Budgie training help!

Jeans · Jul 19, 2016

I have had Will for two years, trying to get him to trust me. When I open to the cage door, he never comes out, even after hours. As soon as I close the door and turn my back, he finds a way to escape.

This wasn't an issue before adopting Starry, but now it is. I have tried putting pins on all his doors so they couldn't be opened. The only thing that works is putting a sheet over his cage.

The real issue is getting him back in... It is traumatizing for both of us. He isn't trained to step up because he is still terrified of people, no matter how hard I work at it.

To get him back in, I will start by attempting to have him step up, either on to me or onto a perch. He flies away before you even reach him. In the end I have to spend half an hour chasing him with a towel to catch him.

I hate it and I need help. Starry needs to come out and play too!

Also, when he is out he doesn't go back to his cage for food and ends up starving by morning

he is my little clown and I love him but this is not ok.

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shesaravenclaw · Jul 19, 2016

Perhaps take him in for a clip until you can get him tamed? I'm positive all the chasing and toweling is erasing any progress you might have in taming him. If you have him clipped and work with him daily, you should be able to have him at least stepping up by the time his flights grow in.
Also, what's his motive? Does he always go to the same place? And how is he escaping if you're securing the doors? Is there a structural weakness in the cage somewhere?

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Jeans · Jul 19, 2016

I have had his wings clipped before and all it did was get him hurt when he tried to fly. He flies from his tree to my art desk to the rat cage and back the same way. I know it is erasing everything and I hate it. His motive is to get away because he is terrified of people... And it can't be pleasant to be covered in a towel...

We have no idea how he gets out. Everytime I find how he does it and fix it, he finds a new way out. Getting out isnt so much the issue as getting him back in.

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shesaravenclaw · Jul 19, 2016

Right, except to fix the problem of getting back in, you want to stop him getting out. There are lots of dangers in a house for a tiny escapee bird. Maybe it's time for a new cage? I don't know about where you are, but where I am there are lots of cages on Craigslist that are really nice and really cheap. Or, if you'd rather do new https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001NPX5BC/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_XOKJxb19ZKG63 is a pretty popular cage for small birds as is this style which I personally keep my budgie in, and can be food for varying prices all over the Internet... Mine was, I believe, made by AE, purchased at windycityparrot.com for like... $100 I think https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OLAPCNA/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_mRKJxb66M7V1R
Also, it sounds like whoever clipped him last time did a full clip, there is a way to clip then that they can glide safely to the ground, but can't get any lift. You leave the last 2 or 3 flights (depending on the bird). My newest rescue came with a full clip and he too drops like a rock and it freaks me out a bit.

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Jeans · Jul 19, 2016

He escapes into the space he usually let out into anyway. That first link is the one I have for him currently. Even if he can't get out, what happens when I let him out for free time and he doesn't go in on his own?

I will do some research and try and get a better clip. Thank you for your help!

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shesaravenclaw · Jul 19, 2016

Sorry I can't offer more help! Maybe someone else will have a better idea 💡

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Jeans · Jul 19, 2016

shesaravenclaw said:
Sorry I can't offer more help! Maybe someone else will have a better idea [emoji362]

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You did! You let me know about the wing clipping! When he had them done it was by a petsmart employee who had no care for birds. Now I know there are better ways!

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shesaravenclaw · Jul 19, 2016

Oh good lol well, depending on where you live, you can find a parrot store and they will do a good job. Also an avian vet. I used to take me guys to http://thebirdstore.com/ or http://bird-paradise.biz/
Make sure you know the person who is doing the clipping. I always make sure it's the owner's wife at the one store because she really loves tiny birds and understands that they can have just as big of personalities as the big guys.

