Difference between revisions of "Train Your Budgie"
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Earning Your Budgie's Trust === | === Earning Your Budgie's Trust === | ||
| − | #Make your budgie feel at home. If your budgie is new, it will need time to get used to its cage. You should let it adjust for at least a few days and make sure that the bird is in a quiet environment before attempting to train it.<ref>http://www.budgerigar.com/</ref> By this time, the budgie should start to relax and feel comfortable. | + | #Make your budgie feel at home. If your budgie is new, it will need time to get used to its cage. You should let it adjust for at least a few days and make sure that the bird is in a quiet environment before attempting to train it.<ref name="rf1">http://www.budgerigar.com/</ref> By this time, the budgie should start to relax and feel comfortable. |
#* Make sure to read the Wikihow tutorial on [[Take Care of a Budgie|how to take care of a budgie]] | #* Make sure to read the Wikihow tutorial on [[Take Care of a Budgie|how to take care of a budgie]] | ||
#* Stay close to the cage. Talk to it quietly as you wait for it to adjust but do not try to handle it. It will get used to you in the course of a few days or weeks. | #* Stay close to the cage. Talk to it quietly as you wait for it to adjust but do not try to handle it. It will get used to you in the course of a few days or weeks. | ||
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#* Read your bird a story. This might sound strange but budgies like to hear their owner's voice. Reading them a book will sooth them and make your voice familiar. | #* Read your bird a story. This might sound strange but budgies like to hear their owner's voice. Reading them a book will sooth them and make your voice familiar. | ||
#Feed and water the budgie daily. The budgie will slowly recognize you as the one providing food. The bird will trust you faster and will be excited when seeing you. | #Feed and water the budgie daily. The budgie will slowly recognize you as the one providing food. The bird will trust you faster and will be excited when seeing you. | ||
| − | #* Water and food should be changed daily, even if the budgie hasn't touched it. A new budgie will often refuse to eat for up to a week, as it gets used to its new life.<ref>https://www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-pet/the-keys-to-better-care/budgerigars/diet</ref> | + | #* Water and food should be changed daily, even if the budgie hasn't touched it. A new budgie will often refuse to eat for up to a week, as it gets used to its new life.<ref name="rf2">https://www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-pet/the-keys-to-better-care/budgerigars/diet</ref> |
| − | #* Introduce your budgie to treats before training starts. Give it a piece of fruit or a few seeds. Your bird will love it and will be more willing to learn if it has an incentive. <ref | + | #* Introduce your budgie to treats before training starts. Give it a piece of fruit or a few seeds. Your bird will love it and will be more willing to learn if it has an incentive. <ref name="rf2" /> Don't exaggerate with treats as you want to keep your bird healthy. |
| − | #Let the budgie fly in a room. Once the bird is at ease with you, you can let it fly in a room with all of the windows and doors closed. This extra space will make your budgie happy and will keep it fit for the forthcoming training.<ref>http://www.budgiekeet.com/exercise.html</ref> | + | #Let the budgie fly in a room. Once the bird is at ease with you, you can let it fly in a room with all of the windows and doors closed. This extra space will make your budgie happy and will keep it fit for the forthcoming training.<ref name="rf3">http://www.budgiekeet.com/exercise.html</ref> |
#* To call it back, switch off all the lights and leave the curtain of one window open, but remember to close the window. The budgie will be attracted towards the light. Hold it gently and put it back inside the cage. | #* To call it back, switch off all the lights and leave the curtain of one window open, but remember to close the window. The budgie will be attracted towards the light. Hold it gently and put it back inside the cage. | ||
#* Make sure that there is no cat or predator in the room. | #* Make sure that there is no cat or predator in the room. | ||
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=== Teaching Tricks=== | === Teaching Tricks=== | ||
| − | #Encourage physical contact. Once your budgie is settled, place your hand in the cage and keep it immobile. Repeat this for days to let your bird get used to your physical presence in the cage.<ref | + | #Encourage physical contact. Once your budgie is settled, place your hand in the cage and keep it immobile. Repeat this for days to let your bird get used to your physical presence in the cage.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#* When the budgie seems okay with your hand, place your finger inside the cage. Then push it slightly against your budgie’s chest. This will encourage it to climb on your finger. Be patient as the bird might be reluctant at first. | #* When the budgie seems okay with your hand, place your finger inside the cage. Then push it slightly against your budgie’s chest. This will encourage it to climb on your finger. Be patient as the bird might be reluctant at first. | ||
#* If the bird is intimidated, just stroke its breast with the back of your finger. Show love and care. | #* If the bird is intimidated, just stroke its breast with the back of your finger. Show love and care. | ||
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===Learning To Speak And Sing=== | ===Learning To Speak And Sing=== | ||
| − | #Teach its name. It is easier to start with the animal’s name as it hears it all the time. Repeat your budgie’s name every time you see it and when you bring food. Try to speak in a high-pitched voice and say the name slowly and clearly.<ref | + | #Teach its name. It is easier to start with the animal’s name as it hears it all the time. Repeat your budgie’s name every time you see it and when you bring food. Try to speak in a high-pitched voice and say the name slowly and clearly.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#* Wait until the budgie is old enough. The bird should be at least three months old before it can speak. | #* Wait until the budgie is old enough. The bird should be at least three months old before it can speak. | ||
#* If you have more than one budgie, stick to the teaching of one name. You don’t want to make it too hard at first. | #* If you have more than one budgie, stick to the teaching of one name. You don’t want to make it too hard at first. | ||
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#* Your budgie can also say simple sentences. When your bird eats, say ‘coco [or the bird’s name] eats’. When it drinks, say ‘coco drinks’. | #* Your budgie can also say simple sentences. When your bird eats, say ‘coco [or the bird’s name] eats’. When it drinks, say ‘coco drinks’. | ||
#* Don't teach your bird insults. The budgie will remember it for a long time and might embarrass you in front of your guests. | #* Don't teach your bird insults. The budgie will remember it for a long time and might embarrass you in front of your guests. | ||
| − | #Teach a song. There is nothing funnier than having your bird singing a song. Your budgie can remember simple tunes and will happily delight the whole family. The easiest way to teach a song is to sing it over and over to your bird. Don’t try to teach the whole song but just a few seconds. <ref | + | #Teach a song. There is nothing funnier than having your bird singing a song. Your budgie can remember simple tunes and will happily delight the whole family. The easiest way to teach a song is to sing it over and over to your bird. Don’t try to teach the whole song but just a few seconds. <ref name="rf1" /> |
#* Pick a song you like. Remember that your budgie might sing it for a long time. | #* Pick a song you like. Remember that your budgie might sing it for a long time. | ||
#* Record yourself singing a song and play it to your bird when you’re away. This is an extremely efficient way to teach a song without having to sing it a thousand times. You can do the same to teach words. | #* Record yourself singing a song and play it to your bird when you’re away. This is an extremely efficient way to teach a song without having to sing it a thousand times. You can do the same to teach words. | ||
