Budgerigars or parakeets are fun birds to keep as pets. While budgies are not difficult to tame, the taming process takes time, patience, and consistency. Don't forget to have fun while you tame your budgie; this process can be a satisfying experience for you and your pet!
Step
Part 1 of 3: Building Budgie Trust
Step 1. Allow the budgie to adapt to its environment
Budgies can be very nervous and restless animals. Taming a budgie will not be effective if he is nervous about his surroundings.
- If you've just bought a budgie, give it about 2 weeks to adapt to its new environment. One of the things he will do at this time is find out where to eat and drink in the cage.
- Place your budgie in a busy room during adaptation, if possible. While this may seem counterproductive, keeping her in a busy room will allow her to get used to seeing humans as friends rather than threats. However, be aware that budgies have sensitive hearing, so make sure the room isn't a stressful place. Although there is a lot to pay attention to, make sure the room is not a noisy room with loud stereo sound, or a room that is often exposed to wind because many people are in and out. The room should have a comfortable environment, so the birds are not stressed.
Step 2. Place your budgie cage near you during your normal activities
To get your budgie to trust you, he must feel comfortable around you. Allow about a week for the bird to become comfortable with this step.
- Position the bird cage near you while doing relaxing activities like watching TV and reading.
- You don't have to directly interact with your budgie when the cage is near you. It's even more important that your budgie feels comfortable in your presence.
Step 3. Interact with your budgie without touching it
Once your budgie feels comfortable around you, you can start making an effort to interact more often. You'll still need to be patient while interacting so that the anxiety doesn't increase.
Remember not to make eye contact with the budgie. The budgie's eyes are located on the side of its head which are often found in prey animals. Seeing a budgie in person can make him think you're a predator because the human eye is in front of your head – you don't want to make him think that way
Step 4. Place your hand outside the cage and talk to your budgie in a soothing tone
This way, he'll think your hand isn't a threat to him; Your gentle voice will also help reduce his anxiety. Give your budgie about a week to get used to your hand being outside of the cage.
Step 5. Place your hands in the budgie's cage
Open the cage door slowly so your budgie won't startle. Do not try to touch it or do anything else in the cage. The purpose of this step is to get your budgie used to your hand being in its safe zone. Budgies take about a week to get used to this.
You can cover your hands with a towel if you're afraid your budgie will bite you
Step 6. Put your hands in the cage holding a snack, such as millet
Gently bring your hand closer to your budgie and see if he will walk over to your hand for the treat. Don't be surprised or disappointed if your budgie gets scared, doesn't move, or flies to another part of the cage.
- Practice doing this for at least 3-5 sessions. Keep your hands close to your budgie's body during each session. Gradually, he will start to feel comfortable and will walk up to you to get the snack you have in your hand.
- Holding a treat every time you put your hand in the cage to change food and drink will encourage your budgie to get used to your hands.
- This step can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
Part 2 of 3: Taming a Budgie by Hand
Step 1. Put your hands in the budgie's cage
Move slowly and quietly, and use a soft voice like you used to build his trust. While your budgie should feel more comfortable with you and your hands by now, you should still be considered a non-threatening human being in order to make progress on taming a budgie.
- Gently raise your index finger to become a perch for the budgie.
- Cover your hands with a towel if you think your budgie will bite you.
Step 2. Bring your index finger close to the budgie's body
Make sure you do it slowly. Your Budgie will react the same way you would when you put your hand on him to give him a treat. If this happens, wait for the budgie to calm down, then try again.
If your budgie looks confused and anxious, it's best to wait a while or try again tomorrow
Step 3. Encourage your budgie to perch on your finger
Once your budgie is comfortable with your index finger nearby, gently touch the budgie's chest or slightly above its feet. Make sure you're not too hard on your budgie's chest.
- If you press your index finger too hard on your budgie's chest, it will get scared and fly away.
- Budgies may not understand this movement at first and will fly away. Be patient and try again until he understands what he wants to do.