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BIRDIGIRL · Jul 19, 2016

Firstly you need to secure his cage...cable tie shut any doors you dont use and securely clip shut the door you use...is he opening the feeding bowl openings if so then secure them either with some sort of secure clip that he cant open or permenantly shut them and place a food bowl hanging from insde the bars of his cage...make sure two that the bars of the cage are not wide enough for him to squeeze through as some budgies can escape that way...I would love your budgie because he is so intelligent...really he is...what you need to understand is that at the moment your Budgie is scared of you . The way he sees it every time you come near him he is chased or grabbed or towelled and the reason he doesnt want to go back to his cage is because he knows its not safe there as you will grab him again...grabbing budgies while I appreciate you had to keep him safe is not helpful when you are ttying to tame one. So first off make that cage a safe area where you dont grab him and make it escape proof. Then leave him for a few days to settle and realise his cage is a safe spot. Do your cage spot clean and the changing of food and water bowls etc while speaking softly to him but no touching whatsoever..do it for a week or more and if he flutters in his cage keep doing it until he stops fluttering and calmly watches you put your hands in his cage without him getting scared. To do this you will need to put your hand into his cage several times daily and speak to him but never touch him or chase him round the cage. The next step is to introduce him to a little perch and see if he will perch on it for you...budgies are not the best at coming to take a treat from your hand but if he does it thsts great if not then just keep getting him used of the little perch...to do this choose a perch that will fit inside your cage but is as long as possible and one that fits on the floor of your cage. Leave the perch on the floor of the cage for a few days and during this time gently pick it up inside the cage and place it back on the floor several times a dsy for a number of days while talking softly to your budgie...dont spook him with it and dont chase him. Slowly after a few days of the perch being inside his cage on the floor of the cage (and it may take several days) and you moving it about inside the cage for a few days raise the perch slowly under him and if he doesnt fly off gently push it inwards and upwards under his chest just above his feet and say:"step up" he should step up onto the perch. All of these things take patience and they dont happen overnight...dont be tempted to chase him and try to take shortcuts the whole idea of all this is to show him that he is safe with you...its trust building and thats what you need not wing clipping. Once he is stepping up onto a perch you can use it to take him out of the cage...again carry the cage to a small sized room with no perches or places he can use to perch...bathrooms are good spots as they are usually small spaces but make sure there are no holes anywhere for him to go through no fan and no open window and also make sure the lid on the toilet is closed...let him fly round the room and offer him the perch(the one he is used of from the cage) saying step up as he perches on it...when you get this far come back and I will give you more advice on taming...think like a Budgie and you will understand how he feels and that will help you as you try to train him. Budgies can train quickly but you need to undo the fear of hands that your budgie has learned and also the fear of going back to his cage. So your guy may take a little longer to learn that the cage and the perch and your hands are safe. You can do this so dont think you cant or lose courage along the way ... it takes a lot of patience but you have one great advantage on your side because you have one really smart Budgie there, dont forget that as you train and that fact gives you a good head start along the road to training and taming. Clipping feathers doesnt tame any bird ...you want him coming to you because he wants to not because he has no choice and cant get away from the hands he fears. Plus he is losing out on the exercise of flying which is very important too for good muscle and health. Good Luck...you can do this and once you madter this you can do so much more...the sky is the limit

GraciesMom · Jul 19, 2016

BIRDIGIRL said:
Firstly you need to secure his cage...cable tie shut any doors you dont use and securely clip shut the door you use...is he opening the feeding bowl openings if so then secure them either with some sort of secure clip that he cant open or permenantly shut them and place a food bowl hanging from insde the bars of his cage...make sure two that the bars of the cage are not wide enough for him to squeeze through as some budgies can escape that way...I would love your budgie because he is so intelligent...really he is...what you need to understand is that at the moment your Budgie is scared of you . The way he sees it every time you come near him he is chased or grabbed or towelled and the reason he doesnt want to go back to his cage is because he knows its not safe there as you will grab him again...grabbing budgies while I appreciate you had to keep him safe is not helpful when you are ttying to tame one. So first off make that cage a safe area where you dont grab him and make it escape proof. Then leave him for a few days to settle and realise his cage is a safe spot. Do your cage spot clean and the changing of food and water bowls etc while speaking softly to him but no touching whatsoever..do it for a week or more and if he flutters in his cage keep doing it until he stops fluttering and calmly watches you put your hands in his cage without him getting scared. To do this you will need to put your hand into his cage several times daily and speak to him but never touch him or chase him round the cage. The next step is to introduce him to a little perch and see if he will perch on it for you...budgies are not the best at coming to take a treat from your hand but if he does it thsts great if not then just keep getting him used of the little perch...to do this choose a perch that will fit inside your cage but is as long as possible and one that fits on the floor of your cage. Leave the perch on the floor of the cage for a few days and during this time gently pick it up inside the cage and place it back on the floor several times a dsy for a number of days while talking softly to your budgie...dont spook him with it and dont chase him. Slowly after a few days of the perch being inside his cage on the floor of the cage (and it may take several days) and you moving it about inside the cage for a few days raise the perch slowly under him and if he doesnt fly off gently push it inwards and upwards under his chest just above his feet and say:"step up" he should step up onto the perch. All of these things take patience and they dont happen overnight...dont be tempted to chase him and try to take shortcuts the whole idea of all this is to show him that he is safe with you...its trust building and thats what you need not wing clipping. Once he is stepping up onto a perch you can use it to take him out of the cage...again carry the cage to a small sized room with no perches or places he can use to perch...bathrooms are good spots as they are usually small spaces but make sure there are no holes anywhere for him to go through no fan and no open window and also make sure the lid on the toilet is closed...let him fly round the room and offer him the perch(the one he is used of from the cage) saying step up as he perches on it...when you get this far come back and I will give you more advice on taming...think like a Budgie and you will understand how he feels and that will help you as you try to train him. Budgies can train quickly but you need to undo the fear of hands that your budgie has learned and also the fear of going back to his cage. So your guy may take a little longer to learn that the cage and the perch and your hands are safe. You can do this so dont think you cant or lose courage along the way ... it takes a lot of patience but you have one great advantage on your side because you have one really smart Budgie there, dont forget that as you train and that fact gives you a good head start along the road to training and taming. Clipping feathers doesnt tame any bird ...you want him coming to you because he wants to not because he has no choice and cant get away from the hands he fears. Plus he is losing out on the exercise of flying which is very important too for good muscle and health. Good Luck...you can do this and once you madter this you can do so much more...the sky is the limit

Excellent advice.. great post!

