How to Train a Parakeet Budgie

Budgies are affectionate pets that like to build relationships and receive attention. Budgies can be tamed by their human owners -- especially if the budgie is not kept in a cage with other budgies. A budgie that is kept in a cage with other birds is likely to prefer the attention of the other budgies, rather than its owner. Taming your budgie is a commitment that will take time and patience. Remember that once you have tamed your budgie, you will need to spend time with the budgie on a daily basis to meet its basic emotional needs.

Things You'll Need

  • Budgie treats
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Instructions

  1. Hand Training

    • 1

      Reach your hand slowly into the cage. Let your hand sit in the cage for 10 or 15 minutes. Repeat this on a daily basis, multiple times a day, until your budgie is calm and content in the presence of your hand.

    • 2

      Reach your hand slowly into the cage and hold out a treat for the budgie. Do this on a daily basis until your budgie will easily take the treat from your hand.

    • 3

      Place your hand in your budgie's cage, holding your finger out like a perch. Place your finger against the lower abdomen of the bird. Repeat this on a daily basis until your budgie will step onto your finger and stay there for 15 minutes. Offer treats to your budgie as a reward.

    • 4

      Once your budgie is used to sitting on your finger like a perch, slowly remove your budgie from the cage. Do this on a daily basis.

    Talking

    • 5

      Choose a phrase you would like to teach your budgie. The phrase should be short and easy such as "Good bird", "Good budgie," or "I love you".

    • 6

      Repeat your chosen phrase softly during your hand-training sessions. Say the words over and over again.

    • 7

      Feed your budgie a treat at the end of your training sessions.

    • 8

      Repeat steps 2 and 3 on a daily basis until your budgie knows the chosen phrase and can repeat it back to you. Do not try to teach your budgie a new phrase until your budgie has mastered the first phrase.