My dad had a parrot called Chubby. For the less observant of you yes, Chubby Brown. It didn't talk but liked to 'talk'. My dad loved him and Chubby used to go around the house with my dad and snuggle up to my dads beard. Chubby died 3 years ago (he was just old) and my dad looked so miserable without him. I offered to buy him another one and my dad said "Rich, son, Chubby was my friend. He lived a few years longer than parrots usually do. Not only can I not replace him but if I did then the new parrot would out live me and who would look after it then? Besides, I miss Chubby. Not the parrot" I asked my dad "Is there anything I can do to cheer you up?" He said "I'm not sad. I miss him sure but I just keep remembering how much fun he was to have with me. If you want to cheer me up... I'll have a cup of tea" I call my dad every Thursday morning just to make sure he is ok and so that he knows he is not alone.

I just read an article about how so many parrots, budgies and all assortment of birds are being given up in great numbers rapidly since the increase of work from home happened. That's just awfully sad. We took one in ourselves, she was a family pet for 7 years but apparently she is too chirpy and interupting zoom meetings so they gave her the boot! We brought her home and found her a partner and fortunately they adore each other, all the chirping makes our home feel very alive and it is our great honor to care for them.

Never keep them alone. Budgies needs company. We have 12 of them (8 are rescues) and they are allowed to fly around in the entire home. Yes, they can be destructive and can be loud. Especially when in a swarm. But these are lovely animals and they can bring a lot of joy into your life

Again, this is so heartbreaking and true. Budgies are the sweetest and happiest little souls. I had two when I was a child / teenager and I still miss them. They need a lot of attention and playtime and should never ever be kept alone. My Susi followed me everywhere and always wanted to share birdie kisses. Nicky just wanted to snuggle under my hair and sleep. They were the cutest little things. I had them for a long, long time and when Nicky died, it broke my heart to see how lonely Susi was. Though she always preferred me as her companion, she missed Nicky just badly. She went from a playful and happy bird to a very, very sad one. It almost broke my heart but I gave her to my grandma who had three budgies at that time. Susi never became the same but it got better. She's gone now for over 20 years but I still miss her and dream of her. If there is a life after death I hope I will meet all my little furry and feathered friends again.

I cried again

I have a coworker who has three birds. Two are budgies and one is a little green parrot with a red tail feather. She loves them all. This comic made me sad as always though. It's true, birds aren't just fads. They also may outlive you as well.

My friend has two parrots that keep each other company, they have the entire house to themselves and only go to their cage at night and when they need to go. Her back door leads to a large garden with a clear dome around it for the birds. Though this isn't anything like their natural habitat, it is not a dirty cramped cage, it is a reasonable healthy amount of space and a clean one too. There are 8 members of their family, all of them help take care of the birds. Grandma, grandpa, uncle, mom, step dad, two older step sisters and her. The birds names are Mango and Melon, they are siblings and were abused by their past owners (wings clipped, feathers pulled, etc). They had so many scars mentally and physically. Both had severe trust issues when first meeting their new owners, and even attempted to nip at their fingers to keep them away. They are on a road to recovery and have made so much progress, they learned that this new family was a read one and it makes me so happy to know that.

Cuts straight to the heart

I once had a cockatiel, he was great, but had picked all his feathers off when I first met him. He'd been dumped on the guy I was working for, who also didnt care. So I took him home. Put him in my studio, where I spent the most time. Let him fly around during the day. Introduced him to good seeds, and fruits. Started eating up there so I could share with him. Within weeks he was fully feathered again, but only got a pinch of white millet as a treat each day. Instead of it being his entire diet when I got him. He even fell in love with the 2 cats I allowed in the studio when I was working. They never tried to get him. But he liked to sit on them and sing.

This is so heartbreakingly sad. Budgies are treated like disposable pets. I love mine. I have them in groups because they love their friends. And I don't care if they "Sing the Song Of Their People" while I watch tv, it's their voice. Plus they fly free and have some fun. Most people don't realize that budgies in the pet stores are mass produced and have no human contact until they are handled to be sold. They are hard to train and MOST people do not know how. So sad.

