My new bird doesn't trust me. How do I move him to a new cage safely?

Thanks for reaching out about Coco & Peach. Winning the trust of your birds will take time. Start with quiet deliberate movements, and offering treats via hand. Since many birds can be cage defensive, you might have to allow them to come out of the cage, for them to be less protective. Take the time, as trust can take some time. Good luck.

That's a lot of questions! When getting a new bird, it is best to keep them in a separate cage for a few weeks (quarantine) to make sure they do not spread any illness to each other. Once the new bird checks out safe, you can keep them near each other to get used to hearing/seeing each other, and then gradually introduce them, whether on a shared play pen, or in a cage that is large enough to comfortably house both. Make sure you have extra food and water dishes, toys, perches, etc so that they cannot fight over these resources or become territorial. Each bird will have different markings depending on the type of coloration the bird is (there are different varieties of markings) so this will greatly depend on if you purchase a bird with similar markings or not.

Give Buddy some time! It takes awhile for birds to get used to new surroundings. Make sure he has many perches, toys, and fresh food and water available, and try to leave him alone for a few days to adjust to his new environment.

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.

Thanks for reaching out about Polie. Winning the trust of a bird requires time, to decrease stress. A book entitled "A Guide to a Well Behaved Parrot" is a good start. Trimming wings might decreased the flight potential when scared. Offering treats by hand can win trust. Good luck.

In order for your bird to trust you you will need to work with him daily. If you are worried that he may fly away when you let him out of the cage you can clip his wings so he will not be able to fly. This is a completely painless procedure and the feathers will grow back if you decide at a later date to allow him to fly. This way you can let him out of the cage to explore but won’t have to worry about him getting away. The more interaction you have with the bird the better. Offer him treats while you are working with him so he can start building some trust in you. I would assume that after a month or so of repeated interactions you bird will be much more comfortable with you. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

You will need to gradually acclimate him to you. This will take time and patience but is not impossible. Begin by sitting next to the cage for ever increasing periods of time. At the end, provide a small treat or reward. Once he accepts you nearby, place your hand IN the cage for ever increasing periods of time. Simply leave it there. Do not move or try to touch him. Again, leave a treat or reward when you are done. Move your hand closer each time. Eventually, he will acclimate and begin to show curiosity. At this point you can try getting him to perch on a finger. Don't force it and don't grab at him. Move slowly and speak softly. Always provide a reward or treat as he progresses.