I have a budgie and I would like for her to get use to being picked up how do I do this?

Question

I would like to be able to have her back in the palm of my hand and my fingers around her front. She will step up on to my finger with no problem and that took almost a year. I'd like to be able to do this so that visits to the vet will be easyer and less stress on the vet, myself and Belle (my bird). If you know what to do please help.

Answer 1

Practice practice practice. Unless they learned it early, they never like it at first. You can gently wrap the bird in a washcloth (to prevent biting) and talk cheerfully to her. Or you can learn to hold her beak while holding her, to prevent biting, until she gets used to the idea. I find it helpful to blow under the bird's wing or into her feathers while handling her; for some reason they like this, as well as kissing sounds. Ruffle the neck feathers gently, see if she likes that. If she succeeds in biting you, use all of your willpower and don't punish her (birds don't understand punishment) and don't reward her by letting go, if you can help it! Let her go when she is calm. Does she let you pet her back at all? Often females will, and often males won't, even when they are tame. If she will let you pet her back, this may help her when you start holding her.

Answer 2

Practice with the room a little dark. Parakeets and budgies are much more docile when there is less light. I spent the most time training my parakeets at night before going to bed.

Answer 3

Get her calm and attempt it. Keep doing this everyday several times a day to help her get used to it more quickly. She will gradually get used to it.

Answer 4

Give her her favorite treat such as lettuce when shes on your finger.

Answer 5

all you can do is be persistent but patient its where your bird feels comfortable that it will allow.

Answer 6

trims its feather it makes them be more gentle because it lets them know they depend on you more than themselves