parakeets are terrified?

Question

i have 2 budgies and they are kept in the living room where they can be around people ( i have a very quiet house) i talk to them, give them attention, they seem to like it but as soon as i open the cage they freak out! i got them when they were juveniles and had them for 3 years now. I tried the whole slowly putting your hand in, so they get used to it several times daily routine, as well as offer them treats- but they completely don't trust me. even if i leave the cage open all day they won't leave- they might climb to the top, but they don't want to fly really. they have bonded with eachother and sing happily all day, so i know they arent depressed. they also refuse to eat pellets and fresh fruits and veggies- anything that doesn't look like a seed gets angrily thrown away or they are terrified of it. is there any other way to gain their trust, and to get them to eat healthier? i tried only giving pellets- gradually switching them over- but they refused to eat, so i relente

Answer 1

Dear CC, how your story brings old and beautiful memories of my beloved parakeet, Cookie. I had him for 6 years and a half, but unfortunately he died, because of old age, my doctor told me. He has never even wanted to try pellets, or fruits or vegetables. He used to like toast bread. It would be times when I pretended I was eating a pellet and I would say 'Ummm that is so nice' and because they are curious by nature he would come and try and take a bite but as soon as he realized it was a pellet he would throw it out. The same with veggies and fruits, but I noticed he also loved tea biscuits. He trusted the back side of the human hand, he would come if I offered him the back of the hand but as soon as he saw the palm or fingers coming towards him he would freak out and fly away.

As for your parakeets I think you should leave the cage open all day, or at least for the time you are in the room. In time they will start becoming curious about things surrounding them and they will try to fly on top of the highest furniture in the room. Just be patient and don't force anything, parrots in general are very sensitive and sometimes it may take a long time for them to get adjusted to the way you want them to. If they spent too much time in their cages it might take a long time until they will be brave enough to start exploring the outside of the cage, it's enough for one of them to start exploring and the other one will follow.

Now I have a green cheek conure and boy he rules in the house and flies everywhere possible, I have to keep an eye on him like on a live bomb.

First time when I got Cookie he will spent all the time on top of my bookshelves where nobody could reach him (he would fly down to the cage only to eat, drink water and sleep). Once I was looking through some fashion magazines (parrots love the sound of paper - because they love chewing on it and bright colors that magazines offer in their pics) he fkew down on the couch as he was very curious about the magazines. I just pretended I didn't notice him and slowly he climbed up on my lap and he started chewing on the pages and this was our first step to bonding. From that moment on everything became easier and easier. I used to keep him on the back of my hand and talk to him, sing and then slowly kiss his beak.

You could also try to get their attention by playing with one of their favourite toy if they have one. Play with it somewhere where they can see, normally they should become interested and fly to you. With Cookie after a while, it was enough to be in a different room and just the noise of the toy would make him fly to me.

Answer 2

Birds can be like this until you tame them and teach them that they don't have to be scared of you. I think it's built into them to be naturally very vigilant, because they are easy prey out in the wild. The best way to tame them is with constant practice.

The first thing to do is make your hand seem less scary. When you put your hand in the cage, do it very slowly...maybe hold a palm full of birdseed in it. Then (and this is the boring part so make sure you are in a comfortable position with your arm is supported!) sit there. Sit there and don't move your hand for like 10 minutes. While you're doing this, talk to your bird(s) softly, maybe sing a little bit. This will help them relax a little. They probably won't eat out of your hands the first several times you do this but they will at least start to learn that your hand is not a threat and that you are respecting their space.

Whenever you feed/water your new budgie, move slowly. I've found that if I pause before putting my hand in their cage, this helps them calm down. I'll open the door slowly and deliberately and get their food dish, making it clear that I am not going to grab them (their worst fear).

Eventually you will teach them to go on your finger. Once they are less afraid of your hand, you can bring your hand into the cage and slowly bring your index finger up to one of the parakeets and hold it still right at the belly. There is something about applying gentle pressure to the belly region that makes a parakeet step up to a perch - so we want them to treat your finger like a perch. If they are scared and still fleeing around the cage, continue the hand exercises above until they are more used to it.

Have patience!

Answer 3

Since you have 2 budgies, they tend to want to hang out with each other more, and don't want to or feel the need to bond with you.

For fresh fruit and veggies, you need to find a fresh fruit or veggie that they like. Maybe they don't like the ones you are giving to them right now. Try raw carrots or raw broccoli. My budgies really like them!

Answer 4

Not to say it's a lost cause, but I'd give them to someone who could deal and get myself a cockatiel. Personally, I don't like either, but in my experience parakeets have allways been cage birds, and cockatiels are more the kind to be considered a 'pet' vs. a living conversation starter.

Nothing beats the big birds though, like macaws. There's nothing like making an animal that could take your fingers off in one go "pur" like a kitty.

Answer 5

I learned a lot of helpful tips on budgie parenting at http://www.budgietalk.com

I also like to discuss at http://www.theperch.net
It's full of parrot owners with years of experience.

Answer 6

lo...sounds like they are very attached to eachother- its normal- relax- anytime you have more than one bird that tends to happen- Im glad you're taking good care of them....just start leaving the cage open more often-they'll eventually get curious...try parsley- mine love it...

Answer 7

i saw you on tv!

you were on a date show! i think...

try to disguise ur hand as a branch or put on camelflash gluhvs