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I got my first budgie, I don't know if his behaviour is normal

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cloud_budgie
Hi!

First of all I want to say I'm not from America, we don't have many "luxuries" where I live, no avian vets, no pet stores with big cages (when needed, people make them by hand), almost no people with pets that are not dogs, cats or hamsters. I'm saying this because I am really trying my best at keeping my budgie happy and safe, but I have no means for many things, also I'm a student with no money and I really can't afford a 150 euros cage off of Amazon (cages and stuff cost way more to send here because they're not sold in my country, they need to come from elsewhere). PLEASE don't send me hate, I'm trying my best!

I got my first budgie ever from a pet store (we do not have specialized people who raise them, at best people with a couple that mated) some days ago, and I bought the biggest cage I could find around every store here (the measurements are about 45cm high, 34cm wide, 30cm deep. I know it's not a lot, but please understand this is the biggest I could find, and the one that costed the most. It was marketed for two birds, and I bought it because I wanted him to have the space meant for two). I bought him toys, a mineral block, snacks, and individual types of seeds along with bird food from the pet store. I might be able to get a much larger cage from a friend who used to raise rabbits, but I need to check how wide the bars are and if it is safe for a bird.

I'm giving him fruit and vegetables other than seeds, and he nibbles on them if I feed him with my hand (he won't really touch them if I leave them in the cage with pins). He likes to be on my hand (inside the cage), he doesn't really "jump" on my finger but he easily steps on it if I put my finger under his belly.

Point is, he seems a bit quiet and he doesn't really play with his toys. Most of the time he kinda just sits on the perch in silence. He seems fine phisically but he doesn't chirp or play. I tried putting music, TV, radio, nothing worked. I tried leaving the cage open so he could fly around my room, but he risked hitting the wall so many times that now I'm super scared of letting him out again. I don't want to clip his wings, I read that it's damaging to his pshychological health. As I said, he doesn't respond to the command to step on my finger just yet, but he easily let me hold him without problems to put him back in the cage.

Later today I put his cage (closed) near the open terrace door, and he started chirping and flying around the cage (I think it's because he heard the other birds outside). So maybe it's because he's lonely?

If I get the bigger cage, I'm thinking of getting him a girlfriend, but I am scared about the eggs. I can't keep more than two budgies, I have no one to give the newborns to, and I don't really think I can avoid them mating? I mean my boyfriend says I could take away the eggs but that just sounds inhumane, doesn't it?

I'm also wondering if I should abandon the idea of letting him out of the cage. I'm just so scared of him getting hurt.

What should I do? Please keep in mind I can't afford costly solutions and sometimes I can't get specific stuff because I live here. The few people who own budgies here keep them in way smaller, round cages without toys and feeding them just seeds because there's no information about exotic birds here. I'm trying my best with what I have available.

Thanks!

Bird Beak Pink Parrot Feather
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Cody
How long have you had the bird, if you just got him it is too soon to be letting him out. It is normal when a bird is brought into a new home that they are on the quiet side, this is a time when you need to talk calmly and softly to the bird while sitting by the cage. The bird has to learn that you are not a threat to it. When a bird is first given access to being outside the cage it is also normal for them to bump into walls and sometimes ceiling, they need to become accustomed to being out of the cage and eventually they will learn the space and will not bump into anything. Do not abandon the idea of him coming out of the cage, a bird trapped in a cage for life is a very sad situation. If you should decide to get another bird, get another male and you will not have to worry about eggs. Two males can form just as good a bond as male and female. However if you get another bird you will need to quarantine it from your current bird for at least 30 days so that means another cage. The bar spacing should not be more than 1/2 inches apart. I see something in the cage with tassels on it, it is best to trim the tassels, if the bird picks at them and swallows the fiber it can cause obstructions. Cage sizes.
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cloud_budgie
Cody said:
How long have you had the bird, if you just got him it is too soon to be letting him out. It is normal when a bird is brought into a new home that they are on the quiet side, this is a time when you need to talk calmly and softly to the bird while sitting by the cage. The bird has to learn that you are not a threat to it. When a bird is first given access to being outside the cage it is also normal for them to bump into walls and sometimes ceiling, they need to become accustomed to being out of the cage and eventually they will learn the space and will not bump into anything. Do not abandon the idea of him coming out of the cage, a bird trapped in a cage for life is a very sad situation. If you should decide to get another bird, get another male and you will not have to worry about eggs. Two males can form just as good a bond as male and female. However if you get another bird you will need to quarantine it from your current bird for at least 30 days so that means another cage. The bar spacing should not be more than 1/2 inches apart. I see something in the cage with tassels on it, it is best to trim the tassels, if the bird picks at them and swallows the fiber it can cause obstructions. Cage sizes.
www.talkbudgies.com

Quarantine IS Necessary!

