Yesterday was my middle sons 8th birthday and he wanted a young budgie. So we troop down to the bird dealer get this pretty little pied girl and take her home. Great little personality but a real biter, has drawn blood on me already (wench). Now my question is, I've done alot of taming from budgies through to Sulphers. Finn is concerned about her savage nip. If I tame her down a bit more, will she still bond with my son? I'm okay to deal with the biting, he isn't so sure. This is his bird not mine. If we don't get her sorted out then I'll end up dealing with her and having to pair her up down the track, but at the same time if I force him to sort it I'm concerned that it will damage his confidence with her and therefore future bond between them. Any thoughts?

I think that you should help with the taming. You son is only 8 and i'm sure his little fingers would be much more sensitive to a budgies vice grip.

Work with her with your son around, but if he is worryed about being biten right now I would use the stick training, many don't talk about it nowday but it's worked for me. It's the same as getting them to step up on your finger but you use a small dowel stick (or anything you like) She gets the interaction and the training to step up on cammand but no little fingers are in the way to be bitten. Later when she is gentler swap the stick for a finger. Also you could adding in some finger stepping every now and then so she get use to both ways.

Quick update. Took Milly out, she went to bite and I softly blew in her face. Got the hint very quickly. Used a piece of dowel and fingers, Finn did the same thing and she's being an absolute delight. Snuggled up on his shoulder, played in his hair. She's clicked to the idea of 'step up'. I took some photos of them, batteries went flat on the camera so I'll post them once the batteries are charged. Thanks for your suggestions. Looks like the beginning of a lovely relationship.

great to hear You might not even have a problem the biting before might have just been from the fear of a new place.

I agree with it all, just make sure he is doing equal share because Pretty knows he can pretend nip at the kids and not at me - they learn fast what they can and can't do.

The bird should bond with whoever spends the most time with her. So, if you tame her a bit, and then your son takes over, he should still be able to bond to her.

After 3 days all is going well with Miss Milly. She and Finn adore each other. I've forced myself to but out of things by having Olly (my lorikeet) out at the same time so I don't interfere. She's an absolute nutter, real little character. Finn thinks she's gorgeous and I gotta admit, she's pretty damn cute.

Sounds wonderful. Cant wait for the photos

Sounds like thinks are going well!!! Congrats and good on you for leaving it up to your son!! Looks like they will have a wonderful relationship!!