Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello! I just got my daughter a rosy bouke parakeet (we've had experience with a lovebird before), and am wondering what we can do in order to help him settle in well in his new home? We're wondering if it's okay to handle him, or whether we should leave him alone for a day or two? We held him in the pet store, and here at home he sat on my daughter's shoulder as she prepared his cage for him. He was grooming her hair, cooing at her, clicking, and just generally doing all the things that our previous lovebird did when he was happy, so I'm hoping this means he's liking us and his new home?
Any advice and info anyone here can give me would be great, as I like to educate myself fully on my pets. Are there any books I can get, or any internet sites on these calm little guys?
Thanks!

It seems this little guy is happy to have a family!! I'm not sure when you posted this, but I see no problem in holding him for a little bit, but make sure you give him plenty of hours to get used to his cage, before the lights go out. To be honest, even though my name is Parakeet, I am not very educated on this breed. But I will tell you what goes for all parrots.

I suggest:

1)Not clipping the wings
2)Feeding pellets (my pionus likes Zupreem, but my cockatiel likes Pretty bird.)
3)Purchasing a playstand (A table top one can do, they are only like $20.)
4)Feeding plenty of fruits and veggies
5)Letting it out of it's cage to fly around.
6) This is really optional, but if you are ever considering another parrot in the future, I would DNA sex the Parakeet, just so your sure that you don't accidentaly get the oposite sex.

If you do this your bird will most likely live to the full extint and be the happiest it can be.

If you have any other questions, please post.

I agree with almost everything that "parakeet" said. The only thing I would question is the clipping wings. I do not suggest clipping all birds wings in fact I very rarely clip any of our birds wings in the rescue or at home and tbey do wonderfully but a lot is going to depend on your home situation. Do you use ceiling fans? Do you ever leave windows open? Is there a chance your bird will be out of its cage while others may be going in or out the door? If you answer yes to any of those questions then I would say it is safer to have your birds wings clipped. Also if your bird is currently aggressive or turns aggressive with sexual maturity a wing clip may also help. Most birds are much more trainable and able to be handled when their wings are clipped. Then when your bird is better trained and settled down you could let the wings grow back out. If you do decide your birds wings need clipped please check them every 3 months or less as they do grow back in and many "clipped" birds have flown away.

As far as books I don't have any particular ones in mind for parakeets but you could use the link at the top of the page to search for books on parakeets/budgies in general or Rosy Bourkes in particular.

Good luck with your new friend even though this is a bit late in coming!