#stormybabe

[aviomen]

Fight me!!!

[pepperandpals]

I have a question about handling budgies. I have two: Buddy (whose possibly close to 15 years old) and Layla (under a year). Buddy is alright, but Layla is really flighty, bitey and fast. I want to be able to handle her like I can Buddy but I just don't know how to do it without tiring her out completely and grabbing her (where I think she's more panicked and scared than anything). What could you suggest?

Hello! I’m answering this pretty early in the morning, so I hope you see this. This might be a bit long.

Sooooo I’m not the best at taming birds, but I can give you some tips that have helped me. First, a confession: The only really tame budgie in the apartment is Marshmallow, my roommate’s budgie. The reason he tamed down so quick is largely due to his personality. He’s a really sweet and curious bird, so he didn’t have too much of a problem with people. Pepper is really tame, but that’s because he came to me hand-fed and has been with me for 20 years. Popcorn, my budgie, he’s… not too tame. He’s getting better, but he’s still pretty frightened of people. Luckily, he’s not aggressive and he’s becoming more and more accepting of human contact. 

How quickly and easy your bird will tame depends on a few factors: If they were hand-fed, where you got them, and their personality. Obviously, hand-fed birds are the easiest, those that are parent-fed are distrustful of people. Where you got your bird friend will also matter. I’ve found this is especially true for budgies. When they are in a pet store, they are usually kept in large numbers in a small space. This tends to make them somewhat wild and afraid. There’s always exceptions, like Marshmallow, but when it comes to pet stores, I find Popcorn to be the norm.

Here’s some things that helped me get Popcorn at least a bit friendlier:

1. If you feel ok about it and you can safely do it, clip your birds wings. I know this is a controversial topic, but I personally do clip my birds wings for a couple reasons. First, when I brought Popcorn home he flew into the wall twice and hit his head so hard his cere bled a little bit. Second, once Pepper flew away. Luckily we were able to get him back, but it was so heartbreaking that I never want it to happen again. Clipped wings do not hurt the bird, and will keep them out of dangerous places and hurting themselves. This will also prevent the bird from flying up high and out of reach as you attempt to tame it. Just be careful, and if you are uncomfortable doing it, see if the vet or maybe even a pet store will do it.

2. Sit close to the bird or have it sit close to you. Show the bird that you aren’t a threat by quietly sitting near it’s cage everyday for a while. Or you can have the bird near you as you do something quiet. What I did was I set up a perch with food near my computer and let Popcorn sit on it on the desk as I worked. If he jumped off, I just put him back. I would recommend doing this after some quiet time in the cage first before having the bird out, if they are really flighty. Eventually he calmed down and would sit and watch me type. Just as long as you are near the bird and quiet for a while every day without interacting with it, until it’s comfortable with your presence.

3. Millet: I have yet to meet a bird that didn’t like millet. I give it to my birds as a treat, and I use it as a taming tool. After your bird is comfortable with you near them, you can try to feed them millet from your hand. That way they associate you with good things, like food. This will also get the bird to come a little closer.

4. You can try to get them to learn “step up” if they are not too afraid. Just gently press your finger into it’s belly until it steps up onto your finger. You can play “the ladder game” by having the bird go from one hand to the other if they are willing. If your bird is aggressive and bites hard, you may need to get some gloves. I wouldn’t try to pet just yet though.

5. Use another bird to show humans aren’t bad. Does your new budgie get along with your older budgie? If so, another helpful step would be to interact with both birds as you tame the younger one. Popcorn and Marshmallow really like being around each other. Popcorn is less likely to fly off if Marshmallow is around. So I’ll do “step up” with both at the same time. Popcorn is less afraid and learns from Marshmallow’s example. This has been really helpful for me.

And that’s honestly about all I have. That’s as far as Popcorn has gotten anyway. He will step up, and it less flighty and bitey, but he still won’t let me pet his head yet. He’ll stay on my shoulder… most of the time, and he loves crawling down hoodies and sweatshirts, but if I try to pet him or move too quickly, he’s gone. But, I have faith he’ll become more calm as time goes on. His personality is just a lot more nervous than Marshmallow. I think it just takes time for some budgies to realize you won’t eat them. Just don’t give up on your bird. It’s about showing the bird that they can trust you.

I’d like to recommend also asking keukaswill on her tumblr. She’s really knowledgeable and gives great answers. She’s a bird owner and works in a shop that sells birds and bird supplies.

Here’s some more resources I found:

WikiHow

PetBudgie.com

BudgiePlace.com

PawNation

Good luck! Let me know if you have more questions, and I’ll see what I can do. Thanks for stopping my my ask box!

[boneslikegranite]

stormybabe replied to your post: M U S I C

I pick at the skin on my fingers too :C

Oh gosh really?! Ahhh it sucks, am I right?  :C

[chellodello]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETY!!! *throws tasty treats and plushies in the air*

[rhv]

stormybabe replied to your post “WOW SO I TOTALLY OVERSLEPT AND ALMOST MISSED CLASS FJDKGLFDGFD”

Again??

is there a problem with that ಠ_ಠ

[rhv]

stormybabe replied to your post: “someone help me find actor/model/celebrity/whatever/real people...”:

One of the Hemsworth boys

... omg

[atwotonedbird]

stormybabe replied to your post“Watched the first two episodes of the swimming anime. So far~ It’s...”

They do get better in a few more episodes. Keep at it :D

  Okay if you say so~ :3

[thejakejake]

Hello :3

1. First impression: Urgh... I can't remember it but it probably had something to do with being Bri's friend.

2. Truth is:  You're a really cool and kind person and we should have became friends earlier.

3. How old do you look:  I'm terrible with ages, but, 18/19?

4. Have you ever made me laugh: Yeah.

5. Have you ever made me mad: Not to my knowledge...?

6. Best feature: Personality, probably.

7. Have I ever had a crush on you: Nah.

8. You’re my:  Better than most friend.

9. Name in my phone:  Don't have you in my phone.

10. Should you post this too? Sure, if you haven't already.