How to Get My Budgie Tamed

Sweet, playful and easy to care for, budgies are one of the most popular pet birds in the world. Bringing home a new budgie is an exciting time. Providing an inviting cage full of toys, perches, food and water ensures that your budgie adjusts to its cage quickly. After your budgie has grown accustomed to its new environment, you can begin to tame it. By building up a trusting relationship and properly rewarding your budgie with treats, it will become more social and interactive.

Things You'll Need

  • Budgie treats (millet)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Talk to your budgie. Whether you own a young budgie or an older bird, talking to the bird frequently builds trust. Speak with a low, soft voice. This soothes and shows the bird that you are not a danger. Talk to the bird for at least 10 to 20 minutes every day.

    • 2

      Open the cage door. Slowly open the door to the cage so your budgie is not startled. Only start this step after several days of speaking to the bird on a regular basis.

    • 3

      Put your hand in the cage. Slowly reach into the cage with your hand flat. Keep movement of your hand to a minimum. Talk to the bird while your hand is in the cage. Repeat this step for a few days. Do not reach out to your budgie during these sessions; not touching the bird allows it to grow accustomed to your hand being in the environment and builds trust.

    • 4

      Place your hand in the cage with your index finger pointed. Slowly move your hand toward the bird and slide your finger beneath its belly just above the feet. Say "up" as you touch your budgie gently on the belly to encourage it to perch on your finger. If the bird becomes agitated or moves away from your finger, keep your hand in the cage but keep it still. Once the bird settles, move your finger under its chest again and repeat "up." Continue this technique until the bird will readily perch on your finger.

    • 5

      Allow your budgie to perch on your finger without removing it from the cage. Talk to your budgie as it sits on your finger for longer periods of time each day for several days in a row. When placing your budgie back on its perch, say "down." Use this command every time you place the bird back on its perch to train it to get off your finger on command.

    • 6

      Take your budgie out of the cage. Get your budgie on your finger and slowly take it out of the cage. Talk to it in a soothing, low voice to show reassure the bird it is not in danger. Keep the bird on your finger and out of the cage for 10 minutes. Increase the time as your budgie grows accustomed and more comfortable outside of the cage.