Very flappy flying

[mapleesugar]

A couple weeks ago, I took my budgie out of her cage and she flew away from me. Her flying was mostly fast, clumsy-looking flapping. Sometimes when budgies get upset on their perch they will rapidly flap their wings, and that is how she was flying. I haven't taken her out since then, because she wouldn't fly back to me and I had to grab her when she went into a small corner, and now she seems to have "untamed" herself but I am still working with her. Is there a health concern or does it have to do more with that she probably has had little to no practice flying in the past? If there isn't a health concern, how can I get her to fly normally once she trusts me enough for me to take her out again?

[tweetiepiesmom]

I think that flapping you describe is typical the first time out. Both of mine did that and I've read similar descriptions from others. I would suggest that when you let her out, make sure you have enough time to just let her be. When she gets hungry, she'll find her way back to the cage. As she looks around her surroundings and gets the "lay of the land" she'll become better at flying around. Other more experienced people can give you better advice and they'll be along. Many of the experienced people are in the UK and Australia. I see you are in the US so allow for the time zone difference for them to weigh in and help you.

[Hezz]

Practice stepping up in the cage then take her to a small room - bedroom, bathroom - and let her out there. Practice stepping up onto a perch to help get her back into the cage. Practice, practice, practice, in and out of the cage. Always only let your bird out in the initial stages when you have plenty of time to get her back into the cage otherwise you become stressed and then so does your bird. Who would want to return to a cage once they've been given a bit of freedom?? If she will take bribes, bribe her back into the cage with millet or whatever is her favourite treat.

If she has never been out for exercise then of course there is going to be lack of muscle tone. Birds, like any other animal, have to build up muscle tone to become competent fliers.