. She was a bundle of energy. Lots of climbing of the cage walls, rolling around on the bottom of the cage, twisting and turning upside down – a little acrobat. Unfortunately, she was also terrified of us and would flip out whenever we got near her. It took months to get her used to my hand being in the cage. And even longer to get her to step up. Today she will step up, but will hop off if we move our hands. We’ve only managed to get her out of the cage on our fingers on a few occasions. She’s still a work in progress…e1Emmy is our biggest budgie (I think she has some English budgie in her). She’s so soft and fluffy. I love her whipped cream tummy and the fact that she has one white cheek. She’s also a funny little nut. Except at bedtime, when she chases the other budgies. We’re not sure if she’s afraid of the dark, or just wants to be rightnext to the other budgies. e2Here she is with her boyfriend Ozzie (Emmers and Ozzers) – who puts up with her shenanigans.

Happy Anniversary Emmy – we love you!

Fashion Face-Off!

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All Together Now

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.ff2Felix and Lera – pastel parakeets.f3Emmy and her beau, Ozzie.e1Hanging out with Cooper.e2e3

Almost there…

Emmy is finally stepping up.fingerWe’ve only been working on this since November!  (Lots and lots of) patience does pay off. We just need to be a little more consistent, and then it’s time to move into the big cage.stanceThis was her usual position when I’d put my hand on the cage – in the corner, one foot on the perch, one on the bars. Except she’d usually be leaning waaaaay back. I’m so happy she’s finally coming around. Phew!

Cooper’s Bloopers

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!”

OzzieozzieLeraleraGordiegordieEmmyemmyAlfiealfieCoopercooperDeweydewey

Sunnysunny

Trouble

emmyEmmy. She looks so sweet and innocent…seedBut look what I woke up to the other day. Little one knocked the top of her food dish and then, somehow, made this mess. She did this twice before I learned to take the food dish out at night. Emmers sure is a little spitfire. Good thing she’s so darn cute.

Happy Birthday Ozzie!

1Ozzie turned 2(ish) today. The birthday boy was not into posing with his cupcake. This is the best we could do.2Here is Ozzie with his birthday presents –  a chew thingie and mirror rings. The budgies feasted on lettuce (Ozzie’s favorite).3Except for Emmy – who was more into destroying the lettuce. Good thing Ozzie ate his fill before she started flinging it around the cage.