Does anyone have a suggestion for catching a shy budgie safely? We have a new budgie that needs a nail trim but I just hate chasing it around the cage trying to catch it. Is there a better way or do I just have to bite the bullet?

 

Thanks!

 

Maureen

Hi Maureen,

 

There might be a better way than this, but I find that the easiest way for me to catch a fearful budgie is by "toweling" it. I use a small wash cloth and cover the bird with it, then pick it up. This can be very tricky if your bird is extremely flighty. You may want to place the cloth flat in your hand and wait until the bird plants itself against the side of the cage, then make your move. Keep its head covered while you trim the nails so that he isn't freaked out by all the sights. Also, make sure that you grip firmly but not too tightly. You don't want to constrict the budgie's breathing.

 

Also, make sure the cloth you use is smooth enough so that his nails don't get caught up in it.

 

I know this way still involves going in and catching the bird, but I think it's easier and less stressful than using bare hands. (It also helps if the bird decides to start biting.)

 

This might be the way you're already doing it. If so, I think it's best but maybe someone else can give you better advice.

 

-Terri

Thanks, Terri. I was using my bare hands and using a small towel seems a bit less frightening for her. Unless I hear of anything easier I'll give that a try.

it is easier to catch them when they grip to the cage bars. just make sure you unhook their little toes before you pull them away. once you get used to doing it in a cloth you may find you can do it in your bare hands just as easily - without stressing the bird out

it is easier to catch them when they grip to the cage bars. just make sure you unhook their little toes before you pull them away. once you get used to doing it in a cloth you may find you can do it in your bare hands just as easily - without stressing the bird out

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Looks like there is no easier way to do it....I'm goin' in Thanks!

I am not sure if this is safe or torture well my grandpa catches them by putting one of his fingers on all their toes when they are sitting on your finger it seems sooo mean!

If you can fit both your hands in the cage it is much less stressful if you can corner the bird. The longer the chase the scarier the experience!

I would agree with bea the longer the chase the more scary it is to the bird,I like to use a large goldish net or a proper bird net (if your catching them in an aviary) if your catching them while there in a cage use a tea towel to put over them so they feel warm and safe and put it over there eyes so it thinks its hiding and nothing is happening to it, so you can catch them quick and easy and dosn't make the bird stressed.

i suggest using a goldfish net

 

For my birds their all easy to catch except for tweety who unless im willing to alow my hand to be bitten off i have to shoo her hout of her cage and catch her in mid flight which is quite easy for quite a speedy bird

a goldfish net?! that seems a very strange idea, how does that work?

 

imotive, i would never hold their toes down, if they panic and try to flap frantically they could easily break a little toe or something, i certainly would never ever use that method.

 

another tip, when they are in the teatowel stroke the top of their head lightly it seems to calm them down quite effectively.

I am not sure if this is safe or torture well my grandpa catches them by putting one of his fingers on all their toes when they are sitting on your finger it seems sooo mean!

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This is a method that is really only supposed to be used with large birds as they have stronger legs and even then, I wouldn't do it if they panicked and started flapping about. I'm pretty sure it's called either the Egyptian Hold or Egyptian Grip. It's not safe for small birds as they're a lot more fragile and like I said, I would be hesitant to even use it on a larger bird.

i have trouble catching skittle, he sits oin the top of my curtains and i cant get to him. i turn the light off and leave the tv on, he flies to teh top of his cage. i then turn the tv off then catch him.

ATD

Thanks, Terri. I was using my bare hands and using a small towel seems a bit less frightening for her. Unless I hear of anything easier I'll give that a try. 

You should never use bare hands as it apparently can damage your bird's feathers, apart from being more scary :bluebudgie: (Laughing out loud) i love that smilie

There have been so many refences to using a golldfish net. The one we used to have was teeny...would a budgie really fit in that??? :bluebudgie:

I don't like the idea of a net at all. I meant... their claws getting stuck and things. And they can flop about in a net and hurt themselves. I think it'd be less traumatic to just towel them. :bluebudgie:

That's what i think. They could get tangled in a net! :bluebudgie:

I try to make it as dark as possible then just catch him in a clothe. :bluebudgie:

If one of my budgies escapes from an inside cage i just throw a towel over them...easy peasy!!!

If one of my budgies escapes from an inside cage i just throw a towel over them...easy peasy!!!

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with skittle he is off before im even within a metre of him (Laughing out loud)

ATD

Well that would make it a bit more difficult!!! :(Laughing out loud):

Thats why you darken it because then the budgie can't see when your coming

Do budgies have really poor night vision or something?

When it comes to seeing in the dark budgies aren't the best at it

okay, that makes sense i supose.......

And what is that suppose to mean