I have cute little bird called Tycho, now Cos it’s spring he keeps regurgitating everywhere but we still love the little grotty boy

I like birds, but I am allergic to their dander (and they make a LOT of it!). I would very much like to have a little budgie fren (or two!) to hang out with me in my bedroom, but alas, I cannot. :( And second on the cavies/guinea pigs. They make the most adorable little "WHOOOOOPWHOOPWHOOPWHOOP" noises when they're happy. But they can get loud about it. My advice to people who are looking to get a pet is to look up videos of them online and listen to the noises they make. And listen to them for hours. If you can deal with the noise that long, you can deal with the pet making it.

I have 2 little budgies myself and I'll admit; this comic made me cry. I researched and waited for the right time, for 5 years before buying one. The thought of doing this to them or to any bird just hurts my soul.

I originally had 2 budgies before our family friend couldnt take care of their budgie so now we have 3 budgies. they are always singing and happy. i love them so so much! i spend time with them every day. It makes me so sad to see that people treat their pets like this. birds are social animals. I will (hopefully) never give my budgies away

My budgies lived with me for years and years. 1 lived 8 years, 1 lived 13. Together they had 23 babies who all had loving homes. Daddy could talk, and loved to snuggle. Mom was not so friendly, had come from an outdoor aviary and never got to love people. But we all loved her. Chipper could make modem noises, said hey cutie, peek a boo, i love you, gimme a kiss... yeah, it took ages, but he was a fun little guy.

Well if you choose to own any pets, it's 100% your responsibility to do as many research as you possibly can. If you get it to torture it unintentionally, cause of ignorance, it's wrong. If you do so to torture it intentionally, it's sick. You simply can't get worse than that.

I name the bird in this comic whistler, In memory of his beautiful singing

That comic was… beautiful and horrible at the same time.

And this is why, ladies and gentlemen, you don't give your spoiled daughter a bird because she likes it and then neglect the poor animal because you didn't do anything about it.

Our budgie is with us for about a year now. I love hearing him chirp happily, cause I know that I'm doing things right. Yes, it's a responsibility. What people need to understand is that they have their own mind and will. You can't give a budgie orders like a dog, you can't have it do what you want the time you want it. He will do whatever he wants and if you try to force him, yes, he'll bite. That's his nature. Parrots consider the people they live with as equal. He considers himself equal to everyone else. So we try to do our best to make him happy and feel free to do whatever he wants. He's not the destroying type - he doesn't shred papers, he doesn't pick on things... He likes listening to music and hanging around with us. Parrots need company, don't leave them alone. They are highly sensitive and emotional. They can get depression. It's not easy for them to adapt to a new space. Give them time and love and be patient.

I don’t believe any animal should be caged. If your pet needs a cage then it isn ‘t a pet, it’s a prisioner.

I have a budgie 23 months old and he has brought great joy. I did not realise how clever they are. Mine does not talk but he understands what I say and he loves to chirp in time to music. I let him out of his cage every week to fly around and he gets back in when he is ready. He sometimes perches on me and I have taught him to give me a small bite that I call a kiss.

This comic hit me hard... I had a budgie named Sky, she passed away several years ago at the age of 7. I had to take her to the vet after her cloaca prolapsed and the anesthesia took her. I've always felt guilty about it, wondering if I could have done something different...I still miss her

I'd love to have a bird but I wouldn't have the heart to cage it.

I would’ve listened for hours and spoken the love you needed

I am bird. I am sad. I respect bird.

I'd have Death give him a new name...and show him another place where he could sing and fly and be granted the happiness he never knew in life.

😭😭😭

"Can we end human civilization" Dude that's... those are... I...

I'm trying to convince my dad to let us get a parrot. Despite how hard they are, they're really nice. My friend has a bird who plays with the dogs and dances.

damn you for making me cry in class! :')