Is My Bird Ok?

Kokopan · Oct 12, 2014

My budgie bird (got him about 2 months ago) is scared of the finger/hand. The good thing about him is that he doesn't bite, but when he's scared he gets all stiff and skinny (kind of scary). He eats off my hand and will accept treats and stuff, but he's scared when I try to make him step up. Maybe he was handled roughly at the pet store I got him from (Kahoots Pet Store). I got so many advice not to give up but I don't know how to stay motivated... I bought him new natural wood perches to replace his plastic ones, and a short wood perch too! I don't even know why I got them when I don't even have the confidence to put them in. I already know he's gonna flap around and go crazy. I just put them to the side right now... :whiteblue:

EAI · Oct 13, 2014

That would be a natural reaction to hands, try to stay as stuff as possible.
Just take it slow, it might take 6 months but don't try to force anything. I'd continue to offer treats and let him eat out of your hand to establish a bigger trust and a more loving relationship.
Your bird might be able to adapt fairly quickly to the perches, try put one in at a time. All 4 birds of mine adapted to perches being placed inside absolutely fine-they wouldn't use it at first but with some bribing and time they'll try it out.

Kokopan · Oct 13, 2014

I'm taking it pretty slow: I hand feed him from time to time and I lay my hand still in his cage for 2 sessions a day. I need to become more patient, I ran out of the confidence I had in the beginning. I was so certain he'd be tamed soon and I would be ready to let him out. Now I just can't see it happening. I also leave the doors in his cage open and the room is safe. He never comes out though. It can get frustrating at times but I make sure not to scare him.

lesleyanne11 · Oct 15, 2014

I bribed my budgie and my cockatiel with treats in the beginning. Hold a strand of millet between your thumb and used your pointer finger of the same hand and slowly push under their belly. He will be so distracted by the millet he will step up. Do this every day and also offer treats from your hands. Don't leave the millet in the cage, that way he knows when you're around good things happen. Lol. Don't get discouraged, it takes time. Especially for birds not hand-fed. It only took about two weeks to get my birds to let me pick them up. Now they yell at me to take them out. I hope that helps at least a little.

Is My Bird Ok?

Kokopan

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EAI

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