Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Creating a comfortable environment
• Part 2 of 2: Making sure there is trust in the hand

Parakeets are very smart animals and if you have one, you will probably want to train them to be your best friend. The first step is to tame it or let it sit comfortably on your index finger. Once your budgie is completely tame, you will be able to walk around and play with him outside of his cage. To accomplish this task, you will need to create a comfortable environment for your budgie and then slowly train him to trust your hand.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Creating a comfortable environment

1. Give your budgie a generously sized cage. When you first bring your budgie home from the pet store, it will likely be in a box. This box is suitable for the journey home, but should definitely not be used as a permanent residence. Your budgie needs enough space to live and not get bored. This means he must have multiple perches so he can watch you during your daily routine.
   • When you put your budgie in its new cage, open the cage door and place the box against the opening of the cage. Do not put your hand in or try to force the bird out. You want the bird to come out on its own.
   • Patience is key to putting your bird in the cage. Shaking and tilting the box will only make the bird more anxious. This will cause the bird to sit even further in the back of the box.
2. Place your budgie in a bright room. A good environment is very important for a healthy life for your parakeet. Do not put parakeets in a dark, quiet room. If your room is bright and you interact with the budgie, he will feel comfortable. Make sure the cage is at a height and in a place with enough, but not too much, foot traffic.
3. Talk to your budgie. Before you even start taming, you want your budgie to be used to your voice. Don't talk too loudly and in a normal tone. Talk to your bird about anything you want, just make sure to talk to him. He will hear your voice and will want to investigate the source of the sound. Only when he is no longer frightened by your voice and your physical presence outside his cage can you start training.
   • This is also the first step to training your budgie to talk. Choose language that you want your budgie to repeat.
4. Give him enough food and water. You should change your budgie food and water every day. Birds can be very particular about their food and water, just like humans. They may perceive something as spoiled and refuse to touch it.
   • Food: Make sure to put at least a tablespoon of seeds in a budgie food bowl every day. Your budgie will eat the seeds, but shells and discarded parts of the seed leave in its container when eating. Many new parakeet owners confuse this waste with new seed and don't feed their parakeets often enough. Replace his food every day to avoid this problem.
   • Water: Fill his water bowl every day. Tap water is fine. If possible, do not add vitamins or medicines. Some parakeets will refuse to drink this water if they taste the additives.
5. Provide a separate, shallow water dish as a bird bath. The water should be no deeper than 2.5 to 5 cm. Your bird will wash itself. It does not need to be washed by you. Replace the bird bath water every few days. If your bird is comfortable outside of its cage, you can buy bird baths that you can hang on the outside of the cage.
6. Replace the paper on the bottom of your parakeet's cage. There are several different products for sale specifically designed to cover a parakeet cage, but most of them are actually dangerous to parakeets. Cedar shavings contain toxins that can affect your bird's digestive system. Pine shavings can be eaten by your parakeet and can also cause digestive problems. Cat litter absorbs moisture and if eaten it can cause serious problems. Stick to paper products. You can buy paper designed for parakeet cages or you can use plain unscented paper towels or blank newspaper.
   • Inspect your parakeet's cage daily for excessive poo. You have to change the paper every few days.
7. Give your budgie fun toys. Parakeet toys come in all shapes, sizes, colors, materials and scents. Many of them even make noise. The more variety you give your budgie, the happier he will be. Your parakeet needs stimulation to be happy, just like everyone else. Don't let your budgie get bored. In the long run, a happy budgie is easier to tame.

Part 2 of 2: Making sure there is trust in the hand

1. Put your hand in your bird's cage several times a day. Do this regularly. Make sure to insert your hand into the cage slowly and in a non-threatening manner. Don't shake your hand around unnecessarily. Do not shake or hit your bird. Your goal is to teach your bird to trust that your hand won't hurt him.
   • Many parakeets can fly around and screech at you. Stay calm so he can determine that nothing will happen at this point.
2. Take a treat in your hand. Once your bird gets used to having your hand in its space, a treat will teach your bird to appreciate your hand. Your hand should be a safe and even beneficial addition to its space. The best treats will be made from grain or seed. They should be big enough for your bird to recognize them, but small enough for your bird to take it from your hand.
3. Give your budgie a perch. Perches come in many sizes. Most look like wooden dowels. Some are made of metal. They are all different in size. You should choose a stick that extends easily four to four inches from your hand. Your goal with this step is to get your bird used to sitting on a stick by your hand. The dowel will eventually be replaced by your fingers.
4. Gently poke your parakeet's chest. This will be the physical signal telling your budgie to step on the roost. Make sure not to press too hard on your budgie. If you do, your budgie will associate the stick and your hand (or presence) with something annoying.
5. Say “up, up, up,” followed by your budgie name. Let's say your parakeet's name is Pete. Then you say “up, up, on Piet” while pressing against his chest. This will add an auditory cue for your bird to learn. Eventually, you will be able to get your budgie to jump on your finger with one or the other signal.
6. Praise your budgie when he steps onto the roost. You also give gentle pats on the back of his cup or extra treats. In this regard, parakeets are just like dogs and cats. They need a positive reward to learn the trick. Some parakeets don't like to be petted. If your budgie is one of those, stick to treats. Make sure to choose treats made from natural seeds, vegetables and grains. Every parakeet is different and will want different treats. Experiment and find out what your parakeet likes best.
7. Move your finger closer to the end of the dowel. Hold the dowel and your finger close to its legs. If your budgie starts to step on your finger instead of the stick, you can omit the stick altogether.
   • Make sure to keep your finger straight, as if the stick is still under your finger. Your budgie should feel safe and stable at all times or else he will avoid your finger as a precaution or out of fear.
8. Take the budgie out of the cage while he is on your finger. Remember that he has been in the cage for a long time and will naturally be scared. This can take a few days.
   • Keep the doors and windows closed to keep your bird from escaping.
9. Have friends and family tame your budgie in the same way. This is the only way your budgie will be comfortable with its human flight.
10. Have the bird sit on other parts of your body. Only when he feels comfortable on your finger can you give him the opportunity to explore other parts of your body. These are, for example, the head, knee, shoulder and arm. You can train him to sit anywhere as long as you take it very, very slowly so that your bird feels safe.