Night frights

[FeatheredM]

So my budgies had a night fright when I accidentally bumped their cage, and it was pretty scary. What do you do when this happens? Usually I turn on the light and take off the cover(although I only cover when the light is on) and try to talk in a soft voice, but is there anything else I can do to help stop the crazy flying as fast as possible? I want to decrease the chance of injury when they get a night fright

 

[BirdLady13]

Can you position the cage so you're less likely to bump it? As unhelpful as it may sound, that is the best way to decrease the likelihood of scaring them.

 

[Kori]

I use a nightlight, but I think if I bumped the cage it would still be scary.
They’re so much more jumpy at nighttime.

 

[The_Mayor]

One thing that's hard to practice, but my birds do end up freaking out enough that I do have opportunities to do so is to to use a soothing voice and calming words.

Esme traps herself in their going out cage every now and then and she's started getting responsive when I look at her and say, "hey there, you're fine, everything is fine." (or whatever your version of "there, there" is). I find that if I use my voice and body language to convey, "you're fine, I'm fine, we're all fine. I'm here and I can help you out of this scary situation, which is, of course, fine" they are starting to respond to that.

 

[FeatheredM]

Can you position the cage so you're less likely to bump it? As unhelpful as it may sound, that is the best way to decrease the likelihood of scaring them.

I would, but I can't. Their cage is currently a table top cage as their other cage is being fixed it's the only place where I can put it

 

[Sparkles99]

I find that a nightlight helps too.