My birdies are a happy little group.

I have had Piper for about nine months, Emma about seven months, and Silver three months.

The last time I had a pet bird was when I was a child. So, all of this is somewhat new to me.

I have been very touched recently with the developing relationship between me and the birds. They know our daily routines, and they expect things to happen pretty much on schedule. They really trust me. They may or may not want to come onto my arm or hand at any particular time, but that doesn't mean they don't trust me. I can do anything in their cage, and they are not bothered by my hand being in there, as long as I'm not trying to get them to perch on it.

I usually refresh their seeds and pellets in the morning and in the early evening. Now, I am finding that when it is about time for their evening feeding they stand on top of the cage looking at me and (especially Piper) start chirping loudly.

I go out in the kitchen. They quiet down a bit. Then, when they hear me opening the jar they chirp excitedly. When I come back through the door they are looking expectantly at me, and start making their way down into the cage. I feed them in a large flat bowl in the bottom of the cage. I love watching them eat together. They are SO cute. Silver eats nonstop. Emma takes a bite or two then backs up and looks around then goes back for another.

When they have eaten they hang out in the cage for a bit before making their way up to their favorite sleeping perches.

In the morning I call out "Where are my birdies?" They start chirping, and I start taking the cover off. I open the door. Each one comes out and comes onto my arm. Then s/he gets a sunflower seed. We do this two or three times.

They play for about an hour. Then, I refresh their seeds. They go back in and I close them up until I come back from whatever I am doing outside the house that day. When I get home, they come out for more playtime. Then, I put their toys up on top of the cage.

This has been a gradual change. When I first had them, I didn't feel that they related to me much at all. I wanted them to come to me, and they didn't want to. I am not sure exactly when the change happened, but now I feel I am part of the flock.

That is a very good routine. In the morning, I always walk in and go "hiiiiiiiii". Then Beaker will hiss at me (that's how he says hi. He is a grumpy boy) and Jaid says "kiss kiss". The budgies just stare at me. Sometimes if one is in a good mood he will jump to the front to greet me.

The way to a bird's heart is through its stomach lol.

My birds know when to expect food. They all know whether I am holding a bowl full of empty seeds, or a fresh batch of food. Aren't they so smart?