I heard that you can train your parakeets (budgies) to become tame, they will actually perch on your hand?

Question

is this true, i was thinking of getting one, but ive cleaned my friends parakeet cage out, and the parakeets were flapping their wings and all upset because io put my hand in there. but someone told me that their parakeet was tame, and would let you hold it, is this true? and are parakeets a type of parrot?

Answer 1

Parakeets can be very gentle and fun loving. They all have different personalities. My first bird was a parakeet and I was not sure how to 'tame' them. A couple of years later I got a Nanday Conure who was pre-owned, and is very, very sweet. The Conure taught my parakeet to be sweet and easy to perch. Parakeets can talk also, but they speak very quickly and some people don't realize they can have a large vocabulary.

good luck & blessing

Answer 2

Yes, and yes. They both can be tamed and they ARE a species of parrot (the second smallest). And take note that the word 'parakeet' is very vague and describes an entire group of PARROTS with somewhat stout builds and long tails. Your friend probably hasn't spent enough time training them, because budgies are full of affection that they can share with you, and it's a shame your friend hasn't put the time aside to earn their trust and assure them that people won't hurt them.

Parrots need to build trust up for you, so you can't expect it to be instantaneous that they come to perch on your finger or let you hold them. The first step is sitting by the cage and spending a lot of time near the bird, so it can grow comfortable having you there and so close. Never try to open the cage within the first few days, because the bird needs to adjust to its new surroundings and will already be somewhat frightened. (Also, you should take your bird to an avian vet within the first seven days you have it to guarantee that you got yourself a healthy bird, rather than having to deal with a multitude of health issues - a checkup is around $50. And while I'm at it, make sure the cage you get is horizontally long to allow decent flight, and that it's larger than twice the size of the bird with wings fully spanned, and bar spacing no larger than 1/2 inch. Bars should be made of stainless steel or coated in powder to be safest and avoid toxic metal poisoning.). When you can tell the bird is more comfortable with having you around, you can try slowly putting your hand in the cage. If it cowers, slowly withdraw and never make sudden movements around the bird. When it's comfortable with your hands so close, try putting a treat on your hand and bribe it into stepping up onto you.

Taming is a very slow, drawn out process, but to have the companion that you will in the end is very worth it.

And budgies, like all parrots, need a special diet. If you're just feeding your budgie seed, it'll be obese and probably succumb to fatty tumors or die early. You'll want to aim for a diet that is 80% fortified pellets, the best quality being Harrison's, Roudybush, and Zupreem, 10% fresh fruits, vegetables, pastas, and grains, and 10% seeds.

They also need a ton of toys to stay occupied when not playing with you, and they're such little clowns to watch play. Most budgies enjoy mirrors, bells, colorful beads, and shiny things, but you'll have to explore all types of toys to see what your individual bird will prefer.

Answer 3

Parakeet's are not a type of parrot and yes you can tame them. One of the best way is to make sure their wings are clipped, so when they fly, they drift to the floor. Believe it or not, this changes the whole attitude of the bird. Now they need you to get from point a to point b. In other words, they would need you to get them to their cage where their food and water is. That's a biggie. You won't believe how much a bird changes when their wings are clipped. Once you have worked with them and have gotten their trust, work on one command at a time. Like up up. Once they have got that down, so something else. Set a goal. After they will come to you walking on the floor on command, then you can let them have their flight feathers back. Then you can start working on them flying to you on command. They are fun birds and it's good to only have one. This way it will bond to you and not the other bird. Also, mirror's are a big no no. Then they bond to themselves. The males seem to be faster learners and they talk, the females don't. Males have a blue sier (nose) and the females can have anything from pink to brown sires. Hope this was helpful.

Answer 4

It is true that you can train your birds to perch on your hand or finger. The reason that your friend's birds freak out when you put your hand in their cage is probably because you are a stranger to them or they don't know you as well. You have to let the parakeet begin to trust you and then it will let you hold it. Also, parakeets are not parrots, they are a whole other bird family.

Answer 5

Yes you can tame parakeets. Your best bet would be to purchase a hand fed one - especially if it is your first ever bird. If your bird is hand fed, it is already tame and already sees you as a friend and not a threat so it is that much easier to bond with your pet. Remember if you do get a budgie that they are stubborn little critters, so if you want them to try a new food or a new toy, you have to be persistent and keep giving it to them for days/weeks/months (depending on the personality of the particular one) before they will acknowledge it :)

Answer 6

I've had many birds over the years and some of them parakeets. I don't know of any that wouldn't eagerly want to sit on my finger or fly to my shoulder (once tamed you can leave the cage open so they come and go as they please. Just make sure the doors and windows are screened and no cats). Once you give them the idea that nothing bad's going to happen they'll come to look forward to being taken out of the cage and eventually flying to you.

Be patient and imagine how you'd approach a wild bird in the yard. No sudden moves, don't bring foreign objects near, and above all don't force the bird to do it if he panicks. Come back another time and attempt it more gradually. At first it may be best to hand-feed some bread crumbs to the bird while in the cage to get acquainted before attempting this. The goal is to get him to allow you to bring your finger to the spot just over his toes and he'll step onto your finger. When he does this don't take him out yet. Do this a few times with the bird in the cage before gradually easing your hand out. Remember in all things EASY DOES IT and it'll work.

Answer 7

I have had budgies before that all perched on my hand, shoulder, and head or wherever they could land..lol It will take some time and effort on your part though. When you first get the budgie you need to take a week to get it used to having your hand in its cage. Just put your hand inside the cage several times a day and leave it there. At first the budgie will flap around but eventually it will get used to it. Now move your hand closer to the budgie and let it get used to that for a couple of days. Then take your index finger and gently push against its lower chest...this causes it to 'step up' onto your finger. Hold your hand there in the cage and let it get used to that for a few days too..patience pays off. Next close all windows and doors and make sure any water, pots etc are covered and get him to step up on your finger again. Slowly take your hand from the cage...talk to him and move slowly. You can put him on the table...mine loved that...he liked to drop pens off the side and chew up any paper he found. He will probably fly around but eventually he will land somewhere you can gently retrieve him from. You need to let him out AT LEAST once a day and play and interact with him or he will revert back to a biting beasty...lol They are a kind of parrot and are very curious and fun...watch out for earrings if you have him on your shoulder...they love to nibble them. Have fun with your bird and remember to be gentle and quiet and you will have a great time. By the way if you want him to talk always buy a male...the younger the better.

Answer 8

Yes it IS true. Try to get a young one,ie, no older than three-four months and a single male. A single bird is far easier to train,(and will talk)providing it is done correctly..............patience,time,and gentle handling!! Always allow your bird time to settle into his new surroundings before you commence training.
Yes,Parakeets are a member of the Parrot family,hence their ability to talk.

Answer 9

I have two parakeets!

The blue one was tortured by teenagers and will not perch at all, and pretty much does what you said.

The yellow one I purchased last week is more friendly than her male counterpart, so past owners are important.