Quarantine IS Necessary I get asked the question; "But is quarantine really necessary?" almost daily and the answer is ABSOLUTELY! Quarantine is essential for the health of your birds. I'm amazed however at the high number of people who do not quarantine or don't have a clue to what quarantine...
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Hi and thanks for your answer!

The bird has been with me for about 3 days now, I suspected he could be quiet because of it but I'm a bit obsessive over pet sickness and I always am afraid that something's up. He seems to like it when I talk to him and hang around his cage, I do it very often and he also lets me pet him and hold him on my fingers, which I think it's good?

Good to know that it's normal for him to have bumped into things! But what if he gets hurt? I am afraid he'll hit his head or something against the wall. There's also a pretty big mirror on the wall which I can't take out and is really hard to cover, I have no rooms other than a bathroom and a kitchen, I live in a very small apartment. Wouldn't the mirror confuse him? He lightly bumped into it today, but very softly, like he bumped on walls.

Thank you for telling me about the tassels, I only left that toy inside the cage for the first day he was here, it's not been around him since then, but I will also trim the tassels just in case he comes out of the cage and decides to play with it.

I would prefer to have another male budgie indeed, but I'm a bit scared because a friend of mine got two male budgies and one killed the other :( I have no problems to keep him in another cage for a bit because I'd have to get the bigger one anyways so I will have the current one empty, which I can use for quarantine. Is there a way to avoid them fighting? Maybe if I keep the two in separate cages but able to see eachother for a while they'll get to know eachother without the risk of fighting?
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Cody
It's really too early to be letting the bird out of the cage, in the first couple of weeks a bird can seem tame but in fact is just submissive because it is terrified. Yes, mirrors present a problem, you are going to have to find a way to cover it because the bird is liable to fly right into it at full speed which could end in disaster. You can never be sure how 2 birds will get along but it is unusual that 2 males would be that aggressive with one another unless there is a female around. You have to go about the introduction correctly.
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cloud_budgie
Cody said:
It's really too early to be letting the bird out of the cage, in the first couple of weeks a bird can seem tame but in fact is just submissive because it is terrified. Yes, mirrors present a problem, you are going to have to find a way to cover it because the bird is liable to fly right into it at full speed which could end in disaster. You can never be sure how 2 birds will get along but it is unusual that 2 males would be that aggressive with one another unless there is a female around. You have to go about the introduction correctly.
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Then I'll just wait some weeks for him to get a bit comfortable with his new home, in the meantime I'll search for the bigger cage (if the one they should give me turns out to be not good, I also thought about getting another of the same one I already have and modifying them both a bit to join them together horizontally, I think it wouldn't be particularly hard to do) and I'll figure out a way to cover the mirror without destoying it 😅

Thank you so much for your answers!
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FaeryBee
Your little boy is adorable! What have you named him?

Budgies need a minimum of two weeks to settle into their new home and you should not be trying to touch or tame them at this time.
They are often submissive initially because they are terrified.

You can cover the top and three sides of the cage to help them feel more secure.
Play music or the TV for them when you are not around during the day.

Taming and Bonding is all about helping your budgie learn to trust you and it takes a great deal of time and patience on your part.
You should never grab your budgie or force him to be touched.
To bond with your budgie, you need to build his trust in you.
He will have to learn over time that you will not hurt him, grab him and try to force him to allow you to hold him.

To build your budgie’s trust, sit by his cage and read, talk or sing quietly to him for a period of at least 10-15 minutes, 3 or 4 times day. After about a week, rest your hand on the outside of the cage when you talk to him so he will learn that your hand is safe and will not hurt him.

After a week of resting your hand on the outside of the cage, rest your hand inside the cage when you talk to him.Don’t make sudden moves, don’t try to touch him.
Let him get used to the idea that the hand is now in his safe place and not harming him.

