Unresponsive Budgie!

[Gib]

Hey all. I just brought home my first budgie a few days ago, a young blue female named Akia.

I picked her specifically because she seemed bold and social with other birds, and I was right: after settling into her new cage and home, she doesn't seem very timid or easily scared. I'm starting to have a big problem with training her, though: she'll tolerate me around and in her cage without panicking, but she's just... unresponsive.

In fact, her usual reaction to me opening her cage is to quickly move onto her perch and sit still. I can move my hand toward her there, even touch her gently or move her feet onto my finger (she'll sit still on it without panicking), but she's just not reacting to me the way I want her to. I've tried holding millet and treats that I know she likes near her for up to 20 minutes at a time, but she just ignores me completely. Sometimes she even starts to close her eyes as though she's going to sleep - I can move the treat or my finger right up to her face but she still won't respond.

Help! I want her to be coming to me of her own accord so we can go on with training and making friends, not sitting there like a little feathery statue. Am I going too fast? Should I have waited longer after bringing her home before I tried things like this? And if so, what can I do to fix all this?

Please respond if you have any ideas or experienced knowledge; I'm just about out.

[liz]

She has only been in your world for a few days and probably wondering where the other birds are. They were her family and all she ever knew.

[GlassOnion]

Don't worry! With daily effort, she'll come around

I would start target training with a stick, and lure her to come out of her cage. Then, take her to a small room such as a bathroom, and allow her to come out of her cage and explore the surroundings, you, etc.

Just don't get her a friend until you've fully bonded wit her!!

[Gib]

GlassOnion, it's really good to hear a note of hope for this - I can't quite seem to convince myself alone. xD

Your suggestions sound great to me, but I do have another question. Is there a way I can start to target train her when she seems to be just ignoring stimuli like fingers, treats, and sticks? All the methods I've seen or read about are really dependent on the bird paying attention before they even begin.

Thanks for your replies!

[dohcsvt]

Don't worry! With daily effort, she'll come around

I would start target training with a stick, and lure her to come out of her cage. Then, take her to a small room such as a bathroom, and allow her to come out of her cage and explore the surroundings, you, etc.

Just don't get her a friend until you've fully bonded wit her!!

+1

[liz]

You have just adopted a child with emotional issues. How would you work with that child. It is the same with your budgie. Get close and whisper.