We purchased our budgie from a pet store and the first few weeks, things were great. We interacted with him multiple times a day, we trained him to be on our hands and even shoulders and he responded well to "up" commands. Within a couple of weeks I noticed his behavior was off. I had a budgie as a child and I knew that they shouldn't stay puffed up as often as ours was. I called a few vets before I found one to see Chevy and he diagnosed him with a respitory infection (and figured we got him sick and just didnt know it). We had to catch him twice daily to give him antibiotics via syringe. Its possible that the early training went so well because Chevy was under the weather, but the weeks of 2x daily meds took their toll and he started biting us hard. I figured once he realized we were done with meds and follow up vet visits for awhile he would come around but that hasnt been the case. I talk to him all the time and we let him out to fly regularly, and he will come right to our hand but immediately starts biting and a few times has drawn blood. The bird I had a child would bite if we cornered her in the cage, but if we waited for her to come out on her own, then she was good (and even picked up a few words & whistles). I am just bummed that so far my kids are not having the same kind of relationship with Chevy as I did with Sara. I am honestly not sure how to start again because the biting is nearly constant even if you dont react to it, he will just keep biting.

I get a lot of birds into my care who are tame prior to medicating (and in most cases it is due to the fact that they are ill) and once they have recovered they become quite aggressive. You are doing the right thing by talking to him regularly. I also place my hand in the cage occasionally, not touching the bird, just resting it in there until they get used to it. Once they have gotten used to this, try offering millet or another favoured treat to try and tempt him to eat out of your hand. It usually takes a little while for them to grow comfortable with this.

The main things you DO NOT want to do are:

- Tower over your budgie as he will just see you as a predator

- Chase him around the cage in order to catch him

 

As for the biting, if mine bite to hurt (which is usually out of fear rather then nastiness) I tell them 'no' in a firm voice and place them back into the cage immediately. You can try getting him out again in 10, 20, or 30 minutes. If he bites again, repeat the process. They usually get the jist of it pretty quickly.

(Also, keep in mind that his cage is his sanctuary, his safe haven and if he feels threatened or probed, he will just prefer to remain in the cage and thus will bite when he thinks he is going to be taken out). If this is the case, when he is out and is being friendly, reward him with a favoured treat. Try not to pro-long his training sessions. Keep them short but regular.

 

It takes time to build trustful relationships with anyone and budgie/birds are no exception. With time and dedication he should come good.

Good luck, keep us posted

B.J's. BITERS

An easy step by step guide.

When taming more than one bird, allow the slowest bird to set the pace.

Provide in the cage the basic seed mix & water, all other foods, ie, fruit, veg, hard boiled

egg, nuts, biscuit etc, are to be used as treat foods in the taming process. Feed your birds

the treat foods by using tweezers or chopsticks to save your fingers. Slowly as the bird gets

used to this, move your fingers nearer to the treat at each feed.

Any attempt at bitting get the treat food removed fo 10 seconds. Change the type of treat food

often so your bird gets a good mix. The smaller the treat portions, the more often the visits.

Showing your birds that your visits mean nice things to eat. When finally, they're happy to

eat from your fingers, without any sign of aggression. Your ready for the next step.

Feeding by hand inside the cage. Use a hanky fixed to the bar above the door with clothes

pegs to act as a safety curtain to prevent your birds escaping via the open door.

Offer a favourite treat by holding a small piece between your finger & thumb so they can

reach it.

If they're in anyway disturbed or attempts to bite. Remove your hand, allow them to calm

down & try again. After a day or two of hand feeding. Your birds are ready for step-up..

For their own safety birds should be confined to their cages until step-up has been mastered.

Chasing & catching a bird can undermine any bond built up between you & your birds....B.J.