I got a beautiful budgie a month ago, and we named him Inyoni (the zulu word for bird). He was supposed to be hand-reared, but I suspected from the beginning that he hadn't been. He's been terrified of my hand from the start, and has never gotten used to it. I have sat with my hand in that dang cage until I've gone numb, but he still scares and flees if I approach him. He seems pretty agressive - I would go so far as to say that he's been mean at times.

 

He has taken to sitting on the floor of the cage sleeping all day, despite the fact that he has toys and a regular bird bath. I have gotten so worried about him that I went and got him a mate today (named her Ndege - Swahili for bird). I'm hoping that this solves the problem with Inyoni, otherwise I may have to find a new home for him, since I need tame birds that will handle children well!

 

I got a bigger cage for the pair of them, and I put the new bird in the new cage, before I introduced Inyoni to the cage. They kept their distance at first, and now I am seeing them on the side of the cage together. It looks like they're "french kissing" (for want of a better description!) but they get quite aggressive and begin to peck at each other. They then separate and hang out at opposite ends of the cage. Inyoni is currently comfortably nestled on the perch, while the new bird is hanging onto the side of the cage in the corner at the top!

 

What behavior is normal? What should I watch out for to protect the new bird, if neccessary?

 

Thank you so much!

They are trying to feed each other and they are probably frustrated that is why they seem to get agitated. I wouldn't put the cages together because they can also bite and injury toes and maybe beaks. It would be better to put them together out of the cage what is what I did with Merlin and Pretty. Pretty would when run up to Merlin get all big and fluffy, start bobbing his head and then try to feed him this is all normal. I kept them apart at night but never put the cages side by side. I hope that helps.

I would see the beak tapping as checking each other out and trying to work out which is top dog ( or bird in this case) Sitting in teh corner of the cage is normal for a new bird in a new area, they feel safe in a corner.

 

He has taken to sitting on the floor of the cage sleeping all day

this is normally a sign of illness, even more so if they are sitting or sleeping all fluffed up. Do you have an avain vet? or one you trust with birds?