In short, I live in an apartment. I have one budgie (girl) in a cage, happy little thing (about 6 months old) but totally untamable. Loves me while I keep my distance and seems to enjoy living solo. Got her from a petshop, dont think she was ever handled. My intention was to tame her and get her to love me but this has not happened and doesnt look like it ever will. She's terrified of my hand or anything I poke into the cage (I tried getting her to hop onto a stick but she still cowers). I've tried everything.

 

I am thinking seriously of getting another cage so that I can get a new baby (preferably boy) budgie who has perhaps been handled by a reputable breeder.

 

My questions.. where to place the cages (they're a nice size and on stands). Are budgies quite happy to be in separate cages where they can see/hear each other, or will this drive them mad trying to get to each other? Would it be better to put the cages close together where they COULD see each other, or in separate rooms so they could only hear the other budgie. Do you think two budgies could live quite happily in separate cages (I give them a lot of attention naturally)...or would that be kind of cruel???

 

I prefer not to put them together as then there is little chance of taming the new baby when I get him.

 

I would value some opinions before I go ahead.

where to place the cages (they're a nice size and on stands). ** the best place to put them in where you are most often like in the living room. Kitchens are too dangerous and bedrooms are too solitary.

 

Are budgies quite happy to be in separate cages where they can see/hear each other, or will this drive them mad trying to get to each other? It will drive you mad and they will call and call for each other.

 

Would it be better to put the cages close together where they COULD see each other, or in separate rooms so they could only hear the other budgie. If they are out of sound distance it would be okay, other then that either way they will drive you and each other nuts.

 

Do you think two budgies could live quite happily in separate cages (I give them a lot of attention naturally)...or would that be kind of cruel??? From my experience of having 1 and then 2. Budgies prefer (or most of them) each other because just as humans we prefer the same species (boy or girl). It would be cruel in my opinion to have them separate like that where they would see each other.

 

I believe if you would like a tamed budgie you could give us more ideas on how you went about taming the one you have. That could help us with taming her.

 

OR if you really want another there are things to consider

 

1. this one may not tame either (it happens even with hand raised --- Merlin was hand raised and preferred Pretty over me totally and I got him at 8 wks). Since Pretty passed away he has warmed up to me.

 

2. budgies prefer other budgies and you can get a tame one and work with this one during the 30 day recommended quarantine period and then intro them. Having a tame one may show the other one not to be fearful

 

There are different levels of tame...what do you want out of a tamed bird?

....There are different levels of tame...what do you want out of a tamed bird?

 

Thanks Elly. All I really want in regards to "tame" is that she wont freak out when I put my hand in the cage and that i can get her to step up and just move her around the cage a little. Would be nice to get her to a stage of taking her out but initially would be happy if the step up onto my hand could be achieved. Most important is that it is a little frustrating (as in "hurts') that she is so frightened of me when I try so hard to show her that I love her. I have been reading the other comments on the site however and perhaps think I am giving up too soon. I have had her since mother's day (May) and thought that after 4 months I could expect her to at least not balk at my hand (and she flies around the cage like a crazy bird, getting as far away from the hand as possible!!).. I notice however that 4 months is not THAT unheard of. She was about 6-8 weeks when I got her so would now be around 6 months although i am not sure of her age..... is just going through her first moult (I presume.. by all the feathers flying around!!).

 

I stop at the cage and talk to her, whistle to her, get close to the cage, every time I walk past and make a point of chatting to her as much as possible. She SEEMS to like me as when i come home she fluffs up, stretches, chirps and has that "happy to see you" look if you know what I mean. I then always go straight to her cage and have a little chat, saying "hello Max" and have a little conversation with her. She seems to enjoy this.. but if i put my hand anywhere near the cage.. end of friendship!! I often put my hand in and leave it there, calmly, while talking to her, or sort of "stir" the seed bowl gently with my finger to show her I mean no harm.. however, she goes very thin and keeps a nervous eye on the hand, flying around madly if i move too close to her.

 

I have tried sticking a small stick through the cage and getting her to step up on that (keeping my hand out of it).. she balks at that too (it moves).. sometimes she will accidentally step up onto it if I am persistent enough in "following" her around with it (gently and slowly).. then I tell her calmly what a good girl she is and what a lot of fun that is!! sometimes she'll sit there for awhile but generally not for long. She still cowers when I put either the stick or my hand in the cage.

 

However, having said all of the above.... I will persevere now that I have read that sometimes it CAN take months, especially with a female...

 

Oh and I've decided not to go for a second budgie just yet. I will wait and see, if she really doesnt want to get close to me in a few months I will consider perhaps getting her a little friend then (in the same cage.. together) and I can just be content with watching their antics and accept the fact that I dont have a "close" relationship with them, but at least can enjoy watching them being close to each other. I presume it would be best then to get a male?.. are two females more likely to fight? or does it depend on the actual character of the birds????

 

Long story.. but I really appreciate this site and the advice it offers!!!!

Edited September 1, 200717 yr by thk

thk - l was in a similar situation with my budgie when l first got her. She wouldn't go on my finger or anything, but after a while she warmed to me.

 

Even if your budgie doesn't warm to you, l'm sure she does appreciate you looking after her and caring for her :ausb:

thk - l was in a similar situation with my budgie when l first got her. She wouldn't go on my finger or anything, but after a while she warmed to me.

 

Even if your budgie doesn't warm to you, l'm sure she does appreciate you looking after her and caring for her :ausb:

 

Thanks Missy.. I guess some birds take longer than others and I will keep persevering.

 

She is still entertaining to watch as she somersaults through the rungs of her ladder and plays with her toys. She took absolutely ages to warm to her little swing as well, wouldnt go near it for months.. then suddenly one morning there she was, sitting on it and now she loves it. I had even contemplated taking it out of the cage.

 

Perhaps one day she will also magically warm to me, when least expected!! SHe seems to know my voice as when i speak.. e.g from the other side of the room I say "hello Maxie!!!!!" she always looks over at me, so perhaps there's still hope!!

Keep trying, you just never know, you have been given some great advice. I have both tame and non-tame budgies but the fact that I have non-tame ones doesn't make me adore and appreciate them less;they all have their own little personalities, are happy, healthy and love to sing. Especially if you are away a lot during the day, it would be a fantastic idea to get another budgie for company. Also, I would get separate cages as sometimes the male/female mating activity and egg laying will happen without the use of a nestbox. :ausb:

Good luck with taming! I'm sure you and your budgie will bond in time, it sounds like she's got a lovely little personality.

It took me a good 6 months before Pretty really warmed up to me. He was a pet store budgie with no human interaction so don't give up. Go through the taming article in the FAQ section, I go through how I tamed him. Be patient I know she will come around. Merlin is just starting to come around since Pretty passed away and that was in March of this year.

 

Keep us updated and always ask questions. Let us know the good, bad and the ugly the support is wonderful here.