New Budgie won't budge

[finiteguy]

We got our new budgie 5 days ago. He seems healthy enough, but he won't move very much. We observe that he will stay on the same perch for hours. I'm thinking that it may be possible that he may be impossible to finger tame if he is that terrified. Our first budgie was a bit timid for a couple of days, but he didn't remain timid. The new guy churps very infrequenlty and as I say he won't move. Is it possible that he is sick?
Also, I am extrememly dissapointed in the Petco (Boston, MA area) that we dealt with. Very impersonal staff. Who knows how this bird was treated before we adopted him.

[robert]

I have no idea about your bird but thought I would just say hi to somebody from Boston. I'm from the back bay area, Beacon Hill.

When in doubt I always look at their poop. If he is pooping fine than I'd bet he is fine, just needs more time to adjust.

[stace]

Five days isn't really that long. Some budgies adjust more quickly than others. Some are more outgoing straight off, others need more time and encouragement. It could be how he's been treated up till now, but that doesn't mean he won't come around with patience and care from you.

Make sure you've got him and his cage close to where you are most of the time. When I first got my baby, his cage was sat right next to where I usually sit on the couch so we were both at eye and talking level all the time.

Have a really good look through the taming/bonding section on here. Everyone has slightly different ways of doing things, but essentially it's about making the bird feel safe and cared for - building a state of as near to complete trust as is possible.

From the varied but yet similar ways of bonding and the individual experiences you'll read about, you can then feel your way and adjust to suit you and your bird. It's a bit like that horse whispering.

Working your way to feeding by hand helps. (Millet is usually best for this) Maybe at first through the bars of the cage, then with your hand in the cage with the millet held at a distance, and gradually shortening the distance bit by bit.

Treats and food are a great motivator - and also the way all animals (including us) begin to form shared bonds of trust.

There's a website where you can play happy budgie sounds. I'll see if I can find it in a mo. Try playing that a bit to see if it stimulates him a little.

I'll report back shortly!

[stace]

Here's the Happy Budgies website. There's a sample audio you can play from your computer.

www.listeningearth.com/LE/product.php?id=23

Also, keep the noise up generally around him. Background noise (radio, tv, etc) makes them feel safer. When there's no noise, they sense danger as they think there may be a predator around.

[finiteguy]

Jun 22, 2012 2:55:19 GMT stace said:

Here's the Happy Budgies website. There's a sample audio you can play from your computer.

www.listeningearth.com/LE/product.php?id=23

Also, keep the noise up generally around him. Background noise (radio, tv, etc) makes them feel safer. When there's no noise, they sense danger as they think there may be a predator around.

Thanks, I will try this.