Budgie allopreening question

[kadeconure]

Hi budgie people! This is semi an update and semi a question post.

My 2 budgies, Mae and Shane, have been living in the same room in separate cages over a month now. I let them out together everyday for varying amounts of time. They've really bonded, they're always together when they're out, if I let only one out they just go and sit on top of the other's cage. They've also started feeding each other. One thing I find kind of weird though, they don't preen each other. They sit and preen about an inch apart, but only ever touch when they're feeding each other. Is this normal for budgies? I'm, not really concerned, I just expected preening to be something that would happen pretty quickly if they got along (maybe cause I'm used to cuddly conures). Do they just need more time, will they start preening each other when they share a cage?

 

[kadeconure]

(Picture tax, with bribes because Shane never sits still)

 

[Sparkles99]

Only very close budgie buddies will preen each other. I’ve had 11 budgies, max 10 at once, & of those many will feed each other, but only two preen each other. Marigold & Hickory (both male) are adorable together! They preen around each other’s eyes, beaks, etc. Seldom have I seen such cuteness! But they won’t let me photograph them. And I get hard stares from all of them when I try.