Budgie Stage?

[AlbertaAviary]

I've had Cocoa since February. She is a budgie and it did not take much to tame her. Within a couple weeks, she'd jump on my hand whenever I put it in the cage. She's always likd to come out of her cage and its never been a struggle.. Except for lately. I don't even know what happened. She just won't get on my finger to come out anymore. She screams and runs around the cage. (She can't fly yet because I used to clip, but I'm letting her wings grow out for good now)

Yesterday I got her out of the cage and she was biting, screaming, and trying to fly away. I don't know what happened.. What can we do?

Other details: Cocoa is in the same cage as my budgie Yoshi and Yoshi is fine to come out.
Her wings are growing out and she can fly better.

Thanks.

[Crazy4Sierra]

Hi, my thoughts are the following:
She may be bonding to her companion budgie, therefore you now rank 2nd OR
something may have spooked her, or she may have had a bad experience the last time she was out of her cage.

I would suggest that until you get this problem under control, continue to keep her wings clipped. If you cannot retrieve her once she is out of her cage, you will be setting yourself and this bird up for many negative situations. If she is fully flighted and panicking in the air around your house, while you're chasing her, you have accomplished nothing in the form of a bond or trust and in the worst case scenario, she will break her neck from flying into a wall, mirror or window. You don't want her to have confidence and control of your living space until she can let you approach her without panicking.
Also, let her come to you, or out of her cage on her own. Don't force her out of the cage as she will likely become afraid of your hands and you will have to start right from the beginning with her again. If Yoshi comes out of the cage just fine, then continue on. Play with Yoshi within range of Cocoa and quite possibly Cocoa will follow suit. Offer lots of treats for encouragement and rewards when Cocoa makes a step in the right direction

[pennyandrocky]

don't clip her that won't help anything. you might try getting seperate cages the previous post was right about that .

[marie83]

Don't clip her again.
I think she probably got spooked by something, possibly even you? Have you had a new haircut, painted your nails etc??
I would always advice that if any bird behaves uncharacteristicly for a period of time with an unknown cause for the behaviour then you take then to an avian vet to be checked out.

Start from scratch with retaming and training exercises once possible causes have been ruled out. Good luck.

[AlbertaAviary]

I have one more theory here.. Tell me what you think about this one.

Lately, Yoshi has been okay with being held and petted and things like that. I can cup him in my hand and he will be fine. I squeeze gently so that he can come out if he wants. I can rub his head and pet his back. Cocoa doesn't usually like to be pet like that and she would hate being held. I know because it was quite a scene to clip her wings. Is she getting nervous seeing what I can do with Yoshi and she think I'll do the same with her?

[marie83]

I have one more theory here.. Tell me what you think about this one.

Lately, Yoshi has been okay with being held and petted and things like that. I can cup him in my hand and he will be fine. I squeeze gently so that he can come out if he wants. I can rub his head and pet his back. Cocoa doesn't usually like to be pet like that and she would hate being held. I know because it was quite a scene to clip her wings. Is she getting nervous seeing what I can do with Yoshi and she think I'll do the same with her?

I wouldn't say it was an impossible thing to happen, who knows what goes through their heads. I would think it was unlikely though.

[AlbertaAviary]

Ok one more thing. Her cere is changing from tan to darker brown. Could she be getting hormonal?

[marie83]

Ok one more thing. Her cere is changing from tan to darker brown. Could she be getting hormonal?

Thats a more likely idea I would have though. Is she still doing it a few days on since original post?

[AlbertaAviary]

Yes, it's still going on

[marie83]

If you absolutely sure there is no medical reason then just go back to the very begining with taming and training.