help with new budgie!

[mom]

We recently purchased a hand fed english budgie. He seemed pretty sweet with the breeder, but since we have had him I have noticed he is very bossy. He is extremely quick to bite even though he wants to come out of the cage and "whines" to come out. As soon as he is out he bites. If we put our hands in the cage he will hop down and bite. He will step up, but if he doesn't want to, he bites. We have cannot let him on our shoulders--his favorite spot--because he bites hard if we try to take him off. He is to be a pet for my 7 year old and she can't handle him as he seems to be worse with the kids and best with my husband--the only person in the household who isn't afraid of him! I assumed he would be skittish with us and he would take some time getting used to us, but I am worried about how quick he is to bite--and how hard he is biting. He draws blood! What should we do? We have another parakeet and while she doesn't like to come out of her cage, she is very sweet and gentle, allowing us to pet her in the cage and she will take treats from us. She just doesn't like to come out--which is fine and I figure eventually she will warm up enough to want to venture out.

Not sure what to do!! He seems to just be an ornery dude and not a good fit for our family, but I am trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. Thanks for any advice--

[SouthernFried]

How long have you had him? Even though he was hand fed at the breeder's doesn't mean he won't need time to adjust. He may simply be nervous in his new home which is why he bites. But if you have had him a while already then I'm not sure. I am interested to see what others may say. Good luck!

[mom]

We have had him for more than two weeks. Originally, she said to just take him out a few times a day and he should be fine. We did that, sat by the cage, read stories to him, etc. Incidentally, I was just changing the water in the cage and stuck my hand in to fix the bottle and he hopped down and bit me! I was pleased to see that he was coming to say hello until he beak sank in to my flesh. Stinker!!!!!

[nyc-budgie]

My Yuki is a biter too. Oddly, she will get on my hand but once she is there she will bite my hand like crazy. She has never drawn blood tho. In my case, Yuki is afraid. When Yuki is biting, I ignore it. I think it is best not to react. Although I have had Yuki for 9 months, I am still trying to get her to not fear my hands. I wish I had advice for you but I think the biting is mostly due to fear. Two weeks is not a long time. Maybe you should not take him out for a while. Maybe he just needs a little more time to settle in.

[FaeryBee]

I think the very best advice anyone can offer is for you to read through all the FAQs and the stickies located at the top of each section of the forum. You'll find most all of your basic questions are answered after you've read through all of them.

Some budgies do not like to be touched. It sounds as if your budgie is very territorial and likes the reactions he gets when he bites.

Good luck, and please let us know how things progress with him.

[Pekoe]

FaeryBee has some good advice
I would back off on taking him out for the time being. He has to learn that you control his time out of the cage and if he wants out he has to be friendly. Time outside of the cage should be enjoyable for everyone. Perhaps some bonding from behind bars is best for now.