hey guys i have 2 budgies (one bout 8mth n the other bout1yr 2mth). they continually bite and have caused me to bleed quite a few times. i have spoken to ppl n they say that by flicking them in the beak everytime they bite or try to bite will make them stop. i feel really bad everytime i do this, and it doesnt seemt o be working anyway. would anyone have any suggestions to stop this little habit, so i can spend more time playin with them without worrying bout gettin bitten. also, my youngest one is still terrified of people n i've had her for 4-5 months. please help
you want to make any and all interaction with you positive and gentle and non threatening. Flicking will only cause the birds to dislike you more. It's possible (from what I've read about birds) that they have formed a pair and you are more of a threat or bother to their "pairhood". I've never had birds (except for one when I was a kid) but that is something I've heard about them. Always use food as a peace offering and give them space without being overly zealous. That's my advice. But since I really don't know all that much about birds maybe someone else could help you better. All I know is flicking will only make it worse. Good luck
I've read in lots of books on birds (as in parrots/budgies obviously) that if you have a "heart to heart" as they call it, it helps. It's worked for me in the past with my old birds. Just get those guys out of the cage however you can (you might want to wear gloves or use a wooden dowel or stick at first), go into a calm, quiet room, and wrap them in a little washcloth or something like that and just hold them close to you on your chest and stroke their backs and talk softly to them. This will just reassure them that you're safe and just want to be their friend. I know it sounds corny, but it works! With the flicking thing, Elle is totally right. Birds often bite out of fear or anger, like any other animal, and flicking them in the beak is just going to scare them or make them mad, and I don't think it's going to make any ammends with them. Just try out the heart to heart thing. If they do bite, just ignore it. Parrots have the mind of a toddler, and if you don't pay any attention, they'll stop. Besides that, a budgie bite really doesn't hurt. Just take it and act as if nothing happened. They might just want attention, you never know. When I had my birds, if I didn't play with them for a little while, they'd start to get aggressive and nip from time to time. Another part of it all is pecking order. Birds LOVE to be up higher than everyone else. Don't let them up on your shoulder at first. It gives them a sense of power, and that might make them feel as if it's okay to bite you, which it isn't. Keep them at about chest level on your finger and practise the step-up game with them. just nudge their belly (i'm sure you've done this before) to get them to perch, and every time they do, praise them and give them a treat, use your other finger to try again. just do it maybe 5 times in a row to start, a couple times a day. This will get them used to being on your finger, and they'll start to realize they get affection/treat if they're good little birdies. Once they know who's in charge, you might start letting them up on your shoulder. Just be patient and keep trying, and soon you'll have your loving birdies that you want. (ahaaha.. sorry about the length.. i'm a bird nerd. :H)
Are the budgies female? I used to breed budgies a few years ago and from what I was told and from my own experience I've discovered the girls tend to be a bit more bitey than the boys. I'd get a big cage and let em be.
have you tryed to hand feed them? this may get them use to your hand quickly... Keep trying i know it can hurt when they get hold of ya dispite the small beeks persiverience pays off in the end..
