I did a bad thing.....

Pinkstiletto66

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Left the cage door open, just so my untame Birdie can get use to me. Within one minute he flew out, and is currently jiving in front of the mirror. How will I get him back in, and how should I bond with him. How long should I let him explore?
 

Neravas

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lol, sit and talk with him i guess. Let him know you are not threatening and offer him some treats
 

Remy

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Just keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't destroy/poop on/get into anything he shouldn't! Lol.

If you're unable to catch him when you need to, you could maybe guide him into the bathroom or a smaller room or something, so to make it easier to catch him, or if it's a bird proof room you could leave him there for a while. I've caught birds (very carefully) with a butterfly net before (generally wild birds that have gotten inside the house).
 
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Pinkstiletto66

Pinkstiletto66

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I'm going to go check the fridge. I'm out of grapes, and he didn't like the red pepper I gave him. He's still chatting with his reflection. Well, I think he's starting to become a little warmer. Last time I had the cage open for three minutes, he wasn't too concerned and didn't think about leaving.
 

IcyWolf

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There are two things you can try. Sometimes Billie is a pain in the butt to get back in his cage, so if we are in a hurry we will turn our light in our room down really low(it's on a dimmer), then ask him to step up and just carry him to his cage. Birds don't seem to be able to see well in low light, and from my experience, they will not try to fly if they can't see. Even birds who aren't super friendly seem pretty willing to step up when the lighting is dim. I let our budgies out to fly and they are terrified of people. Their cages are in our laundry room, which is attached to our bedroom. I prefer them to stay in that room on top of their cages, just so they don't poop all over stuff. So, if they fly into our bedroom, I usually just dim our light and keep the laundry room light on and they will fly into the room with the light. :) Following this theory, you could even put a flashlight or something on your birds cage, dim the light in the rest of the room, and maybe he will just go to the cage so he can see again. I know it sounds weird, but it may work. It works for me every time. If it seems to stress him out at all I wouldn't do it. But our birds don't seem to get freaked out when the lighting is low, they just are very cautious about taking off or running away and they seem pretty willing to come to us just for the added help.
 

Remy

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Doing this could also be a good way for your bird to get used to you, even if it's from a distance at first. That, and it can get some exercise!
 

Mamanda

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I used to do that with Keen and could NOT catch her. Until she got to where she'd come to me, or go into her cage with me asking, I would leave her out as long as I could. If I HAD to leave, I knew I had to get her back in her cage, so I'd resort to very gently placing a baby receiving blanket over her (because otherwise she'd jump around) and then very gently pick her up and put her in her cage. I always gave her a treat afterwords too.
 

MikeyTN

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Have you tried just going up to him to see if he would come to you? It's easier to have him clipped if you want to train him to step up! BUT you can train a flighted bird. You just have to bring them into a smaller room with the door closed. Easier to keep them near by so they won't fly everywhere you can't get to. Good luck!
 
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Pinkstiletto66

Pinkstiletto66

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Well he's half and half. Was clipped but awhile ago, so can glide. I liked the idea of being able to safely land somewhere, however they time he's tamed he will be fully flighted. He ate next to me, now he's ventured off. I tried offering a finger, but to no avail. I will have to get him once my son is awake, and needs to be on the floor.
 
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Pinkstiletto66

Pinkstiletto66

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fortunately my mirror is in the corner so I cornered him and used a soft pillow case. Gave him some head scratches and in he went.
 

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