Really Scared new birds -- First time owner

[PhobosAndDeimos]

I just bought 2 budgies last night from Petco.

I got them all set up in the cage and I think they are pretty scared. At first they just sat at the bottom of the cage and didn't move for like 2 hours. Then they finally moved up to the lowest perch for another 2 hours. Then one of them went up the a swinging perch and the other climbed to the top of the cage and both of them appear to have been there all night. So they haven't moved perches for like 8-10 hours.

They haven't eaten or drank at all either. At least that I can tell.

Is this pretty normal, when they are new?

thanks.

[Budgiekin]

Welcome to the forum! We're glad you found us and we hope you stick around. And congratulations on getting your first budgies!

It is not unusual for budgies to be that scared when they first arrive in their new home. You may not see them eat or drink, or even move around, for several hours (even a couple of days).

Sometimes, they are actually eating and drinking when you are not watching them. Is there any evidence of seeds having been hulled? (You would see the hulls in their food cup). Also, are there any droppings/poops in the cage? What do the droppings look like (are they very small and dark with no white center portion? If so, it is likely your budgies have not been eating yet. . . . .)

Here are some things you can do to try to make them relax a little:

Put a food dish (and maybe a water dish too) near the perch where they seem to be hanging out (that way they won't have to move too far to get to the food).
Sprinkle some seed on the bottom of the cage so they can easily find it
Clip a piece of millet in their cage near the perch they are hanging out (most budgies love millet).
Make sure they are being given the same brand of seed that they had when they were in the store (many budgies won't eat anything new during their adjustment period).
Cover a part of their cage so they feel more protected.
Avoid trying to handle your new budgies for the first few days (at least until they seem more comfortable in their new surroundings)If I think of anything else, I will be sure to let you know. Those are just some things that I thought of off the top of my head. Be sure to keep us updated with how your little sweeties are doing!

[Amy]

Did you see there old enclosure/cage? Try to make it look a bit like that, then they might feel a bit more at home then.

And in short the same as Budgiekin.

[ETAHoffman]

They may be stressed out for several days but, once they get used to their new surroundings, you'll not be able to keep up with them. Try not to move their cage to a different spot any more than absolutely necessary. They seem to get oriented to a particular area and get nervous if you keep moving them around.

Also, cover them at night and try to keep the same schedule daily with them.

You might want to pick up a book on parakeets from your library or pet shop. You'll find lots of basic info that way. They are really easy to care for and bring so much happiness.

Welcome aboard.

[Amy]

Yes make daily routines scheduled, thats a good tip and so is keep them in the same place, well done!

[PhobosAndDeimos]

They are actually doing a lot better now.

I am curious about a few new thing though.

1). In the morning time there are a lot of birds outside my window chirping away. When Deimos hears them he goes 'crazy', in that he makes really loud noises. Is it bad for him to be hearing these other birds; like that he hears these other birds but can never get to them.

2). Both of them will stand on their food and water bowls, but be turned so their backside if over the bowls, so they alway end up pooping in them. Is this normal? Don't they realize they are doing it? Also Deimos will, instead of standing on the edge of the food bowl sometimes, he will sit inside of it and eat. Is that normal?

3). They don't seem to want to take a bath in a dish, so I have tried the spray bottle technique a few times, and after I mist them, they will rub cere on their rope perch. is this normal?

4). Finally, they spend alot of their time on their rope perch. What can I do to get them to use the other perches too?

Thanks

[ETAHoffman]

Even though they are cute and pretty, budgies aren't terribly bright! (I expect to get some comments on that....)

It isn't uncommon for them to sit IN their feeding dishes to eat.

As far as the way they turn on the dishes, they will invariably turn the wrong way right after you change the water. Not a whole lot you can do about that. I have a tame Quaker parrot who delights in soiling her drinking water. I change it several times a day. One benefit, however, is I don't jus throw the soiled water out. I use it to water potted plants. The plants love the "extra" benefit in the water. :-)

Don't worry about them sitting on the rope. As they get used to the surroundings, they will probably enjoy jumping from perch to rope etc. The less time you fret over them, at first, the better. Watching them closely might even make them a little more nervous. It takes a while for them to adjust to new surroundings.

The misting bottle is good. Just be sure they aren't in a draft when you mist them. I frequently turn the garden hose on a heavy mist setting and spray my aviaries. The birds love it. I do it no later than mid-afternoon however...on warm, sunny days.

[Amy]

About the singing to birds outside, It's totally normal and Billy and Lily sing to Blackbirds and sparrows all the time!

In fact they're doing it this very moment!