Opinions on budgie becoming untame

[rae]

Hey, haven't been on here in a while, sorry.

So the recent problem is Basal seeming to be less tame than even a month ago. He will still step up, though sometimes will back up or run away first. I can only transport him a short distance, and even when doing that he seems freaked out. Of course he can fly whenever he wants. He won't let me touch him much at all, though he will still accept millet and veggies from my hand, and he still winks when I wink. So there seems to be some trust, but I've lost the ability to handle him at all (could be a problem if I really do need to handle him for any important reason).

I had worked so hard with him to get him from the timid bird we got almost a year ago to liking me somewhat. Nothing has changed drastically. I work with him the same amount and effort, though the past week I've stepped back. I don't know if I've done something that has offended him or something, or if something happened when I wasn't here. My husband isn't the best at watching or interacting with him and although Basal's cage door is open he won't come out. So when I'm home Basal gets a nice setup on top of his cage and the he is closed out. He will explore at that point, but again my husband doesn't do that. He is still active in his cage and plays with toys so he's not just sitting like a lump.

He will be 2 in June, but we got him when he was already an adult so I don't believe it's the "teenage" stage.

Thoughts on this?

[BudgieS90]

ever heard of the terrible twos? well its the same with parrots, thats still a teen phase even at that age, all you can do is persist with the training, im not an expert, prehaps someone else like Hezz or Marianne Marlow knows

[suesbird]

Hi Rae, hope you are ok and life treating you well.

Mine hate being handled, Jo will have tickles off the hubby but I am not allowed to touch her but she will fly down and play with my phone.

Mine seem to have phases, sometimes they love us and sometimes they do not want to be bothered with.

[rae]

Maybe it is just a phase after all. I hope so. I've worked so hard to get him to like me.

suesbird life has been life. This semester is very trying because my schedule is flipped. I have all afternoon classes and my schedule really doesn't fit with the people I am supposed to train to take over after I am done. We just keep chugging along, right?
I have been accepted for a Master's program in avian immunology (from the genetics standpoint). And I'm very excited about that. Just waiting on paperwork. I just hope I can deal with that stress because right now it's a little tough.

So hopefully Basal will be back to being a little friendlier soon. At least he's not turning mean. I don't think it's from my schedule being slightly different because I've already been on this schedule for a while.

[ffiscool]

Nice to have you back. And well done re the program. I am sure Basal is just going through a phase. I think they all do from time to time.

[suesbird]

you are always so busy Rae, don't forget to take time for yourself. Good luck with your Masters and tell Basal be good.

[rae]

Hey guys, instead of making another thread I'm looking to address this again.
Would it be detrimental to "start over" with trust and training from the cage? I can still get him out and let him have free time, but I was thinking of working with the cage for trust as thought Basal was a new bird. It has become extremely difficult to work with him outside the cage because he just seems afraid of me, and the computer if he's even near it in passing when I have him on my finger, and of everything when I cover him at night...
BUT I don't want to do training in the cage in place of outside free time, unless that's advised.
I also don't want to do this if you guys think it would be more harmful than helpful. I don't see why it would be, but I'm asking just in case.

[ffiscool]

I think that probably makes sense to start again. maybe if only to reinforce bits he remembers and that you are ok etc

has he always been afraid of the computer?

not sure re the training instead of outside time.. others will have better advice.

[rae]

The computer thing is newer. If I transport him from the window, when he allows, he has to pass by the computer and recently he will lean as far away as possible or fly off (which can be a problem when I need to take him somewhere else and he goes back to the window).
There haven't been any incidents that I know of, none when I've been home, and my husband says nothing has happened. He doesn't watch Basal and doesn't get him out, so I don't know how a computer related incident would happen if he stays in his cage.
I don't think it would be computer noise either, because he likes gunfire and battle sounds when we watch movies. So I don't know what's going on.

[OP]

Hey, maybe it's because he's grown up and found his independence.

[ffiscool]

Crazy I know but if you out millett on it it a toy? When Bailey used to be scared I would touch the thing, make ooh this is nice, noises etc. Touch it and what if you put a vid of budgies on.. Just to show him not so many things are scary etc

[OP]

I know I'm crazy ffiscool, but the computer is new, the budgie is a bit older now. Joey has grown up and now has a mind of his own. If there is something new about the place they all avoid it like th plague except for Whiskers.

[ffiscool]

That's true. I was lucky I suppose with Bailey. I made it a game and he took a while but was ok with things.

As a side note Scott and Bailey is back on TV. Bailey's name came from that

[rae]

He's not fond of any particular toy (barely touches many because they are too scary), but I may try putting millet in places and keep some with me for distraction.
Even though he's always been fearful and timid, these are somewhat new behaviors, especially with an environment that hasn't changed since we got him.
He did allow me to take him into the kitchen without flying off. He perches on the foot stool. And he allowed me to take him into the bedroom and then into the bathroom for some steam (allergies or something have been affecting everyone). He was fearful in the bathroom, but now he's happily singing in his cage again. I'm not going to get him out for free time until I vacuum, though his door is open while I'm cleaning the bedroom.

I do feel like I've done everything correctly and as much as possible up to this point. It's like a wall and I feel bad that I can't figure him out now.

[OP]

When you say he will allow you to take him places does he tremble whilst on your finger? Assuming he is on your finger. If he does you most certainly will feel it. Also does he grip your finger quite tightly with his claws? Any of these actions on his part would indicate that he allows these actions would tell me that he was simply glued to your finger with fear. It was pointed out to me a short while ago that a budgie will often remain on the finger and allow transportation in pure fear. Maybe you should relax on him and let him do the advancement. Carry on doing what you do and let im come to you. Every time you are near the cage interact with him. It may be that he has reached the limits of his own confidence. Allow him to regain it in his own time. I hope all that makes sense.