Munin died :(

[fireintheblood]

I recently bought 2 male budgies from the pet store. I had them for about three weeks. They were very sweet--played together and fed each other. They were dropped off by a couple who had adopted them from another store and after not cleaning or feeding them decided they were too much trouble. I brought them home and I got along with the yellow one very well (I hadn't named them yet) but the blue one was skittish and didn't seem to like me much. I was invited to a late movie with some friends and so I asked my mom to check on my birds for me before bed (She grew up with budgies and babysits for me, which is cool) because I wasn't sure if I'd be home that night. She checked on them at about 7pm and they were eating together and acting normal. I got home at about 1am and the yellow one (who I named Munin post-mortem) was lying dead on the bottom of the cage. I checked him over for any sign or reason for death. He was still warm when I picked him up. He wasn't bleeding, no lumps, no bugs, no runny droppings in the cage, no loose feathers, nothing stuck in his mouth--I checked for anything I could think of.

The blue one, who I now call Hugin (my friends helped me pick out the names while we were hanging out) has been very depressed and stressed. He still doesn't like me and I haven't seen him eat all day. I moved the mirror from the bottom perch to the corner one where he sits all the time while I was cleaning the cage. I heard birds can die from lonliness and I thought that might help. He sings to himself when no one's in the room (but he's silent when anyone comes near him which isn't normal) and he lethargically ate some milliet one of the times I offered it to him.

I lost my grandmother recently and so I know what it's like to lose someone you're so close to but we never bonded and I don't know what I can do for him. Any advice?

Thanks for reading,
Dena

[Babyluv12]

Well, first off I'm sorry to hear about Munin..and your grandma.
I know your intent was to give them a good home and never expected him to pass so quickly. The first thing I would recommend is to have Hugin checked up and make sure he is not ill. After that, you can get another budgie so he can have a friend (just make sure you quarantine).

[Flingo]

sorry about your grandmother and munin, that is sad i actually feel like crying now. i had a budgie called Flingo and then we got Tweety then Flingo died, Tweety lived on her wn for a while then we got another called Milo and Tweety has been as happy as ever

[Nikoletta]

Oh Dena I am very sorry.. Death is so cold and hard.. :(
Babyluv12 is right, after checking about Hugin's health, you can get another budgie for company. Don't forget the quarantine period.

[havecoolkids]

sorry to hear about your gram and your beloved munin. It is sad. I got a budgie and three days later it died of heart issues. There are no guarantees with birds.

The people on here are awesome. They give sound and great advice/suggestions. Get the other one checked and get it a new mate.

Just keep talking to Hugin and put your hand in the cage so it can get use to your smell and realize you are not going to hurt it. I have sometimes played music on the radio while putting my hand in the cage. They get so interested in the music that they don't realize they are sitting on your hand. Then gradually wean off the music. Perhaps the music will ease his mind. I wouldn't pick anything loud or bangy though. Keep the levels low and soft. Hope it helps.

[pal0m1n0]

I am also sorry to hear about your grandmother and munin. Were you close to your grandmother?

[Adottybird]

I am sorry to hear of your Grandmothers passing and your Munin. As no human can be sure of what a budgie feels, but for sure they need time to adjust to change and the loss of a budgie friend. I too would have Hugin check out by a vet to make sure there is nothing going on. Once that is done you can think about what you are going to do next. Get another budgie, try and make better friends with Hugin. In the mean time do give Hugin extra time and treats and leave a radio on to a talk station if you are out for the day. Hope Hugins spirit will pick up.

[fireintheblood]

Thanks so much for all the support and advice, it has been a great help! I just got back from the vet with Hugin and he has an intestinal infection and not enough protien in his diet (I didn't know birds could eat meat stuff or that they would even need it, I feel terrible) so I have medicine and more fruity pebble looking pellet stuff for him to eat. The vet said to wait a while after his meds are gone and see if he's still doing well, then bring him in for a routine check-up. If he's healthy at that point she said there would be nothing airborne that a new bird would catch and I could then start considering a second bird with the quarentine system and all that.
I turned on the radio for him during the day today and he really enjoyed that. I spent time just hanging out and talking to him when he would sing and he actually started to mimic me! He took some fod from my hand and let me hold him while the vet listened for his heartbeat. We have bonded very well today and I hope it continues. The vet did warn me to be prepared in case Hugin unfortunately passes away so I'll try not to get my hopes up too much for a while.
I also found out that he really enjoyed watching the TV in the waiting room so I may put the TV back in for him as well. :)

To answer about my gram, we were very close. She had gotten to a point where she couldn't get up and down stairs and stuff, but she was really fiercely independant. She came to live with us and I helped her get around the house and she taught me how to cook. I often carried her to the car and pushed her chair through the store so that she could still shop and stuff like she usually did. I even carried her casket at the funeral. It's been tough and I really appreciate all the kindness.
I'm really glad I still have Hugin and I hope he turns out okay. I'd really like to get him another friend, he's more of a bird-bird than a people-bird.

Thanks again everyone!
--Dena

[Budgiekin]

It sounds like the vet visit was well worth it and you know what the problem is with Hugin. That must be a bit of a relief. I really hope he makes a full recovery...I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you and Hugin. ;)

I am very sorry to hear about Munin and your grandma too...

[clifff123]

Sorry to hear about Munin, RIP Munin