I've got a bit of variety in my birds. I have 2 Congo African Grey Parrots, 3 Cockatiels, 2 doves, 1 Peach Face Lovebird, 1 Turquosine Parakeet, 1 Bourkes Parakeet and 1 Quail. Every one has his or her own unique personality.

That sounds like great fun! I've never heard of those kinds of parakeets. I've had parakeets in the house since I was born, but they were always ordinary parakeets <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> What are yours like?

I'm not sure why, but for some reason in the U.S., Budgerigars (or Budgies) are know as parakeets (or keets). In reality there are dozens of different Parakeets. You can see these two at my website at www.geocities.com/mavimet/Tim.html

It's because they're little parrots <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Sort of like calling a cat a kitty <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Those are lovely pictures! I didn't know budgies (which I believe stands for 'good to eat' in Aborigine) came in other but the shell-wing variety. Do the others come from Australia too?

The other types of parakeets (the kinds that I have) are not budgies. Budgies come in many different colours and may (or may not) have the shell wings. My Turquosine, Mark
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We have a blue fronted amazon called Maggie. We got Maggie from a breeder at 3mths old,she is a solid all round great bird. After doing lots of research, we waited patiently to bring her home. I cannot believe how attached we have become. Maggie loves to show off and is so verbal,laughing talking which is getting more clear the older she gets. Also letting me know when she wants her own way. Just like a child. She loves the van and going on trips.
Dawn

I think my "inside" birds are what got me interested in wildbirds. I have a Senegal, named Pete, and now have my grandmothers cockatiel, named Baby. Pete has a good size vocabulary and imitates all the household noises, including the cat and dog. I think he's trying to teach Baby to say more than "pretty bird". They just love each other and raise a racket when the mailman comes, or the doorbell rings. Baby has been used to eating just seed, so I'm trying to introduce him to new things, like oranges and apples. Not much luck so far, but he will chew on crackers now, and had a good time shredding a celery stick. Any suggestions on what I can tempt him with? I don't think strickly seed is the best diet for a cockatiel.

HI Bayberry,
well don't worry I am sure mavis will pop by and help you out, as she has cockatiels. I do know that Baby should have a variety of food, which I am sure at first will be difficult, keep trying I am sure Baby will come across something that peaks his interest, once that happens hopefully he will go for more. Your already ahead with him eating the crackers now. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Good Luck Dawn

That's a gorgeous picture! So are all parakeets of the same "type" or is it just a generic name for little parrot-like birds?

As far as getting birds to eat other than seeds, it's definitely important. I find my parakeets want to eat whatever I'm eating. So eat things like corn in front of them and it shouldn't be long before they want to try it too.

One of our parakeets really loves pizza and will jump in with both feet <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Certainly eating in front of your bird & making a fuss about how good it is, is often a good way of introducing new foods to your bird. Since you already have a bird who eats a variety of foods, offering some to Pete first may also convince Baby to give it a try. Because a cockatiel has a small beak & doesn't pick up their food in their feet like many other birds do, make sure you offer samples in small pieces. Above all, just keep offering a variety, because one day, Baby will suddenly decide that this is good stuff.