Andrea's Critters

Availability updated 11-28-09

 Handfed Budgies:

Many people know these little birds as "parakeets," but "budgie" is the more correct name for this little species of bird. There are many different species of parakeets (i.e rosellas, Alexandrine parakeets, lineolated parakeets, etc), but the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) is the common pet bird that most people think of when they hear "parakeet." Budgies make wonderful pets and first birds for children and beginner aviculturists. They come in a mind-boggling array of colors, are hardy, easily socialize, and the males are capable of speaking. Actually, budgies are the third-best talkers in the parrot family!

I maintain a breeding flock of both American and English varieties. American parakeets are the "wild-type" birds - they are the same size and physical conformation as their wild ancestors in Australia. The English variety have been selectively bred in captivity since perhaps the Renaissance. Their form has been changed to be much larger than their wild ancestors - anywhere from 2-3 times the size of a normal budgie. They have a regal appearance and hold themselves with grace. Their bodies, and particularly the heads, are extremely feathery - so much so that a mature English bird can have its eyes all but obscured by profuse feathering! English birds tend to be a bit more laid-back than the American variety, and they are said to be excellent talkers - perhaps even better than American budgies.

American Budgies:

Female lutino parakeet. Lots of personality here! $20.

#136 Dilute green female. $20

#140 Blue opaline male. SOLD

#142 Cobalt blue male $25. This guy's a real sweety!

#143 Opaline blue - male. $25

#144 Opaline green female. $20

#145 Lavender/grey female. $20

#146 Lavender/grey. Looks female. $20

#147 Dilute green female $20

#148 Cobalt. Sex undetermined. $20

#149 Opaline green - male $25

#150 Classic blue baby. Sex undetermined, $20

#152 - Blue opaline male. $25

English Budgies: See more information about English budgies above. These are the same species as regular petstore parakeets, but they have been bred for generations as show birds for their fluffy plumage, regal bearing, and gentle disposition. All of my English budgies are close banded and handfed. None of my budgies are inbred or heavily linebred. Many English budgies suffer from a reduced lifespan as a result of unscrupulous breeding practices amongst some hobbyists in order to produce huge, "show-ready" birds. My English birds are completely outcrossed and bred for health and vigor as well as size and appearance.

Babies being handfed now and more birds on eggs. Only a very select few will be available in the coming months. All babies are close banded and handfed. They're very tame, sweet, and more laid back in general than the American budgies, and males are said to have even better talking ability.

**Please keep in mind that newly-weaned young birds will not be full size. It takes English budgies time to grow to full size and into their adult plumage.

#116 Green English baby. $45 Looks male

#118 Green English baby. $45 Looks male

#119 Green English baby. Looks male $45

#012 Grey male (split cinnamon). Hatched early July. I have decided to keep one of his brothers back as a breeder, so this guy is for sale. $40

#122 Green spangle baby. Now weaned and ready for a home. Looks female. Full sibling to #126 below.  $50

#126 Grey spangle baby. Now weaned and ready for a home. $50

#127 Gray spangle male. $50

#128 Gray spangle. $50

#130-09. Dark green baby. Big baby. $50.

#133-09 Violet spangle budgie. $50

 Lovebirds:

Lovebirds are small west African parrots with personalities as colorful as their plumage. Lovebirds are very social and the bond strongly with people or other birds. Lovebirds are clownish and constantly active. They relish puzzles, foraging opportunities, and shreddable toys. Lovebirds can live into their teens with good care. It is a myth that lovebirds must be kept in pairs in order to be happy. If a prospective owner is looking for a pet bird, I recommend only one lovebird. Lovebirds bond strongly and if you choose to get a baby, you will become his/her world. Lovebirds need daily interaction in order to remain sweet and tame. If a pair is purchased, the owner should expect the birds to be somewhat more bonded to each other than to the owner. However, if the birds are interacted with consistently and the wings are kept clipped, oftentimes the pair will remain tame. Females will usually become cage territorial when they go into breeding mode, but males can remain tame all the time. I have a 4 year old pair of breeders that are still tame and handleable when not on eggs or babies.

No lovebirds currently available. I now only have one pair of lovebirds so there will only be one or two clutches per year. Email me if you'd like to be put on a contact list.

Cockatiels: Cockatiels are small parrots from Australia and are distantly related to the much larger cockatoos. Cockatiels have a feathery "crest" on the top of the head that indicates the bird's mood. Cockatiels make wonderful companion birds and when handfed and handled regularly, they stay very tame, even if kept in pairs or groups. Cockatiels are popular companion parrots for a variety of reasons, including their small size, economical cost, and gentle dispositions. Male cockatiels can learn to whistle songs and mimic sounds very well, and occasionally a male can learn a few words. Females typically do not whistle as well, but I find them to be more snuggly and docile than males. Cockatiels come in a variety of colors including normal gray, cinnamon, pearl, pied, whiteface, lutino, yellowcheek, and many combinations of these colors. My cockatiels are priced at $50 (for normal grays) and up, depending on the mutation. They are all closed banded and handfed, unless otherwise noted.

Cockatiels available. I am handfeeding:

*Normal greys - 3 greys left. Two are definitely male, one is undetermined

.*Lutinos (all are definitely female - 2 unrelated clutches). 3 lutinos left - one is a high yellow pearl lutino.

*Pearls - 3 pearls left.

Example photos below. Baby cockatiels are $55 each.

Pacific Parrotlets

Called "pocket parrots," these tiny guys pack lots of personality. Parrotlets frequently display behaviors akin to their much larger cousins. Parrotlets are highly intelligent, active little birds that need lots of toys and mental stimulation to stay happy. Parrotlets can be trained to do tricks and many learn to talk in their little robotic voices. A handfed parrotlet can be a wonderful companion bird and they're quiet enough for even the smallest apartment. Parrotlets are sexually dimorphic, with males having blue on their wings and females lacking this coloration.

Now available for deposit:

Green female parrotlet (split to blue and yellow). $100. Weaned and ready to go.

Yellow female parrotlet (split to blue) $130. Weaned and ready to go.

Yellow male parrotlets (split to blue) $130 each

Parrotlet babies as of 11-27-09.

 

If you are interested in any of the birds/chicks on this page, email me and let me know. I can provide you with an update and an idea of when the birds will be available. Email me at andreascritters@gmail.com