Quiet Budgie

[debpeb]

Hi. We unfortunately lost Pippi last week and as i've just lost my Mum too and she got her for me everyone (including me) decided getting a new budgie would be a good distraction for me.

So...I picked a happy budgie out at the pet shop, very active, bright eyed, chirpy 7 days ago but since we've brought him home the poor little thing is really quiet, doesn't bother with his mirrors or toys and just sits on his perches rarely moving. I expected this the first couple of days but am a bit concerned he still just sits watching us. He won't eat treats we put out which is unusual compared to all the other budgies i've had over the years. I leave the radio on when i go to work for company but even on my return he's quiet. He won't come out to sit on our fingers but will sit on a perch and let us bring it to us so he's closer. All he does is sit quietly and i'd hate to think he's still distressed from leaving the pet shop? I don't want to intimidate him so am taking my time taming him and talk loads to him but the quietness and lack of activity with his toys concerns me. Is this to be expected? Every budgie i've had previously has gone straight to the mirrors.

[Hezz]

It certainly not unexpected, but maybe this is a budgie who should be one of a pair. Did you notice whether he had a particular friend at the store, who he might be missing?? Being an only bird is very different to being one of a group, whether that group be a group of two or forty-two. It is very likely that this little bird is feeling isolated from his flock. Are you able to consider getting another?

[helenmat]

Maybe the shop where you bought him from could give you an idea of how long he had been with the others in the cage. It could be like Hezz says he is lonely and is taking a while to adjust to being on his own. How long are you out at work for? Having said all that a week isn’t very long and he may come round a bit. Have you got his cage against a wall, you could cover the top and sides to make him feel more secure, blink and wink at him as you go towards him so he knows you are no threat. Could there be some in his cage that he is frightened of? All just suggestions but try all you can. Let us know how you get on.

[Marianne Marlow]

As the others have said, perhaps an old friend from the pet shop may be able to make him feel more welcome.
It must be so hard to leave a big flock of budgies and go to a strange home.

I'm so sorry to hear of Pippi's passing and also that you lost your mum, it must be very tough for you.

[debpeb]

Thank you for all your suggestions. Janbo (named after Mum's nickname while she was ill) was eating food and flying about in general when I chose him. When I returned back to the shop he was "kissing" another budgie so I felt awful when the pet shop assistant isolated him to get him in a carrier. Although he doesn't chirp much I put his cage next to where I sit and he sits on the wooden platform we use for treats most of the time which is the nearest to us and he seems content to sit fluffed up blinking slowly. I see it as a positive he wants to be near us but find it very strange that if he misses the company he doesn't look in the mirrors? I'm reassured by the comment that a week doesn't seem long and he doesn't seem frightened or distressed. Maybe he's just a very laid back budgie 😉 I get home from work about 3pm and am out from 7am but my son works nights so takes him into his room so Janbo isn't left on his own for too long. Maybe i'm worrying too much about the little fella but i'd hate him to be upset.

[helenmat]

I would keep an eye on the situation and if he hasn’t perked up in a week or so I would definitely consider getting him a friend. I would also not worry about getting close to him to tame him, I think some interaction would do him good. So long as he is eating and drinking ok and his poops look ok, otherwise I might be concerned he could be poorly. Really sorry you have had such a tough time.

[Hezz]

Do you know how old Janbo is? If he is an older bird, he may be wary of changes. If he has never had a mirror before he won't necessarily know what to do with it. Remember, toys and cage furniture can be scary when first added to a cage.

Try playing birds (budgies) singing and tweeting on your computer and watch his reaction. It sounds as though he is getting plenty of interaction from you and your son, so give him a little more time and see if he seems more settled.

[debpeb]

Hi. I'm pleased to report back that although Janbo still doesn't play with his toys he's now starting to chirp a little - mainly in the evenings when it's quieter and occasionally will sit on my finger while I talk quietly to him. Small steps but he now takes great delight flying onto the lampshade then looking down at me waiting to fetch him back down! Hoping this means he's getting more confident in himself and more trusting of us 😁

[helenmat]

Sounds like good progress is being made.

[Hezz]

That sounds like a much more settled budgie.