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How to build trust with scared budgies so they eat from your hand?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

How do I build trust with my budgies they are too much afraid of me when I get closer to their cage. They also refuse to eat anything from me holding the food bowl or in my palm. What should I do?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on November 2nd, 2017

It may take time and patience. You can begin by simply sitting next to the cage for short periods of time initially and increasing it as they acclimate. They will flutter about and move to the far side of the cage at first. Eventually, they will settle down and accept your presence. Move slowly and speak softly around the cage. Once they have completely acclimated, you can progress to placing your hand in the cage. Make no attempt to touch or hold them. Again, they will flutter, panic and move to the far side of the cage. Leave your hand inside the cage for ever increasing periods of time. Use small treats as rewards after each session. Eventually, they will become curious and may hop onto your hand if you have treats. You can teach the 'step up' command by extending a finger and gently pressing it against the chest while saying "Perch" or "Step up". From this point, you can work with them to teach additional tricks or whistles.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Elizabeth
Veterinarian
Published on October 28th, 2019
Most small birds like budgies need to be tamed and it sounds like this is the case for your birds.
This process requires time and patience. I recommend to start reading about budgies and different techniques to help tame them. Start with books specific about Budgies and then move into books about birds in general.
I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Susan England-Foster
Veterinarian
Published on June 19th, 2017
I would recommend taking it slowly. keep them in a room you use often so they can see you. Also, birds can be very food motivated. Try using a special treat only you give them. A lot of times this really helps
3Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jessica Desrosiers
Veterinary Technician
Published on December 23rd, 2018
Taming can take time and patience, and in some cases, some birds are never completely tame, especially if they are more closely bonded with another bird in their cage/environment instead of you. I would just keep trying to spend time with both birds, offering treats and interacting with them when you can, and giving them a chance to interact back with you on their own terms. If they don't seem interested in cuddling, offering toys or fun things to play with that you can also watch and enjoy is a way to spend time together as well.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Related Questions

Training & Behavior

How can I build trust with my budgie to safely take him out of his cage?

Patience is best when getting your budgie used to handling. If he has a favorite treat you can offer it every time you approach the cage or every time he sits up on your finger. Once he is comfortable there, you can begin to then offer treats after you pet him, to teach him that this is a rewarding behavior. It can take some time, and if your budgie is too stressed simply take a break and let him calm down a bit before trying again.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

How long until my budgie is comfortable with my finger in its cage?

Wait until they don't flutter about when you sit near the cage. Then place a hand I n the cage for ever increasing periods of time. They will fly away from you and screech when you place your hand in the cage. This is normal. Once they begin to settle down and accept your presence in the cage, place a small treat in your hand. Do this each time. They will eventually settle down and may approach your hand or finger for a treat. Be patient and be consistent. It may take weeks.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

How to hand train a shy budgie that won't let me in its cage?

It may take a little longer than you thought to get him used to you. Some budgies, if they weren't hand tamed before you got them as little babies, they may always be a little skittish. Try putting his favorite snacks and foods on your hand and holding very still and see if comes over to nibble at that. Keep talking to him and singing to him softly all day so he gets used to you. Try sitting right next to him without moving as well.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My budgie bites when I pet it. How to tame budgies & stop food fights?

It will take time. Allow him to keep eating from your hand. Use treats to coax him onto your hand and when you pet him, do not come in from above. This can be a threatening motion for birds. Approach at or below eye level and move slowly. The female will require a bit more work in getting acclimated to your hand. You can do the same though. Use treats and rewards. Keep your hand near her, but don't try to touch her, for ever increasing periods of time. Provide additional food and water bowls to prevent resource protection.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

My budgie won't eat fresh fruits and vegetables. What can I do?

The best thing you can do is to keep offering them. If they won't take it from your hand, start by just placing the treats in a cup in your budgie's cage so that they can try it out on their own terms. If they enjoy the food, you can offer it to them every time you come by, but without giving it by hand. Once they are comfortable eating with you just observing and staying near, you can then work up to offering it by hand and then interacting with them more closely. If they become stressed out, or don't want to try the item, give them some time to relax and settle down before trying again.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

How to make my scared budgerigars friendly and bond with them?

Thanks for reaching out. A human being is a huge animal coming towards them and appears scary. Try starting with offered treats, calm slow movement. A book titled "A Guide to a Well Behaved Parrot" is a good reference. Good luck

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Budgie eating too much? When can I start hand-taming my budgies?

It is best to offer a balanced diet of seed/pellets at all times for birds so they can eat as much as they need. Providing enrichment such as toys or playpens where your birds can be active, stretch, exercise, etc can help keep them at a healthy weight, as well as limiting extras such as too many treats in between meals. As for hand taming, that can start at any time. You'll want to be patient and work up gradually, by first getting them used to you being near, then being handled or petted, and then finally being held or stepping up. If they have a favorite snack, you can offer it at this time to encourage bonding.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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