While I was in the process of establishing my business and starting my studio work, I decide to take in a budgie from a close friend who had to relocate to a care facility. Due to safety concerns, as budgies should not mix with a flock of lovebirds, I keep him with me in the studio every day. So this budgie becomes my companion in the studio.
Shortly after moving in with me in my studio, he gradually gains the courage to leave his cage for some flying time. Throughout the day, he sings and plays, occasionally venturing out of his cage, having previously been confined to it. I make sure to talk to him daily while I work, and we also share lunch time together. Despite his lack of human interaction in his previous home, he used to happily entertain himself with toys all day. However, I believe that birds benefit from frequent communication, so I started talking to him regularly after adopting him, even while he played with his toys. I keep the cage door open while working, allowing him the freedom to fly if he chooses. It's during this time that I begin to notice a peculiar behaviour, distinct from that of my lovebirds.
Every 20-30 minutes, he began chirping loudly to grab my attention. I initially assumed he was just seeking more interaction, given his limited human contact before I adopted him. When I glanced to my left, I saw him perched on top of his cage, looking at me expectantly. If I tried to focus on my tasks, his chirping intensified. With each glance, he drew closer. Eventually, he ventured onto my desk, sharing the keyboard with my fingers, pecking as I typed, and squawking louder. Amid my email writing or blog post preparation, he buzzed my head closely, clearly trying to communicate something!
Even more surprisingly, this behaviour of his only manifests when I'm working on my computer, and not when I'm at my drawing board or painting table.
From the moment he started behaving in this manner to catch my attention, it immediately brought memories of my late sister Tracie. She used to interrupt me while I was deeply engrossed in studying or working at my computer, switching off the lights, pulling me away from my chair, and insisting that I join her for a cup of tea and a chat! None of my excuses worked with her: she wouldn't entertain my explanations such as "I have an exam tomorrow morning!" or "I'm in the middle of solving this equation, just give me 5 more minutes!" No, you must come right NOW! She yanked me off my chair so often, that it became a recurring joke between us: "You must come right... NOW!" We howled with laughter and it always succeeded in getting me out of my work focus and onto the couch for a pleasant break with her and a cup of tea. I always felt refreshed and grateful I had taken the break, as I returned to my tasks, wondering why I hadn't taken a break sooner.
I strongly believe this bird has taken on the role that my dear sister used to perform so faithfully, reminding me to take a break from my work! I relied on her in the past, and now I find solace in this precious bird, perhaps even more than he relies on me! The way he attentively watches me when I cease working, engage with him, and converse with him is remarkable. Similar to break times with my sister, these interactions leave me feeling at ease and less stressed when I return to my tasks, prompting me to ponder why it's such a challenge to take a break in the first place. This providential connection I seem to have stumbled upon leaves me further intrigued when I observe how fascinated he is by the shiny tea cup that my sister left for me.
I strongly believe that this bird has assumed the role that my beloved sister used to fulfill diligently, reminding me to pause from my work. I used to rely on her in the past, but now I find comfort in this precious bird, perhaps even more than he depends on me. The way he The way he attentively watches me when I stop working, interact with him, and converse with him is extraordinary. Like my sister, these interactions leave me feeling relaxed and less tense when I go back to my tasks, prompting me to question why taking a break is such a challenge. This serendipitous bond that I appear to have stumbled upon further intrigues me, especially as he seems captivated by the shiny tea cup my sister left for me.
Even though I have introduced a small budgie companion for him to keep him company when my work takes me out of studio, yet with this new company that he loves, he has not stopped insisting on gaining my undivided attention just like before! This I find significant for a bird who had very little human interaction and attention prior to me adopting him, despite always being a cheerful little bird.
I've come to understand that this tiny soul is not only seeking my attention. Just like my sister, he persists until I completely stop what I'm doing at the computer, turn around, and engage in conversation with him for a bit, essentially demanding, "Have a little tea with me!" This is no coincidence. My response has become, "Shall we do tea, then?"
Comments