2nd budgie question

[formybudgie]

Hello, 

I decided today to get a 2nd budgie. I went to the pet store and there were several in the cage. Some of them a little afraid and some did not move much at all when I got there. I chose a white one and was very surprise when my new bird was picked up from the enclosure. My bird (Snow) was picked up on the finger and put in the box. When I got home I assembled the new cage and when getting the bird out of the cage I again picked Snow up on the finger and transported between rooms to the cage with no issues. 

Snow was active in the cage immediately. Immediately started playing with toys and started exploring the cage. Snow started going up and down the bars of the cage immediately and did some stunts that scared me at first. In the corner of the cage grabbing the cage bars with both claws, slide head between the claws and somehow with the back to the bars while still holding and upside down. Another one which I captured was while holding the bars with one claw and grabbing with the beak the bottom of the bars. Sat there for a few seconds. 

I sat next to Snows cage for about an hour and observed the behavior. Snow did not seem scared at all. I tried my hand on the cage each side and on top and Snow seems even more comfortable than my other bird when hand is on top of the cage. My first bird always keeps an eye on my hand when on top. Snow does not care at all. Looked at my hand and looked away. 

I got millet and tried feeding Snow but did not seem interested however when I had seed mix in my palm within a minute Snow was on my hand eating. 

Additionally, I pushed my luck to see just how comfortable this bird is and was able to pet Snow's head a few times. This is a big no now with my other bird (Tweety). All this happened in 4-5 hours from when Snow got home. 

So my question here, where should I start with Snow. If I hand feed from day one is that bad? Should I go and do the hand on cage on first few days, hand in cage after ... steps from beginning given that Snow is so friendly? I am asking because I do not want to rush things and scare Snow. 

Here is Snow: imgur.com/a/xovFBYi

Thanks.

[mona]

From what you are saying, it seems snow is tame.. If you feel that the reactions aren't out of fear, then you could try feeding food from your hand.. as per my opinion..

[formybudgie]

Jun 15, 2021 1:55:29 GMT mona said:

From what you are saying, it seems snow is tame.. If you feel that the reactions aren't out of fear, then you could try feeding food from your hand.. as per my opinion..

Yes, Snow seems very comfortable with me. I am changing things in the cage and inch from Snow and other than a look at my hand nothing happens. Still fluffed up and relaxed.  I am surprised a store bird is so friendly. I would have expected the same as with my other bird. A few weeks before Show would would even get close to me is what I expected. Except for stepping up on my finger does everything my other bird does. I am hand feeding Snow seeds but won't take millet yet. I will continue handfeeding and slowly try to get millet introduced so I can start working on step up.



Snow keeps climbing the bars of the cage and does some moves which scare me. Twisting the claws so much, hanging on one claw from top of the cage and releasing. Sometimes Snow grabs the side and looks fine but a few time just hit the bottom grill of the cage. I have never seen my other bird do anything even close to this. Is this normal for birds? I am afraid Snow will get hurt with these stunts.

[mona]

Could you take a video of twisting the claw thing? I didn't quite understand it completely..

My female hangs upside down and even walks upside down in the cage many times.. she also flaps her wing hanging upside down.. Mine used to slip from the window railings at my old place, since the railing width wasn't ideal for them.. i had added a soft cloth/towel beneath the window railing.. maybe you could add a towel beneath the cage liner..to avoid any accidental injury upon falling.

More experienced members will be able to suggest better about it..

[blueelephant]

This sounds fairly typical mad baby budgie behaviour to me. Aerobatics, summersaults dangling from the ceiling from one leg while spinning around. It sounds like they are entertaining themselves and wanting to play.

It can be a little worrying to watch I agree!