Parakeet Hope Says No to Nest

Hope and Happy, my feathered friend and family are parakeets.

Happy courted Hope. He was solicitous, attentive and charming. He worked to capture Hope's affection.

Now Hope has become the 'alpha parakeet' if you will.
I will put birdseed on my hand to eat.  If Happy settles on my palm first, Hope will run him off. Sometimes she will allow him to return but only briefly.  The will both be on my hand eating seed and she will chase him off.

Poor Happy is being nagged.

They have a mirror, toys, a bell and string to untie.  And Hope unties the string.

Recently I provided a nest for the pair.  I included nesting materials to add to the twig nest. 

And Hope is methodically disassembling the nest.  Yesterday and much to fast for a photo capture, Happy decided to help.  He perched on the nest and pulled at a twig with his beak.

Hope flew over and chastised him - forced him to move to the other side of the cage.

Does this mean Hope doesn't want to be a mommy? Or is she a bully.  I don't know. But I do know that sweet Hope is doing her best to make sure Happy is not always Happy.

Here is a photo of a recent shunning.

Sunday Morning with the Family

Yesterday was a lazier than usual day.  I worked a craft show Saturday and was extremely tired, sore and just worn out.  The family understands.  We try to go outside each morning before it gets too hot.  Sunday I woke up later than usual, so it wasn't dark. I thought I’d grab a few photos of the family.
MG said, "Hey, me! Here I am."  
Reply, “MG, I already have a pretty nice pic of you.”
MG, “Don't take a picture of her, take one of ME."
J said, "I so glad we are outside. Are you going to pack boxes up again today or can we play.  Hey - don't you dare take my picture. See how fast I can turn around?"
JB, “Thank you for rescuing me from the yard and bringing out a cushion. Grumble, grunt.”
C, “Guess what I found? Water and mud. Cool, huh?”  A added, “I am so above all of this.”
    
P, “Are you taking a picture of me? Does my tongue make me look fat?”
Hope enjoyed the millet and relegated Happy to the other side of the cage.  She was not in the mood to share.
And I say, I love my family and enjoyed the morning with the dogs and birds.  The fish did not get to come outside.