Happy New Year

Well, here it is the last day of 2011.  The last of Mickey and Mia's babies went to his forever home today.
 I'm so happy to say that I've been very lucky for the most part in finding loving caring homes for my baby birds.  It is what I really hope for -that my baby birds-and all pet birds have a happy home with people who love and understand them.  There is no money to be made breeding birds -not if they are properly cared for.  Food, cages,toys etc. all add up.  Handfeeding formual and supplies probably end up costing more than what I charge for a bird. However, getting to hang out with these really beautiful and cool creatures is priceless.

We've had a wonderful birdie year.  Many baby lovebirds have hatched here.   We had a lovely clutch of four English Budgie boys. Three baby parrotlets hatched for first time parents Alfred and Lucinda. We even had five baby society finches.
On Christmas day we had a tiny English Budgie hatch and two more since then.  That's one of the nicest Christmas gifts I've ever had.
I'll be setting up a new bird room in the near future. I'm so excited about that. We'll have more space and more special lighting.
I'd like to send out my best wishes to all of the great people who have adopted birds from me and to the sweet little birds themselves. I hope that 2012 is filled with much love,luck, and happiness for all of you...and anyone else who reads this (:>}=
Katherine
p.s. check out my You Tube channel heartsongaviary :o)

We have three teenie tiny baby English Budgies today - sooooooooo cute {:>)=

Baby Hatched on Christmas Day

I was thrilled to her the tiny peeps of a just hatched English Budgie during my evening feeding time last night.  I peeked into the nest to see the pink, jelly bean sized, little fellow.  Awesome!
 Merry Christmas to me :o)
I had the days counted and was expecting that but it was a thrill just the same. Every tiny new baby that hatches here is wonderful  ... a precious new life.  I'll post pictures in the near future if mama bird comes out of the nest when I'm in the bird room.

Baby Lovebirds 4-5 Weeks Old

To see a video of these little guys(including a look a the green baby who somehow avoided getting into these pics-go to www.youtube.com and put heartsongaviary in the search box.

These little cuties are so lovable. The youngest is green - normal. Her little red face is just starting to show.  The older three are pieds. They are so pretty -yellow and green.  With the pied colour mutation the head is usually yellow-with the face being rosy but not as dark as the normal green birds.

Another Look at the English Budgie Babies

 

We love to play on the table

English Budgies Are Weaned

These babies are ready for their new homes now. They took as long as baby lovebirds to wean.  We weren't exactly in a rush. I really enjoy the hand rearing process and fall in love with all of the babies.

all blue...all boys...no mate for Piccadilly yet

Baby Budgie Shopping Bag Adventures

This curious little budgie couldn't resist checking out the groceries :o)

Mickey and Mia- Proud English Budgie Parents

Here's a look at the parents - the beautiful "Mickey and Mia".The babies are getting so big...but not nearly as big as their dad...he's a real big boy. Mia {mom} is on the left. Mickey{dad} is on the right.

Bird Treat Recipe

I've had a few requests for the homemade birdie treats that I pictured Mar. 28/2011.

I have to say that it is a sticky process but easy and well worth the effort. First of all you'll know exactly what is in them and also you'll save a lot of money on treats :o)
  Preheat your oven to 325F.  Line a ccokie sheet with foil to make removing treats easier.
In a bowl mix together 1 egg and approximately 1/8 cup honey (more is ok). Stir in 1/2 cup flour. Mix until smooth. Now gradually add in as much bird seed  whatever kind your bird likes) as you can and still have a "dough" that holds together.  Now comes the fun(sticky) part. For this it helps to grease your hands with a little butter/margarine/oil. Roll about two-three tablespoons of mixture into a ball. Flatten the ball a little and place on cookie sheet. Make a hole in the center of each ball -I use a chopstick to do this. Bake for appoximately 20-25 minutes until treats are firm.

After trying this basic recipe you can play with it ie: add in chopped dried fruit/chopped nuts/dried chili peppers/corn meal/pumpkin seeds/whet germ/flax seed etc. Put your bird's favorite things in.
 It's also a good way to sneak some pellets into the diet for birds that don't like eating them.
 You can crush the pellets or put them in whole. I sometimes roll the balls in red millet before baking.  You can also try different shapes.   Experiment and have fun  {:>)=

At Last ...Baby English BudgiesI

I'm so excited to announce the arrival of four beautiful English budgie babies. Actually I've been keeping it a secret as I didn't want to jinx anything.  These babies have been a long time coming.  We've had all sorts of complications with the English Budgies and I was starting to wonder if we'd ever have babies again.
These babies belong to Mickey and Mia.  This is their first clutch and their very first eggs....happy happy dance.

These guys are 17,15,13,and 11 days old today.

Baby Lovebirds Playing

It's hard to get pictures when they want to jump onto the camera all the time...and getting all four to stay still together long enough is just crazy :o)

Pied Peachfaced Baby Lovebirds

We're having a lot of fun around here with the birds. We have four baby lovebirds that are around 4-5 weeks old...super sweet.
I still have two of the baby parrotlets and I have to make the decision this week if they stay with me or go to new forever homes.  It's not an easy decision -believe me.  
 I have two English Budgies with eggs in the nest-crossing fingers here.
  My Splendid Parakeets have nine eggs but are inexperienced - we'll see.
Tabitha and Oliver got their nest box yesterday and they are madly shredding paper (Peachfaced Lovebirds).

Kasper and Serafina are working on their nest (Black Masked Lovebirds).
Stuart and Sunshine -will get their nest tomorrow(American Budgies).

Key Lime Parrotlet

Nobody will see me here. I blend right in with the limes {:>)=

Pip's Bath Pied Peachfaced Lovebird

Pip Loving the Water

Parrotlets Chillin'

Parrotlet Babies Almost Weaned

What colour should I use??

Enjoying the Sunlight

Mmmm Corn on the Cob

I Can Make My Own Smoothie {:>)=

Parrotlet Babies Coming Along

We're growing like weeds..cute,sweet,adorable weeds .

Two Little Brothers

Still a Little Scruffy Baby That's a smile.