Question on Training Budgie to Get Used to Hands

[Flipercoin]

Hi!

I recently saw a youtube video and getting budgies used to you hands before getting them to step up and get them to trust you overall. One of the tips the video had was to keep your hand or finger infront of them in the air and to let them bite it so that they understand that it is safe and your hands are not food. Is this true? Is there a different way to train them? Wanted to confirm here before doing because I don't want to harm the small trust I have built up with them.

Thanks for any help!

Edit: If this is true, is there a certain biting behavior I should be watching out for and staying away from?

 

[LiveLolBrd]

I personally would not be doing that. I like to keep my hand on a perch as close as the budgie will let me before moving away for about 5 minutes a few times a day. Also I offer millet from my hand. I don't think budgies ever think hands are food. Also, be sure you never grab your bird unless it is a emergency and if they won't step up and you need them to (like to get back in the cage) try using a stick (perch) as they seem less scared of wood than fingers.

 

[Flipercoin]

I personally would not be doing that. I like to keep my hand on a perch as close as the budgie will let me before moving away for about 5 minutes a few times a day. Also I offer millet from my hand. I don't think budgies ever think hands are food. Also, be sure you never grab your bird unless it is a emergency and if they won't step up and you need them to (like to get back in the cage) try using a stick (perch) as they seem less scared of wood than fingers.

Thank you so much, especially for the wood tip, this will be really helpful and I will try doing what you said!

 

[Flipercoin]

Also I can't find the exact video, but the biting is kind of like in this one: Taming Your Budgie: The EASIEST Method #birds #parrot #pets

 

[LiveLolBrd]

Also I can't find the exact video, but the biting is kind of like in this one: Taming Your Budgie: The EASIEST Method #birds #parrot #pets

That is sorta okay. Her birds look tame already and I don't find this to actually work.

 

[LiveLolBrd]

Thank you so much, especially for the wood tip, this will be really helpful and I will try doing what you said!

Your welcome! Also, even though some people say that to teach bird to step up you push your finger into their chest this is not good! The only reason they step up is because if they don't they will fall. I made that mistake with my first bird and she did learn to trust me but it took a long time and only after I stopped doing that.

 

[Flipercoin]

Your welcome! Also, even though some people say that to teach bird to step up you push your finger into their chest this is not good! The only reason they step up is because if they don't they will fall. I made that mistake with my first bird and she did learn to trust me but it took a long time and only after I stopped doing that.

how do you get them to step up them? Do you just wait till they feel like it while you finger is next to them?

 

[LiveLolBrd]

how do you get them to step up them? Do you just wait till they feel like it while you finger is next to them?

You can. I like to use millet spray (or whatever treat your bird likes) as a lure. You hold your finger slightly above their feet and hold the millet just out of reach unless they step up. It works great for me although it of course takes patience. And if you have been pushing into their chest don't feel bad about it. Just carry on.

 

[SchwuggieLove]

The avian vet once told me my baby would never be hand tame, but he steps up now (if he feels like it).

I didn't force it, it was gradual and basically just took time building trust- he got comfortable with sitting on my head, then my shoulder, then my arms or legs if I was lying down ... I used a dowel perch to pick up up to put him to bed and he got used to that.

Then at one point his regular seed mix wasn't available (*he is not on an all-seed diet just for the record), and I had to try a new one. He seemed obsessed with that one and kept asking for more so I took advantage of that. I put some in my cupped hand and just held it out, sat, and waited. For like half an hour. My arm was so sore. He flew close several times and I could tell he wanted the seeds, but he wasn't quite ready.

Later that day (or the next day?) I did it again, and this time he cautiously landed on my hand. I just held it as steady as possible and let him eat. Did it a few more times over the next couple days, and bam, now he'll let me pick him up (if he's in the right mood ). The photo is from the first time he let me hold him!


So, TRUST is such an important foundation. And then, bribes....


Also our hands look nothing like budgie food, so I don't think they'll get confused. If they bite or nibble your finger, it's not because they're confused. If they bite really hard, they're probably scared. If they nibble, they're exploring or bonding with you. Sometimes he'll grab the skin on my hand and it gets a little red, but it's still not really biting. He's just trying to preen my hand, which is hard since it's so solid