Hello everyone,
I'm new to the Budgie world.
Bit of back story in case it helps.
I adopted a budgie about 3 weeks ago named Valentine. The rescue I got Valentine from said he was given to them at about 5 weeks of age, and he was there for 3 weeks, so based on that and how long I have had him, I'm guessing he's around 3 months old currently. He was in a cage by himself, although there were 5 other budgies there, 3 in one cage, 2 in another. It made me sad he was alone so I wanted to give him a home.
I talk with him everyday. I work 2 jobs so I go home between jobs to talk with him and change out his food, water, bedding, the same time everyday.
That being said:
Valentine's mood has seemed to wax and wane. Someday's, he will be very excited to see me, chirp away when I sing to him, and eat from my hand. Then the next day, he'll be climbing to the top of the cage towards the back like he's trying to get away from me and won't chirp at all. He still eats and poops at a normal rate, but looks at me almost like he doesn't remember me from the day before.
I was doing research as I wasn't sure if one of the following could be what's happening. I just wanted some insight on if one of these sounds like what may be happening or if there are other ideas out there I should consider:
1. He's still new and adjusting. Just give it time and he will adjust and warm up.
2. I believe based on his round about age, he may be going through his molting, which I read online can affect their demeanor. His feathers seem to be getting disheveled a little bit and he's been grooming more often. Could the molting just be making him nervous?
3. He's Lonely and I should consider getting him a friend.
I am looking to hand train Valentine so that he can get out of the cage when I am home, and I did read that it's harder to hand train when you have 2, so if this is the case, would it help to get a second budgie that is hand trained so that Valentine can see I'm just trying to help and not hurt him?
4. Anything I could not be thinking of.
Any opinions are welcome! Just looking to get people's thoughts as I want Valentine and me to be best friends and don't want to be doing something wrong.
Thank you!
P.S. I apologize for calling Valentine a "he" even though I know 3 months is still too young to tell the gender.