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Pet Forum / Birds / Birds / October 2007Is it me, or is it my Parakeets?
I'm the novice, but proud owner of two male parakeets; I've written to this group not that long ago. Having the birds now for about two to three months, I am beginning to wonder about their "social skills." I've read two books about these birds, and embedded within the text of the books, there are some pictures of children (as well as adults) with their parakeets perched on their hands or fingers, as the child seemingly pets the bird. When I first decided to get a parakeet, (obviously) I bought just one; but then I 'got to thinkin' that it might be lonely; so I got another one, another male. Always a bird lover, I have had some sort of 'relationship' with these creatures for a long time, but this has always been by afar -- I have liked to feed them with various kinds of bird feeders. I have even developed my own means of making the feeders "squirrel proof." Now, I have these two birds, and I am alone except for them. There is no one else here to intimidate them or whatever some people might be expected to do. But, yet, if I should get up from my "favorite chair" to do 'whatever,' or even to check their water, feed, cage, etc., I am met with a quick fleet towards the back perch of the cage. I take good care of these birds; I try talking with them in a non- threatening way, such as one would approach an infant child. They have been out of the cage but twice, in spite of the fact that I keep the front door open when I am sitting, reading, which is what I usually do (television has 'turned into' nothing but a bunch of silly reality shows that are anything but real); and because I am limited in what I can do (severe back problems), the birds can usually see me where I sit. But, although I have been non-threatening, they remain in a constant state of "Red" or "Yellow" alert when I approach them. Is this normal? When should I expect them to "know me?" Thanks, Mark > But, although I have been non-threatening, they remain in a constant > state of "Red" or "Yellow" alert when I approach them. Is this normal? > When should I expect them to "know me?" You need to interact with them directly, in a very deliberate way, using knowledge and consistency to train them to accept you. You can find instructions online or in many books. >>But, although I have been non-threatening, they remain in a constant >>state of "Red" or "Yellow" alert when I approach them. Is this normal? [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > using knowledge and consistency to train them to accept you. > You can find instructions online or in many books. Maybe, but a human is a whole lot bigger than a Parakeet and rather scary to a little bird. When you have two or more birds of the same species they don't need companionship from a human as much as a single one. They have each other. > I'm the novice, but proud owner of two male parakeets; I've written to > this group not that long ago. Having the birds now for about two to [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > > Mark It would normally take a single budgie at least a month before they warm up to you and begin to relax in their new surroundings. A pair is going to take longer. You may be expecting too much too soon. Don't be surprised if someday soon they suddenly relax and behave differently. As long as they don't feel threatend by you in any way, the change you are looking for will eventually happen. Dave >I'm the novice, but proud owner of two male parakeets; I've written to >this group not that long ago. Having the birds now for about two to [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >with their parakeets perched on their hands or fingers, as the child >seemingly pets the bird. I have 4 keets. One I adopted at age 3; his previous owner trained him well, and 11 years later he is still very friendly, runs to the front of the cage or flies over to me when I walk into the room. The second keet I found on my front lawn. He was flighty but starving, so slowly flew over to the cage I took outside and walked inside to get the millet. That was 3 years ago. Just this year he started staying in his cage when I clean it, and will eat treats out of my hand. He will also (just in this past year) give me kisses on the lips through the bars in the cage. He still "flinches" when he's near me, but is much less fearful than he used to be. The other two I bought in a pet store 2 1/2 years ago. One was a 2 year old English budgie. She is laid back, but still runs to a higher perch when I walk into the room. She will get on a perch for me, but stand on my hands. She will eat treats out of my hand, after she gives me a few nips, but is not "friendly". The fourth hung on the front of the pet store cage while I rubbed his belly. Once I got him home, he joined the flock and as he got older, he became more vigilent and a bit less trusting. He will trepidously eat a treat from my hand, and he will step onto my forearm when I'm wearing long sleeves and 'sample' the fabric, but every single time I walk into the room he flies to the highest perch. If you can hold millet in your hand for them to sample (don't keep millet in the cage at all times; it should be a special treat from you), they will become more trusting of you, eventually. They can see you sitting in the other room all the time, but they need to see you sitting in their room, close-by, doing something "interesting" like singing, reading, eating, whatever. They need to learn that they can play and be themselves and you won't hurt or threaten them. My birds LOVE when I turn on the radio and sing and prance around the room, or run the vacuum and sing above the noise. You are limited in that sort of mobility, but you can still bring some budgie action into their lives, which they will learn to love and look forward to. 2-3 months is not very long. Be patient. Offer food and treats if you can. Eat next to them, raising their curiosity. Don't give up. Offer your friendship in a non-threatening way and they will eventually respond. Becky |
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