I've had her about 6 weeks now. She goes through phases where she's very friendly and wants to come out on her play gym. Then for no apparant reason she starts freaking out about being taken out of her change. Last night i really pushed her to come out. She sat on her playgym while I cleaned up the kitchen when I brought her back to the cage she didn't want to go back in. So I let her stay out while I cleaned up the living room. By now it was quite late I made her get back in even though she didn't want to.

 

Today again she didn't want to come out. So I didn't push it.

 

Am I misreading the fact she doesn't want to get back in her change when I think it means she likes being out? She sings and warbles quite a bit throughout the day. I caught her bobbing her head once. But she doesn't play with her toys or frisk around the change much. She just sings away.

 

She's finally not making herself depoof everytime I say something to her.

 

I've never had a bird be so hot and cold.

 

I confused.

 

Any insight?

 

Thanks,

 

Summer

My Pretty would do that he actually felt more comfortable going out on his own. Do you find if you leave the door open and let her come out on her own it is better or will she not come out at all? With Pretty I would only feed him millet when he did what was asked like step-up, go back in the cage, come out of the cage. So if I wanted him out I would entice him with millet to come out and then he could have the spray when he was out or the opposite when I wanted him back in I would only give it to him in the cage. They are very smart and get the point quickly.

 

I find that birds tend to be more scared of the human hand in the cage because that is where they are forced to do something or they were grabbed at one point to be forced to come out or get their nails or wings clipped. Think back when you first got her was there an episode where your hand freaked her out? Even something slight that you think might have not been that big of a deal.

I don't know if she might be sick?... but we put the feeding trays on the out side to entice Montie to come out. He suffered a bit in the beginning. I just checked every time he made a move for the tray, I helped him get to it.<br><br>Hope she is o.k

Not this past week. She won't come out even with the door open. Last week she did.

 

She's a very nervous bird. When I first got her she stayed on the bottom of the cage all day. When it got dark she finally went up to her perch.

 

I do the millet treat when interacting sometimes. Not always. She was doing so well she didn't seem to need it.

 

My husband thinks the sanding we did recently might have freaked her out. I didn't think birds minded loud noises. Maybe he's right?

 

 

My Pretty would do that he actually felt more comfortable going out on his own. Do you find if you leave the door open and let her come out on her own it is better or will she not come out at all? With Pretty I would only feed him millet when he did what was asked like step-up, go back in the cage, come out of the cage. So if I wanted him out I would entice him with millet to come out and then he could have the spray when he was out or the opposite when I wanted him back in I would only give it to him in the cage. They are very smart and get the point quickly.

 

I find that birds tend to be more scared of the human hand in the cage because that is where they are forced to do something or they were grabbed at one point to be forced to come out or get their nails or wings clipped. Think back when you first got her was there an episode where your hand freaked her out? Even something slight that you think might have not been that big of a deal.

Summer, I know this is frustrating to you. All you can do is spend time with her in her room. Take a book, and read it close to her. They are so curious by nature, she might not resist longer than a week. If she is not scared of your hands, try putting seeds in your palm and present it to her, s-l-o-w-l-y... One thing I know, don't give up until you have tried everything. They are loving by nature. Maybe she stresses a bit more than any other birdie before her. But you are the person for her. The friend she will have, no matter what. Show her that. Your patience will be rewarded. Good luck.

Summer, I know this is frustrating to you. All you can do is spend time with her in her room. Take a book, and read it close to her. They are so curious by nature, she might not resist longer than a week. If she is not scared of your hands, try putting seeds in your palm and present it to her, s-l-o-w-l-y... One thing I know, don't give up until you have tried everything. They are loving by nature. Maybe she stresses a bit more than any other birdie before her. But you are the person for her. The friend she will have, no matter what. Show her that. Your patience will be rewarded. Good luck.

 

Great advice there Montie

When you say her room...should she stay in one place? I keep moving her around the house. If I'm home by myself I take her with me. Tonight I didn't even try to take her out of her cage. I just had her step up and keep my hand in there while I sang to her. She puffed up and preened herself quite a bit. I'm thinking that shows being relaxed. I'll just keep at it.

 

It's just so strange that she was seeming happy and playing with her toys and wanting to come out and then that stopped. I tried removing a lot the toys. I just left her one mirror and a ladder. She likes to look outside more than in the mirror. I keep her by window that doesn't get direct sunlight in the doorstairs and play classical music for her all day when I'm gone.

 

But thanks for your advice. It's helps. I really just want her to be happy and don't know what's upsetting her.

 

Summer

 

Summer, I know this is frustrating to you. All you can do is spend time with her in her room. Take a book, and read it close to her. They are so curious by nature, she might not resist longer than a week. If she is not scared of your hands, try putting seeds in your palm and present it to her, s-l-o-w-l-y... One thing I know, don't give up until you have tried everything. They are loving by nature. Maybe she stresses a bit more than any other birdie before her. But you are the person for her. The friend she will have, no matter what. Show her that. Your patience will be rewarded. Good luck.

 

Great advice there Montie

First thing first... if you want her to bond with you, remove the mirror. She sees this as another 'bird friend' and will bond with it before you! As to moving her cage around with you. Many members do this as this gets their birds used to being around them. You could continue to do this, or if she's still behaving a little 'off', you could try leaving her in the same spot for a week or so, and then go back to what you are used to. I'm sure she'll settle down and be back to her normal self in no time. Good luck and keep us updated

Yes, that is what I'll do as well. Also eating in front of her will also do a trick. Make toast and go and eat it in front of her cage while leaving the door open. They like eating your food. Our budgie even jumped on top of the bread later, after racing to it as if it was HIS! They can be so funny!

I took her mirror out and she's been a lot more active in her cage. She finally has started coming down to my and sitting on it to eat her millet. I've stopped the step up work in the meantime and am just trying to build a little more trust.

 

I got laid off last week and set my computer up next to her so we are getting to spend more time together to.

 

Thanks for all the tips.

thank you for the update, great news

Thanks for the updates, Summer! Piccolo was a lot like that to begin with - I've had him since January, and I swear that it took up until about March or April to feel comfortable coming out of the cage on his own. I still have a bit of trouble getting him to come out of the cage on my hand. In June, I bought him a little play gym, and that seemed to give him some incentive.

 

I removed mirrors too, but I'm finding that he still has a bit of a chat to the bells.

 

Did the sanding noise cause some trouble? It could have. But like any little scare, eventually trust and confidence comes back. I have Piccolo in my main living area so he does deal with the "traffic": Me coming and going, the television on, the fridge going. I would put the stereo on for him - usually on ABC classic FM because orchestral still has its high loud crashing points. Took a few weeks, but then he started chatting to the TV and the music! His cage is on a low table, so sometimes I sit on the floor and read a book and just chatter to him.

 

But in all honesty, it just takes time for trust to come along. There will be good days and bad days. Having a budgie has made me a very patient person! Spend time with your gorgeous girl this week. Don't be always in her face - a consistent routine of saying good morning, having a meal, saying good night (as well as set time to sit next to her and read a relaxing book - everyone wins!!! ) might give her some predictability to get used to.

 

You'll get there, and so will she.