Hi

 

I have noticed that every time a family member approaches my budgie's cage, or even walks past, he pulls back his wings when he sees them, like he's stretching. Every time!

 

Is this some kind of budgie greeting? Do they do that to each other in the wild?

Is he a really tame bird? He might be excited to see you. I know my cockatiel does something like this, especially when he wants to be let out of the cage.

Is he a really tame bird? He might be excited to see you. I know my cockatiel does something like this, especially when he wants to be let out of the cage.

 

Hi I've often noted this behaviour in my aviaries. It's a stance that means "BACK OFF" but in a pet situation it

 

can be used to get attention, ie. he probably did it at first in its natural context but then he got an unexpected reward.

 

in much the same way that a dog will growl angrily on command to get a reward. B. J.

Is he a really tame bird? He might be excited to see you. I know my cockatiel does something like this, especially when he wants to be let out of the cage.

 

Hi I've often noted this behaviour in my aviaries. It's a stance that means "BACK OFF" but in a pet situation it

 

can be used to get attention, ie. he probably did it at first in its natural context but then he got an unexpected reward.

 

in much the same way that a dog will growl angrily on command to get a reward. B. J.

 

Hi,

Yes, he's very tame. I think you're right, he probably wants to play or something

So in the wild they can use this to tell other birds to go away. Do they have friendly mannerisms too?

I have never seen a budgie in the wild. I suspect their mannerisms would be similar if not the same as those in captivity - maybe not tame birds, but similar to aviary birds. I couldn't be sure though.

Is he a really tame bird? He might be excited to see you. I know my cockatiel does something like this, especially when he wants to be let out of the cage.

 

Hi I've often noted this behaviour in my aviaries. It's a stance that means "BACK OFF" but in a pet situation it

 

can be used to get attention, ie. he probably did it at first in its natural context but then he got an unexpected reward.

 

in much the same way that a dog will growl angrily on command to get a reward. B. J.

 

Hi,

Yes, he's very tame. I think you're right, he probably wants to play or something

So in the wild they can use this to tell other birds to go away. Do they have friendly mannerisms too?

 

Hi The simple answer is yes just as all animals & birds do. As for the rest, some do & some only

 

at mating time. Yours B. J.

I've read once that its to tell other birds "I'm okay, I'm relaxed, I'm healthy" but I can't say for certain. All my birds do that when I walk past or when the other birds approach and it doesn't seem to be an aggressive thing... But who knows?

I think this is the sign of gaining attention.