Help on needing to tame budgies.

[lizcali]

So I bought two budgies about 3 months ago. They both aren't hand tamed when I got them. It took a long time for the budgies, (which names are Mistletoe and Skylar) for them to get used to their new home. Maybe like 3 weeks? So after they got used to their cage I started putting my hand on the cage. I would sometimes forget to do that. Then I eventually stopped doing it. I know that sounds bad but I just got really impatient and stopped trying to tame them. Then now I try to tame them again. I realized the mistake I made, so I don't know why but I put my hand in with seed. I sat there with my hand in the cage for a good 30 minutes then Mistletoe finally got the courage and started climbing down the bars to my hand. (My hand was at the bottom of the cage) Then Mistletoe started eating, which that encouraged Skylar to come down. So they both were eating on my hand. I was very surprised since I made little progress with taming them. I've been doing this for about 2 days now. They chirp and wait for my hand by the door. So now what do I do? Do I continue to make them eat on my hand until their very used to it? You might be thinking what the problem is but I want to make the budgies learn to perch on my finger. That is my main goal and I need help to achieve it. Does making them eat off my hand help?

[Hezz]

Are they actually perching on your finger to eat? If yes, then keep the treat small and encourage them to stay once they have eaten, if not then encourage them to come onto your hand to feed, so make the treat small so that they have to perch on you to get to the treat. With budgies, the more time and effort you put in the more you will out of the experience.

If they have stopped being scared of your hand, use your index finger to press up against the bird's belly, near its legs and use the command you want to get them to step up. Once they are stepping up on command, get them stepping down on command. The basics of finger training are invaluable.

[lizcali]

Jun 10, 2016 8:53:49 GMT Hezz said:

Are they actually perching on your finger to eat? If yes, then keep the treat small and encourage them to stay once they have eaten, if not then encourage them to come onto your hand to feed, so make the treat small so that they have to perch on you to get to the treat. With budgies, the more time and effort you put in the more you will out of the experience.

If they have stopped being scared of your hand, use your index finger to press up against the bird's belly, near its legs and use the command you want to get them to step up. Once they are stepping up on command, get them stepping down on command. The basics of finger training are invaluable.

Thanks for the advice! Mistletoe does sometimes put both of his feet on my hand and eats. Skylar holds on to the bars on the cage and eats.

[Hezz]

At least they are prepared to come close enough to eat out of your hand; that is progress. If you can get Skylar stepping on as well, even better. For the time being always have something to offer to them to entice them to come and interact with you. Once you have earned their trust fully, and it can take a while, you might find that they may come and visit just because, and not be looking for food. But bribery is always allowed when it comes to building bonds with these little guys.

It is often the case that one will be more out-going and adventurous, yours being Mistletoe, so try working with him and earning his trust; Skylar will follow with time. Work on getting Mistletoe to step up onto your finger for a treat, put him back down on his perch and then get him stepping up again. Do this several times, always finish on a positive note, and allow him to finish off his treat - that's his reward for being a good boy.