Hey Everyone,

 

Very recently I have purchased two adorable little budgies. I've never owned a bird before, but find them to be fascinating little creatures with whom i eventually hope to have a close bond with. However, this is proving to be a bit of a problem.

 

 

I have been reading the forum and FAQ section quite closely but feel like my efforts at taming these guys may be failing. Both of my birds are pretty scared of my hand and most of the time run away from my finger when i try and teach them to "get up". My little bluey is less evasive but i dont know if this is its character or simply because it is frozen scared at times.

 

Both birds seem to understand the idea of "get up" but are simply very scared to trust me.

 

Are there any ways I can get around this problem?

 

Thanks a lot :hap:

They are very cute little babies. Your yellow one looks like a girl and the blue looks like a boy :hap:

There is a very good taming technique that a number of members have used with much success.

It requires lots of patience and persistence. Simply hold a spray of millet on your hand in the cage. and very slowly move it closer and closer to them. do this until you arm feels like it wants to drop off he he he. it might take a week of this before they will even think about eating any millet, but you will get their trust in time :hap:

 

there is a really great article on in the FAQ's about it, but at the moment i can't seem to find it I'm sure one of the others can help with its location :hap:

These two are a great pair. The girl (who i believe is older) is always preening and looking after the boy. It's such a cute thing to watch :hap:

 

I went out today to buy some millet sprays so I will give that technique a go.

 

I'm pretty worried though, because at this stage they seem to become pretty scared if i go towards the cage :hap:

Patience. It's okay for them to be a little afraid. they need to get used to you and understand that you will not harm them. They are tough little birds. if they flap around and avoid your hand, just keep it still in their cage until they calm down. they will eventually settle. The longer you can keep your hand in there the better. Judt remember not to force anything and no sudden movements.

 

Also, something i forgot to mention - dont use "Shhhhh!" to calm them down... "Shhhhh" is like saying "watch out! theres a big ugly snake is about to swallow you whole!!!" in bird language hehehe.

I recommend using kisses, tongue clicks and quiet whistles to settle your little babies :hap:

 

Best of luck :hap:

Patience seems to be the magic word :hap:

I am pleased to say that I have started seeing some progress with my little ones!

 

This afternoon i let the birds out of their cage to have a look around. I scattered some seeds and millet for them to try. Eventually, i was able to hold a piece of millet and have the two birds eat from my fingers. Towards the end of the session I was able to get both birds on my fingers with the millet, so that I could proceed to put them in their cage.

 

I'm pretty happy with that :hap:

I also read in a childs budgie book - it was aimed at children who are going to own a budgie for the first time - to not give them a lot of eye contact.

 

I'm not sure if this is true, confirmation? would be advised.

 

It basically said, try not to stare at them, it makes them uncomfortable at first. Walk around the cage, or somewhere they can see you, doing general things around the house, like the laundry, housework (dusting) or something like that, but make minimal eye contact.

 

EDIT: Looks like your making some progress just before l posted this post :hap: Congratulations - remember, don't give up, thats what l did now my budgies are still scared of me because l didn't stick with it.

Edited February 22, 200817 yr by Missy

Excellent news :hap:

Thats great news!!! :hap:

Thanks everybody

 

Missy - As per your advice, ive been keeping the birds in the cage near me wherever I go. I spend a lot of time here in the study, and they are always with me. They are even okay with me vacuming and so on, which given the noise, I was surprised.

You have two very cute budgies there.

 

Congrats on your progress, and yes patience is definitely the magic word!

Edited February 22, 200817 yr by Bec Sta

Congratulations on your new little ones. They are cute. I've never heard of the no eye contact thing. I would continue to spend as much time with them as possible. Talk to them, put your head close to the cage and whistle... do it as much as possible. With the Millet, feed them with a long piece and gradually get smaller (means your fingers will get closer to them) I'm currently training my cockatiels, and find if they are really interested in eating the millet, you can sometimes sneak your finger up under their feet without them even noticing . Just keep it up and they WILL get used to you eventually. Just remember to work at their pace and let it happen. Good luck and keep us updated!

Welcome to the message boards. I hope that the article in the FAQ gives you ideas. I wrote it up hoping it would help out others. Pretty my first budgie and pet shop budgie took months to come around and tame. 2 birds are usually harder to tame then 1 because they have each other and they tend to watch each other to see how to react. I would really work on more confident bird first and start training with him and then got to the other one.

 

Trust is what you need to win with these little ones and once you have gained trust you have gained their heart . So don't give up. I don't suggest seperating when taming when they are so close because of the fact it stresses them out more and they call for each other. As they become more confident with you seperation may be okay.

 

As for the eyes being closed, yes don't stare at them that is what a predator does when they are going to pounce and eat them (think about a cat and a bird) so when you talk to them close to the cage bars with millet in your fingers keep your eyes lowered while you talk. If you move away and one or both come back up to the cage bars you have success.

 

By the way how long have you had your duo?

Sounds like you are making progress, it takes a LONG time!!! I have a foster budgie in my spare bedroom and we are ever so S L O W L Y getting along better, carry on and read our taming tips! Good Luck to you! :bluebudgie:

So far I have been pretty lucky...My birds have been willingly jumping onto my fingers to eat the millet. They will even fly a short distance (less than a metre) to perch on my fingers to do so. They will actually do anything to get to my fingers, its reallly cute!

 

I have had Eva (the yellow bird) for about 10 days and the blue bird (yet to be named) for about 3. Eva was very lonely so I decided to get her a friend, and wow has she opened up .

So far I have been pretty lucky...My birds have been willingly jumping onto my fingers to eat the millet. They will even fly a short distance (less than a metre) to perch on my fingers to do so. They will actually do anything to get to my fingers, its reallly cute!

 

I have had Eva (the yellow bird) for about 10 days and the blue bird (yet to be named) for about 3. Eva was very lonely so I decided to get her a friend, and wow has she opened up .

 

For the time you have had them you are doing very, very well. Good on you.

With the eye contact thing, it is also recommended that you blink alot too as a predator is less ikely to do that, as they get more used to you, you won't need to worry about eye contact

Well for having them a very short time they are doing wonderful some birds don't move off their perches but to eat and drink , keep working with them throughout the day and for the rest of their lives and you will have 2 fanastic companions

You are doing great Watda ... I'm impressed you have had them such a short time & already getting them on your hands & flying to you for millet. I agree with Elly, it is harder to tame 2 birds, as they have each other to bond with, so why would they care about you the human.

 

Just be patient. It's good that you have them close to where you are. My birds are beside me the computer, I sit here to work all day. So they come over to annoy me at the keyboard as I leave some millet on a tray near me & some fresh veggies they like.

 

Keep them close to you & chat with them allot ... it helps.

 

Good for you & keep at it.

Welcome to the world of wonderful wacky BUDGIE BOIDS !

Thanks a lot for the positive comments, it means a lot to know that I'm doing some things right!

keep up the good work and be patient you will need to both of them to bond to you individually so that takes time they need to learn to form 2 bond 1 with each other (which they have) and then 1 with you. Working with your most confident bird will help the one that is less confident.