- Saying a gentle "up" as a verbal cue as you press on your budgie's chest will help him understand that he should perch on your finger.
- If your budgie seems hesitant, you can use the millet to lure it to land on your finger.
Step 4. Don't move your hands
When the budgie climbs onto your finger, don't move your hand one bit. Even if your budgie is used to a perch, it will take a long time to use your finger as a perch.
- Reward him with a treat as positive support for using your finger as a perch.
- Train your budgie to use your hand as a perch several times a day and reward him every time he succeeds.
Step 5. Take the budgie out of the cage
Once your budgie is comfortable perched on your arm, it's time to practice taking him out of the cage. Do it slowly and in a soft voice to lure him out of the cage.
- Budgies will be hesitant to leave their cage because that's their comfort zone. You can try to lure him out with a treat, but don't force him.
- Making an unhindered exit from the cage (without toys or food and drink containers getting in the way) will help you get your hands out of the cage more easily.
- It's okay if your budgie flies away, or flies back into the cage when you take it out.
- If your budgie flies away, don't run and chase it. Chasing a budgie will make him feel like prey is being chased by a predator. Wait for the budgie to land somewhere and then approach it calmly. Reach out to make it land on your finger.
- If your budgie flies back into the cage, let him cool off for a bit and try again.
- Removing your budgie from its cage and having it perched on your finger will require daily practice of at least a week, and possibly longer. Be patient and follow what makes him comfortable out of the cage.
Step 6. Walk into another room with him while perched on your finger
Once your budgie is comfortable perching on your finger outside of its cage, take it to an unfamiliar room. The bathroom is a common destination for budgie owners.
- Whatever room you choose, it's a good idea to cover mirrors and windows because they can be a distraction. Also, make sure the room is clean and free of dangerous objects, such as fans or other pets.
- Budgie will probably fly off your finger because he is in a new environment. Again, don't go after him if he does this.
- Offering your budgie a treat in another room will help him feel comfortable in the new room.
- Aim to take your budgie to a new room for 15-20 minutes each session several times a day.
Part 3 of 3: Teaching a Budgie to Ride
Step 1. Make the budgie rise to one of your index fingers
This part of the taming process requires both of your hands, so it will be easier to get the budgie out of the cage. You can choose a neutral room that your budgie is familiar with, such as the bathroom, or in the same room where you put the cage.
Step 2. Sit in a chair, on the floor, or in bed
Teaching your budgie to ride is easier if you're in a sitting position. Sit down slowly and gently so your budgie won't startle or make it fly off your finger.
Step 3. Place the index finger of your other hand in front of the budgie's chest, just above his leg
Gently touch the budgie's chest as you would when you taught your budgie to climb onto your index finger. Touch the budgie's chest while saying "up".
- Your Budgie may not be familiar with these verbal cues, so it may take you a few tries before he understands that he should move up to your other index finger.
- Give him a snack every time he climbs.
Step 4. Practice this until he can move up to your other index finger without pressing his chest
As with other aspects of the taming process, you should practice it several times a day in short (10-15 minutes) sessions. Finger climbing is usually natural for budgies, so your budgie shouldn't take long to get to your index finger.
Tips
- Do not give up! Taming a budgie requires a lot of patience but the results will be rewarding.
- It's easier to train a young budgie than an old one. All kinds of animals are easier to tame when they are young.
- Remain calm and relaxed during the taming process. While it will take you a few months to tame it, your calm demeanor will help your budgie feel comfortable while you train it.
- Don't pull your hand if your budgie bites. This will teach you that if he wants you to stay away, he will bite you. So this is a sign that your budgie is training you, not the other way around.
- Make sure all windows are closed when removing your budgie from its cage; otherwise, it will fly out of the window!
- Barley is high in fat, so it shouldn't be the only snack for your budgie. Other types of snacks that are healthier are fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and pellets. However, millet is the most effective treat to give your budgie.
