My little guy loves his cage, which i suppose is a good thing, loving your home and all. The thing is, whenever i get near it he'll flap to it. he wont come back out. i would love for him to hop on my shoulder or hand when i get near him. would clipping millit onto your shoulder or puting little pieces of it in your hand help? maybe i should keep him in his cage for a while, or start from square one? i'm thinking of taking pixie's advice, keep him in his cage for a week or so.

 

thanks

Edited March 28, 200520 yr by xtinaxtinax

Its extremely common for a budgie to be 'cage clingy', especially in the early days. Its his security you see, his safe haven, protects him from all the terrible monsters in the outside world! (out furniture, our ornaments, US) I wouldnt try getting him out, not just yet, but whenever you put your hand in, do it slowly, and have his favourite treat in it (usually a bit of millet) If he stays still on his perch, just slowly move your hand close enuough so if he wants to, he can reach the tempting treat. If he flutters away, keep your hand very still while he's fluttering, dont move it at all. When he becomes still, then slowy remove your hand and let him settle again. It can take quite a while, but, usually, slow and patient will win the birds trust, and curiosity.

Anne

Tina - you have only had your budgie a matter of HOURS!!! Give the poor little sod a chance to settle in. Your patience will be rewarded. I've never heard of an agrophobic budgie so don't worry. He WILL pop out his cage eventually - when he feels safe to do so. 0

Chirpy, he's very good, he can step up & down and doesn't flutter one single bit when my hand is in the cage. Yes, i'm going to keep him in there for a while.

i think maybe because you bought a 'hand tamed' budgie you are expecting too much too soon. just because he was tame to the people who raised him it doesnt mean he will trust you in the same way immediately. these things take ALOT of time and patience. trust me!

 

if you rush him too much and try to force him out of his cage he may start to bite you and once you get into this pattern of behaviour it is very hard to stop.... he will let you know when he is ready to come out and play.

 

remember, he is in a completely new environment and his cage is his sanctuary.

Edited March 28, 200520 yr by pixie25

no budgeover! not hours! days! three, to be exact. he's been doing well, he drinks, eats, sleeps, explores his cage, preens. still needs to get used to his toys though.

 

pixie, i'm not forcing, i'm allowing. his cage was always open for him to do as he pleased. now i'm going to have more patience and get him comfy in his cage and wait.

Edited March 28, 200520 yr by xtinaxtinax

aww tina don't be disheartened. try not to take it too seriously. Give your budgie time to get used to you and the surroundings. Keep talking to him and getting him to sit on your finger while he is in the cage. Have you named him yet?

believe me tina.... it was over a month until one of mine sat on my shoulder. it was even a matter of weeks before they would eat any veggies.

 

it can take 3 months or more until you have a relatively tame budgie that will climb on you and play with your hair.

but but but but but!! well, remember how i said that i took him out and stuff? or maybe i didn't say that, well anyways i have really frizzy tangly hair and i put him on my neck and he cuddled and started playing with my hair! he also tried to make a nest out of it. i think he really likes my neck because when i'm near the cage and he's there he doesn't fly back. i guess i'll get him more used to my hand.

 

budgeover, yes, more time is needed i can wait! his name is either sky or flye

Edited March 28, 200520 yr by xtinaxtinax

i understand you being like that. you want him to love you and he will in time. Right now he needs to adjust. Then i am 100% sure he will be your best buddy!

well that is brilliant that he will do that already, but i do think you should be more patient and go a bit slower. otherwise in a couple of weeks time you may find that the taming is going backwards rather than forwards

 

leaving the cage door open so that he has the option is a very good idea! he will eventually explore himself.

Edited March 28, 200520 yr by pixie25

thanks budgeover!!!

 

yes, i see what you mean pixie

Edited March 28, 200520 yr by xtinaxtinax

just talking from experience here! it is most frustrating when you have to start taming all over again from scratch!

 

have you left any veggies or fruit in his cage yet? you can tell when they start to get a bit more adventurous when they try out new foods

neither of the budgies i have had have eaten greens when they were babies.

i've tried spinach, strawberries, and carrots. i'm going to buy some clips so i can clip the foods in the cage instead of just having him poop all over it. (Laughing out loud).

i hope you have read the thread about strawberries tina! they must be organic.

 

clips are good, if you dont wanna buy metal ones, wooden clothes pegs are perfect

OOPS!! no i haven't read that thread, but luckily he didn't take on single peck at them! whewf, thanks for that pixie!

http://www.daves-forums.co.uk/bbc/index.ph...topic=291&st=20

 

go here and keep scrolling down

oosh, thanks for that one

it can take months for a budgie to even start to become tame so just take your time. leave him inside for a week or so just talkin to him. then put ya hand in the cage but dont move it much. have you any mirrors? if you have take them out because they make taming harder. take ya time hope this helps

ATD

a while ago i put him in his cage with the radio on. i just spent and hour and a half with the little guy on my fingers and I sang to him all my favorite songs (indie rock stuff is my fave). he enjoyed it very much and loved listening to me. he even let me take him near the edge of his cage and didn't flap back to his perch at all! it was actually hard to get him off me and back on the perch when i went to feed my dog!

That's great!!! You said that he likes hanging out in your hair.....If you have long hair budgies love to hide in it! I think they feel secure once hidden! :(Laughing out loud):

yeah they love it! i had my hair in a loose pony tail once and casper climbed right into it like a little hammock! it was quite cute until he got his foot tangled

When i had long hair it was so bushy and tangley i was sure one of my birds would get stuck! :(Laughing out loud):