I have a new 12 week old budgerigar. I got it 2 days ago. How long each day should I spend finger taming him. At the moment he gets on my finger himself but then jumps straight off?, when will he stay on long enogh to bring out of the cage (also is that the correct way to start taming him?) Also at what age will he start learning to talk and how long a day should i talk to him.??
2006-10-25 13:44:08 · 8 answers · asked by blahblahblah 5 in Pets ➔ Birds
Use positive reinforcement training. Here are some websites:
http://www.naturalencounters.com/definitions.html
http://exoticpets.about.com/od/behavior/a/birdtraining.htm
The idea is very simple: You want your Budgie to WANT to be with you. Remove whatever treat he likes best from his regular diet: cheese, nuts ...whatever. Only give him that treat when you are training him. Take it slow and easy. Hold the treat behind the hand you want him to step up on, so that he has to step up ion order to get the treat. Once he does that, praise him wildly and give him a treat while he is doing nothing but standing on your hand. Return him to his perch using the "Step up" cue. When he steps up to his perch, praise wildly and treat him. Repeat.
Cue-bridge with the praise, treat and repeat.
Each time, make the increment of time a little longer between step downs from your hand.
Regarding talking: He's already listening to you. Begin greeting him the same way every day. Praise and treat him even if he's mumbling. He's trying to figure out how to use and control his syrinx. If you give him food, identify what it is, just like you would teach a child.
The best thing you can do is to spend time with him. Talk to him, play with him, pay attention to him and love him. Indirect attention is good too. At this moment, I have one bird on my shoulder who is trying to nestle under my hair, and 2 more on a playgym in the same room with me, watching me as I type. All is quiet, and everyone is happy. I may not be paying attention to them, but they are content. Every now and then one will say, "Hello" and I reply 'Hello" back. This is how they get my attention in this particular situation. Giving attention and positively reinforcing the behavior that you want will increase the behavior. Just keep at it, and you will be amazed.
Good Luck,
2006-10-26 06:20:20 · answer #1 · answered by Phoenix 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One of my lovebirds was really skittish when I first got her.
I let her observe me from her cage for a few days to get comfortable with the sight of me and my routine. Treats are always a good incentive - though the bird may be too skittish to accept it from your hand. Let him feel safe and don't make any sudden movements or go above his hand.
Show him your hand palm down - it's less threatening. It's a good sign that he gets on your finger at all. If he stays on your hand for a couple of seconds, reward him with a treat. Make sure he knows it's from you, even if he doesn't eat it out of your hands.
With some birds, its a slow process. Don't rush it, or it could frighten him where he won't trust you for a while. Let him make some initiatives.
2006-10-25 15:18:48 · answer #2 · answered by AutumnLilly 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you know what the birds favorite food is, any little treat he will 'flock' to you for, then give him/her this treat as a reward when landing on your finger. Then you can space out the time you give it with the length he or she stays on your finger.
So, he lands and eats, then fly's away.
Next time, when he lands don't give him his reward instantly wait a second then give it. Chances are he will fly away right after he eats it. So the longer you wait to give the treat, the longer he will stay on your finger to get it.
After you feel he is ok will staying on your finger you work on moving him around. So that way he will be ok with staying on your finger.
2006-10-25 14:02:17 · answer #3 · answered by Kiki D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to teach it to talk I would suggest not to teach it how to whistle or sounds like that try to teach it somes words thats what it said in the training manule.
2006-10-25 14:24:18 · answer #4 · answered by Kayla 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on the bird u can't predict when he will.he's just a little shy he's not used to the environment yet or you.he will soon though it just takes patients.keep on doing what u are doing with him if he is on your hand by himself you r doing great!KEEP IT UP!
GOOD LUCK!
2006-10-25 13:57:47 · answer #5 · answered by Rocker Chick 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are very cautious, you have to be patient
2006-10-25 13:46:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