taming a budgie

[alistair]

Does anyone know how to tame a budgie.Its a female and im able to put my hand up to it without it flying away.And does anyone know if its normal for a new budgie to not eat and chirp much when its brought into a new environment

 

[Dagna]

Well, i'm not sure on taming a budgie, I've never really been able to tame any of mine much more than what you're doing. And it's pretty normal for a budgie to not sing and chirp much if it's alone. Budgies are really social animals and shouldn't really be kept alone since they can become depressed. I would imagine also that being in a new environment can be kind of a stress as well on the bird, so that might be it also. I'm sure there's more knowledgable bird people on here though that can give you some more info.

 

[country woman]

It is easy if you have the time. At first your new budgie wants to be alone to check out her new home over the next few days put your hand slowly in the cage and try to coax her to get used to your hand being in the cage then put your finger near the perch and slowly slide it under her belly she should step on your hand and talk quietly while doing this. In time you will have a tame bird. Good luck with your new friend. I have had Lucca my budgie for 4 or 5 years.

 

[awashinlove]

Does anyone know how to tame a budgie.Its a female and im able to put my hand up to it without it flying away.And does anyone know if its normal for a new budgie to not eat and chirp much when its brought into a new environment

It's normal for your bird to be quiet for a few days - you've just turned her life upside down. In time, be it a few days or a few weeks, if your bird is healthy and happy more sound than two birds create should pop out. However, I'm sure she's eating as it takes barely 24 hours for small, young parrots to lose more than half of their body weight. If your bird is eating seed the hulls may very well just give the appearance of being untouched. Small beaks can pop the shells and remove the edible portion effortlessly without even a scratch to the seed. Many owners unknowingly starve their little feathered friends because of this. Seed needs to be changed twice daily, even if you don't think it's been eaten.

As for taming, countrywoman is right on.

One quick warning: bear with your little bird if you got him/her from a pet store, not a breeder or a rescue. Pushing them too fast can result in a fatal panic attack. These creatures are so tiny, and go from being with their close-knit flock to being handled by something new and massive who has no ability to communicate with them. Imagine yourself being picked up and prodded by something whose thumb is the only thing you could rival in height! We can't even picture it. Not only that, many parrots' from pet stores first experience is to have their only means of survival destroyed ... their wings get clipped! These birds of prey have their instinct to flee in full force, and nothing's been done to offset the idea that you're going to harm them. You need to give your bird two or more weeks to just watch you and observe you in your home. Spend a few hours quietly talking to her through the bars of the cage, but don't open her door for anything more than feeding/watering purposes during this time. After a few weeks, if your bird is on a proper diet of pellets, fresh fruits and veggies, etc., then a really helpful thing to do is offer some millet from your hand. Budgies need several hours (no less than four, preferably more) of attention a day to feel safe and comfortable. Allow your bird time to play on a table stand placed on the floor or the top of her cage placed (temporarily) on the floor in a closed room, making sure all small openings are closed off. Sit on the floor talking with her while keeping your distance. If she flies, just cup your hands around her and return her to her to the stand/cage top. You may end up retrieving her a hundred times, however I find this time out of their cage but without forced contact with you makes the taming process of an untamed small parrot nearly twice as fast for the average bird. Remember, consistency is key!

A parakeet is no lesser of a commitment than a great big Macaw. The lower price just means they are easier for man to breed, nothing more. Good luck!

Blessings,
awashinlove

 

[BarbInArk]

You have gotten some great advice here. I just purchased 2 parakeets in April. Like you I was very worried about their lack of activity the first few days. The petshop people told me that one bird alone is easier to train than two or more birds kept together. I wanted to train my bird to sit on my finger, etc, but also thought I probably wouldn't be able to spend as much time with him as he needed for his happiness, so I bought two birds. They had their flight wings trimmed. As soon as they have grown back some new ones I will let them fly around this room that they are living in (with the door closed, of course). Enjoy your bird.

 

[country woman]

Thankyou awashinlove for the complement. I sometimes know what I am talking about. I have learnedover the years about birds and the care they need.

Tiki my love bird is getting used to us Tiki flies over to me and sits on my head then flies over to my daughter and lands on her shoulder and tries to take off her glasses. So funny to watch. Tiki is a joy to have.