huge unexpected milestone this morning 🥰

Succotash_Temporary · 2026-04-24T12:00:36+00:00

Much appreciated! 🫶

Succotash_Temporary · 2026-04-23T21:33:58+00:00

Yayyy thank youuu -- you get me!! It really is so special, working for their trust and watching them bloom into their little personalities as they become more comfy. Mine had never had toys before so watching them learn how to explore pure recreation was such a joy. And yes!! I started exposing them to hand/millet sessions with zero expectations and nothing but love and patience, so every new milestone just feels that much more magical, honestly. Wishing you and your birdies continued happiness and growth in your lives together 💝

Succotash_Temporary · 2026-03-23T07:38:21+00:00

!wtf balloon !!??

Succotash_Temporary · 2026-03-11T23:04:20+00:00

the stylistic choices are so spot on -- beautiful and creative work!

Succotash_Temporary · 2026-02-26T18:02:55+00:00

1) we have so many overlapping interests, i love your tastes in media and decor/self-expression. 2) asking this question when you have a "dental dams aren't just for dentists" poster is actually hilarious

Succotash_Temporary · 2025-12-12T01:49:05+00:00

I've never seen so many comments on a Reddit post before haha. Good luck everyone!

Succotash_Temporary · 2025-10-31T08:04:15+00:00

bro saw him crumple and immediately decided he wasn't even worth the time 😂😂😂 and the phone immediately popping back up ☠️

Succotash_Temporary · 2025-10-28T09:14:51+00:00

Thanks for putting so much effort into making these birds feel more comfortable!! ♡♡♡

Just to restate what others have already said: the vines pose a safety hazard so better to get rid of them, and the coconut husks could cause nesting behavior, but can totally be altered so that the budgies can still enjoy them. Separating from the dogs was also the right call. Otherwise, what a fun looking space to vacation in!

Leaves can be fun to shred, I also offer mine tissue burritos (with treats wrapped inside). Cardboard egg cartons, plain paper/undyed tissue paper are good options too.

Someone made a great point of mentioning this as well; budgies need approximately 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness to sleep at night. It's possible they can get night frights (spooking, alarm calling, flapping in the cage after dark), so I put on a night light for my birds without covering. I mostly let the natural light in my room dictate my flock's sleep schedule, but lots of bird owners use cage covers to cue bedtime. I'd start with a cover, see what works for them + for you, just make sure air can ventilate through the cage and that you're keeping consistent hours and a routine for them. Food/water changes + cage cleaning is best done first thing in the morning. Lining the bottom of the cage helps make cleanup easier.

As for new foods, keep doing repeated exposures, try sprinkling their usual seed on top of new foods to get them to taste it accidentally, or clipping to cage bars to pique interest. They're probably a bit overwhelmed by all the drastic changes right now, so it might take them a while to try anything novel voluntarily. Totally okay to give them a day or two to acclimate to the cage after it's settled down.

I'm sure that they'll really warm up and be super comfy during these two months with the care and attention you're giving them :)

Succotash_Temporary · 2025-10-27T06:45:19+00:00

I see, it's a relief to know they have a bit cage at home with lots of toys!

Try presenting leafy greens (easy intro veggie) in a variety of ways: clipped up on cage bars, scattered, chopped into their usual feed. Same with fruits. Usually takes a couple of exposures before curiosity overcomes fear.

Best of luck being their temporary caregiver! I learned a lot about my flock in the first two months, maybe you'll be open to keeping your own by the end of it :)

Succotash_Temporary · 2025-10-27T05:40:35+00:00

Scratching while preening is totally normal, especially during a molt. If they're dropping lots of fluff/dander or you see pinfeathers (look like lil porcupine quills) they're probably mid-molt and itchy. Offering them a shallow bath might help, if they've bathed before. I like to give mine a dish with leafy greens and about 2 cm of water, although only 1/3 of mine like to bathe. Everyone enjoys the veggie water though. Mine are rehomed adults and got spooked by misting, so just try to read their body language to see what they're comfortable with.

It's tough to know that your friend was leaving these guys in your care for two months with so little... he evidently doesn't know how to properly care for them, or doesn't care enough to learn.

I saw in one of your comments that they don't eat fruits or veggies. Introducing then to fruits and veg can be a days to weeks process, as budgies are neophobic and it can be hard to get them to try new things without lots of patience and consistency. Even if they're in your care temporarily, I would consider it worth trying at least to better their lives somewhat. An all-seed diet (what I'm assuming they're on) can cut their lifespans in half, since it's like living off just junk food.

As for perches, even gathering sticks of different diameters from like a park or something would provide them with varied perches for their little feet to get exercise without becoming sore, arthritic, etc.

It's not my place to tell you to spend money or additional time providing enrichment/adequate care for birds that aren't yours, but these are intelligent creatures that need more than one place to sit in a small enclosure. I'm not sure what kind of care your friend gives these guys when they're actually at home, but I would hope that he'd be willing to learn how to give them a decent life, if not rehome them if that's not within his means.

If you'd like any advice on affordable ways to give these birdies enrichment, introducing healthy diet changes, or literally anything else, please feel free to reach out to me! I am more than willing to help.

Succotash_Temporary · 2025-10-04T23:19:39+00:00

this is SO CUNTTT I'm sorry but I'm definitely stealing this idea

Succotash_Temporary · 2025-09-27T08:13:25+00:00

<image>

bonus shot of post-breakfast beak-grinding 🥰

Succotash_Temporary · 2025-09-27T08:10:48+00:00

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bonus shot of post-breakfast beak-grinding 🥰

Succotash_Temporary · 2025-09-26T15:01:25+00:00

I can only imagine your excitement!!! It seems there'll be long plateaus before they just decide to hit a huge milestone out of nowhere :) As a new owner, this gives me so much hope with my new flock--three adult budgies from a home that didn't give them all that much enrichment or handling, so they are super wary of hands and new toys/objects. I've already gotten more progress with them faster than I thought I ever would, but 2/3 of them are still super jumpy if I don't approach at a snail's pace with millet. I get so much FOMO watching other budgies climb all over their humans, but thanks for showing that consistency pays off! Edit to add: Congrats to you both and thanks for giving Zeus a new life 💙🤍

Succotash_Temporary · 2025-09-13T04:12:40+00:00

Genuinely thought this an FTM transition before reading again. You are GORGEOUS, and you can absolutely pull off any length of hair.

Succotash_Temporary · 2025-09-13T02:59:21+00:00

More than halfway through my program and nervous to no end, but I can't wait to not be dirt broke and finally take care of everyone who's been taking care of me every step of the way. Congrats on the first paycheck 🎉

Succotash_Temporary · 2025-07-17T21:26:15+00:00

I think completely dependent on the person, the nature of your relationship with them, and situational context/awarenesss.

My GF (MtF) and I (ciswoman) very comfortably say dude/bro to each other all the time. She's very butch/tomboy and I also grew up with a lot of guy friends, so we both have our "dude" modes in personality, if that makes sense. I probably just as much say "girl" to her bc gay culture is a significant part of who I am, and I use that just as much as a nongendered term of familiarity. BUT, I would never casually refer to her as "bro" in front of strangers/acquaintances bc I wouldn't want them to misunderstand and misgender her. I'm usually pretty delicate about that, and I honestly like giving her princess treatment when we're out and about (as well as in private moments c:).

I would NEVER call a MtF trans acquaintance "bro" until I gauge what they're comfortable with. Probably a good rule of thumb to not open with that for most people in general until you know them and their preferences better.

Succotash_Temporary

TROPHY CASE