Pinkie Pie and Benjamin Green

[Rani]

They were adopted from a bin o' budgies (what an alliterative term!), because in my area that's about all there is. I know that it will take time and patience, I just hope that they end up being friendly!

My son would love it if at least one learned to talk, but that's not my priority, I'd like them to be hand tame and willing to perch on shoulders.

The first day here, they were scared stiff and barely moved, so I haven't been pushing them too hard.

I've started out spending time off and on through the day sitting on a chair next to their cage, chatting to them, and occasionally opening the door and slowly putting my hand in the cage. The first couple days, they let me pet their bellies and would step onto my finger, but the last 2 days they have decided to flap around like crazies whenever I open the door. I'd let them out, but neither one trusts me enough to help get them out of their cage.

[Birdmanca]

It takes some time to build trust. They are much smaller than you, so must go easy as to not scare them. Also, not all birds will turn out to be friendly towards people. There is a good chance you will succed with them.

[FaeryBee]

When you bring a new bird into your home.
It is going to be terrified and need time to acclimate to its new surroundings.

If you get additional birds, remember to quarantine the new birds in a separate cage in a different part of your home, as far away from your other birds as possible. Quarantine should last from 4-6 weeks, during which time you should watch your new budgie for any signs of illness.

You should not try to handle or touch your new bird for a period of about 2 weeks.
The bird must acclimate to the surroundings.
Budgies are often submissive the first few days you have them simply because they are so scared. :(

The budgie may sit quietly and not move, chirp or sing much. If it chooses to sit near the bottom of the cage, you may want to scatter some seed on the floor of the cage so that it can find food until it learns where its food dish is located.

During your first two week period with your new bird, sit quietly by the budgie’s cage and read, sing or talk to it for a period of at least 10-15 minutes. Do three or four sessions a day.

After the second or third day, you may rest your hand on the outside of the budgie’s cage when you sit and talk to him. This will help the budgie learn that your hand is safe and will not hurt it.

After about a week, you can rest your hand inside the cage when you sit and talk to your budgie. Don’t make sudden moves, and don’t try to touch your bird. Just let it get used to the idea that the hand is now in its safe place and is not harming it.

When two weeks have passed, you can begin moving your hand slowly toward the budgie and begin your taming and bonding sessions.

[Rani]

That's pretty much what I have switched to doing, I chat with them when I feed them, and sit near their cage so they can get used to me. Earlier today, Benjamin Green scolded me for leaving the room, so I think that's a good sign. Both of them also got very alert and excited when they saw me refill their food dish just a little bit ago - I think they are at least understanding that when the big person moves those shiny round dish things around, food happens.

It's a big pain reminding my kids every few minutes to keep their fingers out of the cage, though! They keep forgetting and want to pet the birds so badly, and when I told them they can't try for another 2 weeks, my son said it's not fair for them to be so pretty, because he just HAS to touch them. So I decided that as Benjamin Green moults, I'll let my kids touch the fallen-out feathers, instead of feathers ON the bird :rolleyes: