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Hand taming your Budgergiar
Taming a budgerigar is easy and a very rewarding activity.
Initially only one person should begin taming the bird. This person should be alone with the bird to avoid confusion which will stress the bird. To tame the bird, begin by placing your hand in the cage without trying to touch the bird. Talk in a calming tone to the bird and be careful not to frighten it. Once the bird has accepted a hand in the cage without flying about the cage, you may slowly move your hand closer to the bird. Eventually you will be able to get your hand close to the bird. When you have reached this stage put your index finger against the birds breast just in front of the legs and press very gently at the same time saying "up".
The bird will step onto your finger.
Do not attempt to take the bird out of the cage until it is stepping up on command.
Should I let my Budgerigar out of its cage
Before letting your budgerigar out of its cage you should have the bird to the stage where it will readily step up on to your finger.
Birds often panic when let loose so there are a few precautions to take.
- Make sure that all door
and windows are shut.
- Cover mirrors and windows
to prevent the bird from flying into them.
- It must never be out of the cage if a fan is operating, a fire is lit, a pot is cooking on the stove, dogs and cats are in the house.
Some budgerigars are reluctant to come out of the cage but if he will sit on your finger in the cage, you can gradually and gently move him out.
Be prepared for the bird to take fright and fly to a high area. Never chase or grab the bird. Give it time to settle and then try to get it to step up onto your finger if you can reach it.
Teaching your Budgerigar to talk
Many varieties of parrot have the ability to mimic human speech and budgerigars are among the best talkers.
Young birds learn to talk quicker than older birds, as do solitary birds.
Start off with a simple phrase or the birds name and repeat it everytime you pass by the cage. It helps to have a "school" time where the bird sits quietly on your finger and you repeat the phrase over and over for ten minutes.
Do not teach the bird a new phrase until it has fully mastered the first one.
Most budgerigars easily learn a vocabulary of up to 20 words, but the record is held by a bird who knew over 1000 words!