He won't come out his cage!

[Jen]

Hi there!

I've had my little baby since the end of March, but he still doesn't come out the cage. I take the cage to my bedroom each day, since I'm studying from home and this is where I spend most of my time, and when I'm in the room I leave his cage door open so he can hop out if he likes. I was wondering what else I can do?

I've been trying to train him to get on my finger, but he normally just jumps over it to the cage wall, though if he does this I just wait til he's back on a perch and try again (is this ok?). Sorry to MattLatt for asking my own questions here, but I'm just getting really discouraged.

He's come out a few times, mostly when he's gotten a fright and flown to the other side of the cage expecting a wall but the doors been open, and once he was so busy cleaning my fingers he didn't realise I had tricked him out the cage while he was on my finger! I'd just really love to be able to walk with him on my shoulder, instead of lugging his cage around, though I'll do this for as long as it takes for him to come out!

A great reassurance that I get from Lemon is that he responds to my voice. He'll stop and listen when I talk to him, and then softly chirp back to me. Its really sweet. When I put him to bed, he comes over to the front of the cage before his cover is on fully, and looks at me as I say good night. Its really great to see that he's recognising and responding to my voice at least, if not my finger!

If anyone has any tips I'd really appreciate it! And other comments are always welcomed (will be good to know I'm not being an idiot or that others are/have been in similar boats!)

[BabycakesKristen]

It seems like you and Lemon have a great start at a relationship and he shows great affection and love towards you, especially because of the fact that he has his own cute of way of saying good night to you as your covering him.

Here is a thread that we've been discussing this past week. http://talkbudgies.com/showthread.php?t=11372 It has to do with getting budiges to come out of their cage on their own without pressure and I think it would help you immensely with understanding how to be successful.

Hope this helps!!

[Babyluv12]

Greetings Jen-
Bananasmomndad pretty much said it for me. It could be that your Lemon is like my Maui. Listens only when she wants to. Although he's probably comfortable around you, he may still want to play shy since he is use to his cage and that's his safe spot. Once outside the cage you will also notice large improvements in your bond with him. Best of luck!

[Jen]

Thanks so much for the help, its really great just to get some encouragement about Lemon. He's a real goof-ball, really sweet. And considering how he is around other people, he's definitely my little birdy!