New Parakeet - is he happy?

Question

Hi, I just got a parakeet an have been reading about them. My parakeet is somewhat quiet, and I read somewhere that this is not good, a quiet parakeet is not a happy one. He chirps here and there and just started. He doesn't play with his toys. He has bells, mirrors, they are colorful. any idea what other types of toys he may enjoy? And what about treats?? How can I make him happier and perhaps he is content?? Any advice would be great. I spend time with him every day. He appears ok, he is just quieter than I expected, a lot quiter than my cockatiel I had years ago. I am wondering, maybe he needs a mate? I don't know, i just want him to be a happy bird. Is he?? Please help!!
:0)

I have had him for a little over 1 week, about 12 days.

And I talk to him every day as well. I was just curious about maybe different toys, he doesn't do much playing with his toys.

Answer 1

A mate would probably be a good idea. parakeets are extreamly friendly birds and like birdy company, as well as human. the toy you have all sound great, except for the mirrors. if you are planing to try and bond with your bird, you'll probably want to ditch the mirrors. He/She could bond with the little birdy in the mirror, and not want anything to do with you, except for food and water. not all birs will do this, but better safe than sorry right? as far as the others, they love lots of string, beads, bells, wodden and/or plastic shapes, wire, paper towl tubes, and pretty much anything colorful that they can chew on, as long as it is big enough that they cant swallow it. as far as treats, the love spray millet, brocholi, shreaded carrots, celery, and leafy veggies. like one of the other answers said, they like people talking, listening to the radio, especialy stringed instumants and girl voises. it is also a good idea to take him out and just spend time with him. o, another thing, they love to take baths. you can give it a bird bath in its cage, put him in the sink with the water running gentaly, or, as i like to do, spray him with som warm water through a spray bottle. if you do the sink thing, put something non-slippy in the bottom of the sink, and adjust the water so that it would just cover his legs in the shallow part. the deep part should be like ~ 3 in. if you have a flat bottom sink, put something in the middle so that he can get out of the water if he wants to. when you put him in, put him in the shallow part and let him go in the water when he is good and ready. also, don't leave the room wile he is in there, just in case. good luck!

Answer 2

12 days is not long enough for a bird to adjust. You need to give him longer. He will do fine. It sounds like you are doing all the right things. Just give him plenty of attention. He does not need a mate as long as you have the time to spend with him. My parakeet does not have a mate and he loves me and chirps all the time, dings his bells. He even tries to preen my hair. I have also taught him tricks.

Just give your bird time. With the toy issue. Just try to get a variety of toys to try to find your birds interest. I found that my parakeet only likes toys with bells and his "goofy links". He is extremely picky. He also loves a variety of perches. Different shapes, sizes, and textures (like the stick ones, concrete ones, wood, and plastic)

Parakeets will be quieter than a cockatiel for sure. I know music really gets my parakeet going. You could try that with yours. Just keep it up with talking to him. You can also give him spray millet. Birds love that.

Answer 3

Some birds don't like toys. It does sound lonely or possibly, very frightened. Is it in a relatively quiet room? Make sure no other pets are in the same room like cats or dogs. I would try a companion for it! Some birds also are just noiser than others. My one 'tiel is sooo loud and annoying but one of my females doesn't utter a single chirp.

Answer 4

I leave my cage door open and that i've got a ladder on the door. My parakeet is able to come again out as she pleases and pass down the ladder. on the tip of the ladder I certainly have a playground set for her to play on. it is not very bid and would not soak up any room. in basic terms be effective to close the door once you leave or once you're cooking. Mine likes to stand on the door and go searching to work out the place she will pass next.

Answer 5

There's another post on here where I listed some interactive toys, and that might be the trick for your bird. First things first, when he's out of his cage with you, show him how fun his toys are! Make him want to take the reins from you, using foot toys and foraging / educational toys:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/NavResults.cfm?N=2003+114093
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=11724&N=2003+113127

You can also give him the sense of a pal to talk to using the Budgie Buddy (it talks!) and fill his world with music and images while you're gone using CD's and videos. Parakeets are smart. They have efficient little brains :
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=5820&Ntt=budgie%20buddy&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=0&Nty=1
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=14291&N=2003+2024
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=10246&N=2003+2024
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=6375&N=2003+2024

Of course, none of these things replace you; having them at your disposal will just help teach your bird how to play while you're gone.

Answer 6

Birds should be free to fly, not kept in a cage. If you love your bird and want him to be happy, build an outdoor aviary and buy him some friends. Parakeets aren't stupid - he isn't going to mistake his own reflection in a mirror for another bird.

Answer 7

You don't say how long you have had it but it can take a few days to a week for it to settle down in his new home.
Care sheets are free on my web site
htp://www.artsaquaticsandanimals.co.uk

Answer 8

Play music and talk to him