I don't have anything to add except good luck & don't give up.. patience will be key, I'm sure you can do it

Jeans · Jul 19, 2016

All the doors have twist ties on them! And I do love him for intelligence. It is what I love most. And I know for a fact that he is afraid of me because he is smart! I would be terrified as well. And that is not true... Randomly through out the day I will set my hand inside or outside his cage at a comfortable distance to him. I have never grabbed him while he is inside his cage

Again, I do not chase him inside his cage. I will start all of this tomorrow. Thank you so much. I had started something similar to this when I first got him but it didn't seem to work. You have explained in a great deal more detail.

Again, thank you so much! I was feeling quite lost with him.

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BIRDIGIRL · Jul 19, 2016

Jeans said:
All the doors have twist ties on them! And I do love him for intelligence. It is what I love most. And I know for a fact that he is afraid of me because he is smart! I would be terrified as well. And that is not true... Randomly through out the day I will set my hand inside or outside his cage at a comfortable distance to him. I have never grabbed him while he is inside his cage

Again, I do not chase him inside his cage. I will start all of this tomorrow. Thank you so much. I had started something similar to this when I first got him but it didn't seem to work. You have explained in a great deal more detail.

Again, thank you so much! I was feeling quite lost with him.

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Dont feel lost you are off to a good start...the fact that you have not grabbed him or chased him round inside his cage is a great bonus to you starting off. You will get there but it will take a whole lot of time and patience and we are here to cheer you on when you think you are getting nowhere...you know the darkest hour is always the hour just before dawn. Dont ever think of giving up on training him because the next moment could be the moment your budgie decides to come to you

Jeans · Jul 19, 2016

Thank you so much! I never thought joining this forum would help this much!

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BIRDIGIRL · Jul 19, 2016

Jeans said:
Thank you so much! I never thought joining this forum would help this much!

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You are very welcome and Best of Luck with your training trust building and bonding

RavensGryf · Jul 19, 2016

Hi there, Birdigirl has given you some great advice there. It can take a lot of time, just going very slowly with each step, and backing off when you see the slightest bit of apprehension or fear. Just hang in there and be very patient! Consistency is key as well.

I am concerned about 2 things though... you say you have "twist ties" on the doors. Are these the type that come with garbage bags and have a small wire core? If so, that can be potentially dangerous to little inquisitive mouths. Also, the fact that your bird can still escape the cage despite having them tied shut, makes me think it might be a good idea to keep your eyes open for a new cage? A bird's cage needs to be secure.

Lastly, I wonder why your budgie is trying to escape only since they have been together with another bird? Are you sure he's not being bullied or picked on? If so, another cage is in order for sure. All the best!

Jeans · Jul 19, 2016

They are not like that. I guess the correct term is zip tie?

He has been escaping for months actually. It has only become an issue to me because I have a larger bird in the same room (only recently got her) who also needs playtime and I would rather not take the risk of having both out together.

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BIRDIGIRL · Jul 19, 2016

Jeans said:
They are not like that. I guess the correct term is zip tie?

He has been escaping for months actually. It has only become an issue to me because I have a larger bird in the same room (only recently got her) who also needs playtime and I would rather not take the risk of having both out together.

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You need to find out how he is escaping...can you leave the room and video tape the escape or rig a camera so you can observe it because to secure him in his cage which is your first step you must find the point of escape...if its through the bars then you will need a new cage with narrower space between the bars...what spacing is between the bars of your cage ? ..
Can we see a pic of the cage ?

shesaravenclaw · Jul 19, 2016

"Clipping feathers doesnt tame any bird ...you want him coming to you because he wants to not because he has no choice and cant get away from the hands he fears. Plus he is losing out on the exercise of flying which is very important too for good muscle and health."
The clipping suggestion want for the sake of gaming ,it was for the sake of safety until she can figure out how he's escaping and get him to reliably step up when he does. This way she's not charging him and trying to towel him.
Just wanted to clarify.

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Jeans · Jul 19, 2016

Currently it is a mess because he ripped apart his toys but they are being replaced tmr and the whole cage scrubbed.

I fixed the doors differently and he has not gotten out. If he doesn't get tomorrow, it means he is secure because he usually gets out within an hour. I think that problem is resolved! Yay!

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Jeans · Jul 19, 2016

Also, how would I go about cleaning his cage (besides spot cleaning) when he is inside without terrifying him?

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