Pets.
PETS!
Actually, no. Not pets. Family members. They are treated as if they were human, the spoiled little sods.
My family has been keeping and breeding birds for generations. So It was only fitting that I should also do the same. My first bird Zak (Zakynthos) was a beautiful green and yellow pied budgie with the most piercing eyes. He was gorgeous, from his cool head to his bent toe.
Our current family consists of 8 birds and 16 fish.
Meet Stiny
We got Stiny around 5 or 6 years ago from a private breeder a few towns over. She was originally thought to be male, however it has now become clear she is not. She has a cage mate called Steve and loves crisps. She knows she shouldn't eat them, but as soon as she hears a packet rustle, she will dive bomb you. We also call her 'Wotsit Breath' as she has a habit of hissing right in your face and it smells of Wotsits.
Meet Peter
Peter is actually the sibling of Stiny (How amusing is that?) because it turned out my grandmother's friend on the old peoples estate purchased him from the same breeder. He couldn't take care of him after developing septicemia and so he gave him to the local pet store. When we found out we raced over and bought him to save him from the place. Peter is actually FEMALE and was named Peter already when we got him. He's a maniac who LOVEs tickles and will demand them by saying 'tickle tickle' at you. He also says 'PETER!', 'PETER PUFF', 'SHUT UP' and 'HELLO'.
Meet Steve
Steve was also 'rescued' from the local pet store. We visited one day to see this amazing male cockatiel in the back on his own in a small cage. He was so friendly and even kept saying 'hello' at us and pressing up against the bars for attantion. We asked about him and apparently the previous owner couldn't keep him anymore and so he was given to them. The previous owner had actually taught him to whistle the Great Escape theme tune, so we came up with the name Steve after the star of the movie, Steve McQueen. He is Stiny's mate and the silly lil guy dotes on her.
Meet Nicole
Nicole is actually male, but was sold to us as a female. We 'rescued' her yet again from another pet store, this time in the town. He is more wild than the others and is taking a lot of training. When we first got Nicole he had a bad screeching habit which we are now (Thankfully) slowly getting him out of. Nicole is our youngest cockatiel.
Meet Greenie
Greenie is the oldest of our budgies. We bought him in 2006 when he was already an adult, so who knows how old he actually is. We have had him for around 6 years, so he's certainly doing well for himself. His wing feathers are quite long so it gives him a scruffy appearance and his belly feathers are quite coarse, making him look like a tennis ball. (Hence the nickname.) He loves peace and quiet and being left to his own devices, but LOVES loud music.
Meet Skittles
Skittles was 'rescued' from the same pet store as Peter and Steve. We found him kept in an over-stocked indoor aviary and he was hanging upside down due to no perch space. He is a feral little bugger, but he's getting to be nice with training. He still has the hanging upside down trait though and we call it 'Batmanning'.
Meet Aya
Aya is not female. The funny part is, as a breeder, it is common knowledge that any birds carrying the albino trait are genetically female. Aya, however, is not. She, or rather 'he', is actually the mate of Fudge and it looks as if we will be getting eggs this breeding season. Aya is Lee's little princess and acts just like a hen in a males body. Loud, destructive and playful, Aya is so much fun to interact with.
Meet Fudge
Fudge is our beautiful indigo budgie hen. We found her in the same store as we rescued Nicole from and she was instantly a hit. She was only a chick and she came right up to the bars to nibble our fingers. We couldn't resist! She is the mate of Aya and has already laid one egg. Unfortunately it was empty, but here's hoping for more! She is affectionate and loves human company and will come close to the bars to see you.
Meet Blue
Blue, or 'Moody Fish' as he is more commonly known, is a Siamese Fighting Fish. (Betta Splenden) He is a fussy little git and is very particular about what he eats. He LOVES blood worm (Mosquito larvae) and picks round the flake food to get to it. He will come up to the glass to watch you when you are near. My family used to breed these guys, so I'm used to their care and nature.
