Difference between revisions of "Gain Your Parakeet's Trust"

#Consider whether you want to clip your budgie’s wings. This can be a difficult decision to make once you get your bird. If you have questions about clipping the bird’s wings, talk to your veterinarian.<ref name="rf1">http://www.nehumanesociety.org/site/DocServer/parakeetcare.pdf?docID=258</ref>

#*On the other hand, not everyone likes the idea of altering a bird. There are also concerns that the inability to fly can be distressing to a bird.<ref name="rf2">http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/pet_birds/tips/bird_care.html</ref>  

#Keep your budgie comfortable. Make sure that your budgie has an appropriate cage and easy access to food and water. All the necessary supplies can be found at pet supply stores. Keep the cage in a room that is moderate in temperature. If the temperature feels good to you, then your bird should be comfortable as well.<ref name="rf3">https://www.mspca.org/pet_resources/bird-care-guide-parakeets-budgies/</ref>

#Don’t try to tame your bird right away. When you first get a budgie, give it a few weeks to get used to its surroundings. Then you can start to tame and train it.<ref name="rf4">https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/small-pet-care/general-bird-care</ref>

#*If possible, keep your budgie’s cage in a room where you spend a lot of time. This will help it get used to the sight of you.<ref name="rf5">http://www.budgies.org/info/taming.html</ref><ref name="rf1" />

#*Talk softly to your budgie when you give it water and food, so that it will create positive associations with you. You can also make a point to leave treats on or just inside its cage.<ref name="rf5" />  

#Start by opening the cage door. Open the door of your budgie’s cage and carefully insert your hand. Talk softly to the budgie. Try to coax it into eating a treat, like a sunflower seed or millet, from the palm of your hand.<ref name="rf4" /> This may take several tries, so be patient.

#*Do not try to grab your budgie at this early stage. Let it come to your hand instead. If your budgie moves around in the cage when you insert your hand, leave it there until the bird calms down.<ref name="rf5" />

#*Each training session should last about 10 minutes.<ref name="rf5" /><ref name="rf1" />

#Train your budgie to hop onto a stick. After your budgie trusts you enough to eat treats from your hand, you can try getting it to hop onto a perch or stick. Open its cage door and carefully insert the perch. Very gently press the perch against your bird. With some time, it will learn to move onto the perch.<ref name="rf4" />

#Train your budgie to hop onto your finger. Once your budgie is used to hopping onto a perch or stick, you can place your finger next to the bird to see if it will hop onto it. When your budgie is on the perch or stick, you can also try placing your finger next to the perch to if the bird will hop onto it.<ref name="rf4" />

#*If your budgie is not startled by the presence of your hand, you can try rubbing your finger on its belly while saying “up.” When you set it back on its perch or the cage, say “down.”<ref name="rf5" />

#*Move your budgie very slowly and carefully as you are taking it out of its cage, especially for the first time. You do not want to startle the bird.<ref name="rf5" />

#*Do not try to move your budgie around very much when you are trying to get it used to coming out of the cage. Keep the training sessions short.<ref name="rf5" />

#Let your budgie spend time outside of its cage. Once tamed and trained, your budgie will need at least an hour per day outside of its cage for exercise and play. Make sure all windows and doors are closed for safety. It is also a good idea to cover windows and mirrors so your budgie does not accidentally fly into them.<ref name="rf4" />

#Let your budgie sit on your shoulder. Once your budgie is comfortable being moved around outside of your cage, you can try to set it gently on your shoulder. Many budgies can be trained to perch there.<ref name="rf6"> https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/small-pet-care/general-bird-care</ref>

#Keep your budgie healthy and happy with toys. Budgies will enjoy having a number of toys to choose from. You can use these toys as an opportunity to bond with your budgie. Try rotating toys regularly (at least every month) to keep it happy.<ref name="rf3" /> Good budgie-appropriate toys should be available at pet supply stores and include:<ref name="rf4" />

#*Non-poisonous house plants. Your budgie can fly from its cage to the plant and back.<ref name="rf3" />

#*Many budgies can be [[Teach Parakeets to Talk|taught to mimic words]] and noises.<ref name="rf4" />  

*Always hold your budgie correctly. Place your palm on its back and wrap your fingers around the bird. Gently place your thumb on one side of its head, and your forefinger on the other. <ref name="rf3" /> This position will keep your bird securely held and make it feel safe.

*Some people suggest trying to tame your budgie by holding it for periods of time (such as 30 minutes at a time, five times a day). However, not all budgies respond well to this method, and it may be hard to build trust. If you choose this method, remember to hold your budgie gently and carefully, as always. If you grasp the bird too tightly, it can suffocate.<ref name="rf5" />