After 2 weeks, begin moving your hand slowly toward your bird. If he becomes agitated, stop moving your hand and just hold very still until he calms down. When he is comfortable with your hand near him, you can offer them a bit of millet or a few seeds.

Always work at your bird’s pace.
Move slowly and talk reassuringly and calmly to him whenever you interact with him.

Most budgies once they pass the "baby" stage, do not like to be petted or touched.
If your budgie does like to be petted, you should only ever pet his head, neck or chest area.
Stroking a budgie's back and/or tail stimulates its breeding instinct.
Bonding means allowing your budgie to choose to be with you.

You should not get another budgie unless you can find a suitable cage that is a MINIMUM of 76cm Long x 46 cm Wide and 46 cm High.

IF you get another budgie, then you need to get one of the SAME gender. That means getting another MALE bird. Do not get a female.
You would then have to do everything necessary to prevent breeding.

There are many things to take into consideration before getting another bird.
Do you really want another pet

1. If you decide to get another budgie in the future, please be sure to observe quarantine for the new budgie.
Quarantine means housing the new bird in a different cage in a different room than the current bird (as far away from the room the current bird is in as possible) for a period of 35-45 days.
Budgies mask symptoms when they are ill. Symptoms may not show up for over two weeks.
Often you will not even realize your bird is not well. Many budgie illnesses are airborne which is why you need to quarantine your new bird in a completely different room.
Quarantine your new bird!
Yes - Quarantine IS necessary

It is also a good idea to always take a new budgie in to see an Avian Vet for a "well-birdie" check-up. This allows you to develop a good relationship with the vet and the vet can establish a baseline for your bird in case of any future illnesses or injuries.
If there are no Avian Vets in your area, then finding an Exotic Pet Veterinarian who has experience in dealing with small birds is the next best option.

Locating an Avian Veterinarian

2. Introducing the new bird to the current bird
Introducing Two Budgies

3. Flock Dynamics
Differences and Dynamics in Flocks
Your Harmonious Flock

4. Where do you plan to get the new bird?
If the time comes when you decide to get your budgie a friend, I highly recommend considering getting a bird of the same gender from either a bird rescue organization or a shelter.
These budgies need a good, safe and loving forever home.
Why you should buy from a Reputable/Ethical Breeder rather than a Big Box Pet Store

5. Vet Expense and Housing
Do you have the time, finances, etc to devote to another bird?
Are you ready, willing and able to house the new budgie separately on a permanent basis if it does not get along with your current bird after quarantine?
Be Prepared for Veterinary Expense

The purpose of this forum is to promote the BEST PRACTICES in the care of budgies for their optimal Health and Well-Being
Locating an Avian Veterinarian

A Healthy Diet for your Budgie
Quality Seed Mix
CuttleBones, Mineral Blocks and Manu Clay Roses
Safe Foods for Budgies
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Please take the time to read through the Site Guidelines, the FAQs, the Budgie Articles and all of the Stickies located at the top of each section of the forum.

Truly, the very BEST advice anyone can offer you is to take the time to read ALL of the stickies throughout the various Talk Budgie forums as well as the Budgie Articles we have posted.
(Stickies are threads “stuck” at the top of each forum sub-section)
These are great resources for Talk Budgie members and have a wealth of reliable information which will assist you to learn the best practices in caring for your budgies for their optimal health and well-being.

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Beta
Your Budgie is beautiful. Try hand feeding him the millet spray and he will soon learn to trust you. He may be lonely at first but once he gets used to you and his cage he'll start playing with his toys and making all kinds of cute sounding chirps and tweets
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FaeryBee
Beta said:
Your Budgie is beautiful. Try hand feeding him the millet spray and he will soon learn to trust you. He may be lonely at first but once he gets used to you and his cage he'll start playing with his toys and making all kinds of cute sounding chirps and tweets
Click to expand...
Millet should be used very sparingly and only as an occasional treat or as a training aid.
It is high in fat content and, if given too much, budgies will eat it instead of their regular food.
Additionally, as it is high in fat content, too much will lead to obesity.
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Beta
FaeryBee said:
Millet should be used very sparingly and only as an occasional treat or as a training aid.
It is high in fat content and, if given too much, budgies will eat it instead of their regular food.
Additionally, as it is high in fat content, too much will lead to obesity.
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Thank you.
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