why does my budgie do this?

[wingz4thingz]

ok so. My budgie has been doing this for a while now. He is a lovely bird, but it's just this that is really annoying. Whenever I'm on my laptop he'll sit on it while I'm trying to type, and if I try to press a key that's anywhere near him he'll bite my finger(like he's doing right now) grrr it's so annoying and sometimes it really hurts!
can you tell me why he's doing this and how to stop it? I don't mind him sitting on my computer keys, I just don't like his aggressive behaviour when I'm on it. Otherwise, he is perfect!

[Shirls]

Have you thought that he might be needing your attention, and doesn't want you to do anything else?? Might be?

[sweetie]

I agree!! Attention seeker!! Lol bless him x

[samwiseg]

My Monty used to do this! Would say that he may also think that it is a game like "chase the fingers"!

As for stopping it, you may wish to try not backing down when he bites otherwise he will think he has won (I know it hurts)!

But the other trick is to say a word like "No" and put him back in his cage. Repeating this every time, he will soon learn that if he behaves that way he will be put back. You can also then use the same routine when he is doing something else he shouldn't! ;D

Hope that helps

[Bird Junky]

Aug 13, 2012 15:39:06 GMT wingz4thingz said:

ok so. My budgie has been doing this for a while now. He is a lovely bird, but it's just this that is really annoying. Whenever I'm on my laptop he'll sit on it while I'm trying to type, and if I try to press a key that's anywhere near him he'll bite my finger(like he's doing right now) grrr it's so annoying and sometimes it really hurts!
can you tell me why he's doing this and how to stop it? I don't mind him sitting on my computer keys, I just don't like his aggressive behaviour when I'm on it. Otherwise, he is perfect!

Hello. Lets look at this from his point of view.....
Budgies are flock birds. You his flock invite him to join
you in foraging. Signified by your tapping the keys that you
have found something good. He joins you & is very surprised
you want to keep the goodies whatever they are all to your
self. You continue to signal you have found something good
but your not willing to share. Wouldn't you get annoyed??
A free flying bird should have your full undivided attention.
A bird has less common sense to stay out of trouble than
a baby. According to my vet relatives Most pet bird injuries
are caused by inattentive owners. Deaths are not recorded..B.J.

[Rachael Kellett]

Sounds like the others have it right, he sees it all as a game Why not create a play area for him, to keep him entertained and having fun so you can, hopefully, type in peace ;D

[wingz4thingz]

thanks all, yeah I think he probably sees it as a game! He's on me right now but thankfully he's just preening himself at the moment. No doubt he'll start at the keys in a minute lol XD

[ruthpaton]

Pepito does the same thing - as well as the nipped fingers I don't like finding poops on my keyboard! I think he likes to see what's on the screen. I try to get him off the keyboard but allow him to sit on top of the screen and he's starting to go up there more now. He can still look down to see the screen! :-)

[MattJ]

Puck used to do this, including the attempting to bite me when I'd go for a key he was stood on/near.
Fortunately he's now stopped the biting and he'll come over and stay out the way by sitting on the F keys and watching me type. I guess with a laptop he might not have enough room to stay out the way.

I'd go for distraction, keep a toy near by maybe? I've got a bell hanging from a stand on my desk so if he's being annoying I ring that and he'll often go play with that instead. Maybe taking him off the keys and sit him on top of your screen or on your shoulder/forearm.

His only annoying computer related habit remaining is trying to stand on the mouse cable when I'm playing games ;D. Also, some times if I'm playing games he'll still walk over and put his cheek against my finger so when it I press the key he gets a free rub lol

Word of warning though, Puck got a toe caught in between two keys a few weeks ago and he was most distressed about it. Thankfully he wriggled free after a few seconds and only limped for a few minutes then was back to normal. Not scared him off though!

[wingz4thingz]

yeah I think you're right, sometimes he likes to peck at the screen if he sees something he likes. He's on my finger now having kisses. Also have you got any ideas to create a play area because my mum won't by me one, but I think that making one would be really fun
he really is quite a character! He loves to fly round my room and when I'm going out of the room he tries to fly to me bless him. Yeah, I heard someone else on one of these forums, had the same happen to her. Her budgie was on the keyboard and she pressed the same key he was on and his toe got stuck.
@bj, I would never hit my bird or try to injure him. That could really injure him, as well as destroy his trust, as they are very delicate and sensitive animals. But I have an idea for a game for him, foraging games. Like if I get some millet and hide it he can try to find it. Sometimes he'll hop on the floor and start eating millet off the floor, I think it's because they are ground feeders in the wild

[MattJ]

For the desk, I just put a ladder vertical on top of a speaker then (firmly!) weighted one end down and hung a bell off it



I made this one for him with two thickness of dowl, the bigger vertical and small horizontal. Drilled into the horizontal and gently hammered the thinner ones in




Drilling dowls is difficult, I had to make a little jig to do it (square dowl would have been easier). Something to only try under supervision. Maybe something for design tech class at school?

Another simpler one I did was trap a bit of dowl underneath a book sticking out from my shelf



Alternatively you could try doing something with dowl and join them with zip ties? Though you would have to be careful there weren't any toe size gaps

[stace]

Aug 13, 2012 21:01:39 GMT MattJ said:

Also, some times if I'm playing games he'll still walk over and put his cheek against my finger so when it I press the key he gets a free rub lol

Clever boy, Puck.

[BudgiesBuddy]

Aug 13, 2012 23:32:25 GMT stace said:

Aug 13, 2012 21:01:39 GMT MattJ said:

Also, some times if I'm playing games he'll still walk over and put his cheek against my finger so when it I press the key he gets a free rub lol

Clever boy, Puck.

Very clever indeed

It made me laugh so loud

[stace]

Aug 13, 2012 22:23:14 GMT MattJ said:

How cute is this little birdie!!!!