Welcome! What’s his name? YAY! A Sydney resident; I was starting to think I was the only one hahahaHi there,
New to this forum and got a budgie less than a month ago. He is less than a year old and male. The breeder has hand-tamed them and taught him to step up. Diet is mainly seeds (what the breeder fed him but I'm looking to slowly transition into pellets), and daily veg and fruit. He is the only bird right now and has a large cage that is open for him to fly out into my house. His poop looks fine and similar to when we first got him. We let him wander around our house if he wants (although usually he might only come out once a day) and we even supervise him outside in our backyard to get some sun.
When we first got him, he was a bit shy but would step up and let us pet him. I only found out yesterday you are NOT supposed to pet budgies on their chest (that is what the breeder showed us) and my family has since stopped petting him there. However, about a week ago, he started getting quite aggressive to our pets and would bite us and make an angry sound (not a screech but a softer, rapid sound). The bites weren't hard and we understood that he wanted to be left alone so we would but this was almost 24/7. Before, he was very open to hopping on our fingers, standing on our shoulders and being pet (albeit in the wrong spot unfortunately). Now, when we even approach his cage he makes the angry sound, even if I'm just changing the veggies
Does anybody know why this could be happening? I don't think he's got mites but he does seem to be sleepier during the day. Something interesting is that I took him out to play with today and when he is away from his cage, in my room, he is COMPLETELY fine with being pet on the head. I can scratch behind his neck and he is very comfortable (closing eyes, bowing head to get the angles etc). He seems to enjoy being pet gently out of his cage but whenever we approach him in the cage, he seems TERRIFIED of us and will bite or jump away.
Any advice, I'm really worried about him.
Edits: I do plan on getting him a friend, just after he settles down more and especially now that he is biting, his friend has been put on the back burner. He is in a spot that is frequented by my family a lot and I get about 1-2 daily with him by sitting next to the cage, cleaning the cage and playing with him (and my parents also spend a considerable amount of time too).
I am in Sydney, so it is Summer right now. It's not super hot but around 20-30 degrees daily if that helps.
There are plenty of users/moderators on here who are very knowledgeable regarding budgies and their behaviour.
Our little man was slightly aggressive when we first got him two years ago and we found out that we were towering over him when near him and also he was going through a really terrible molt. Try taking him to a quite room with his favourite food; or millet spray and while you are gently touching him reinforce positive behaviour..
Love to see pictures of him!
