Cage hermit :)

[Rebekah]

Hello,
After owning our first parakeet for 3 years, he flew out the door and never was seen again, so about a month ago we bought a new parakeet. Our first bird, Chipper, was an American budgie and since we wanted to try something new this last time we bought an English budgie, Tango. He seemed to be progressing really well at first, (got on my finger quickly and just sat there when I stroked his head and back feathers) but after about 2 weeks, he seemed to change. He still seems like a very well natured bird though, since he hasn’t bitten me or any of my other family members even once since we got him….He’ll even let me put my hand around his entire body and pretty much just sits there. However, he seems to be a cage hermit…He pretty much has been ever since we first got him. So, my question is…How do I get him to come out of his cage? I’ve tried a lot of different things…even taking out the top perches so that he’s forced to sit next to the door…but whenever I come up to him or open the door while he’s 3 inches in front of it, he flies to the other side of the cage. When I do get him out of the cage, (very rare – pretty much by trickery), he either flies directly back to his cage if it’s in view and goes right back in, or goes underneath our coach and walks along the wall. He seems to like enclosed areas, too. So, if any of you have had a similar problem, I would LOVE to hear how you fixed it! Suggestions are more than welcome, as well! Thanks!

~Rebekah~

[swtnikki]

First of all, hi & welcome :)
Second of all, my parakeet Spike was like that for the first two weeks - didn't wanna go out of his cage, or if you took him out, he would fly right back in. What my friend suggested - & I wish that he would post here more,' cause he has lots of good advice - is to put him on your shoulder as much as possible, so that he can trust you. I did that, & now when he steps up, he goes right on my shoulder, & tries ta bite holes in my shirt :rolleyes:

[Squawksx3]

Hi Rebekah and welcome :)

Sounds like your little guy feels safe and secure in his cage ;) . I'm not sure how to help on this, I dont have any 'keets, but try what swtnikki suggested. If it continues, maybe you should think about getting him a buddy. Good luck!

[swtnikki]

I know it's been a couple of days since you posted this, but I wanted just ta know how it's going w/the advice? Is he going out more, or staying the same? Just think, once you got that down, the newest trick you might be teaching him is not getting him ta crap on you every time :D

[JenniferAnne]

Hi i don't know what to tell you either. i have a male an female parakeets an i let one out the other day an both started chirping at each other.i guess they were trying to locate each other.:)i think placing him on your shoulder is a good idea.maybe getting use to being around you an outside his cage will help.good luck!

[crazeemama]

as he has been just recently purchased, the cage is the only thing even remotely similar to what he is used to. I would go with the TALK SOFTLY, WALK SLOWLY, and BRIBE HEAVILY methodology. Works for me whether the bird is a budgie or a greenwing macaw!
I have also heard of putting them on your shoulder once you have them out. Since it is a budgie, I don't have a problem with that. Don't think i would try that for anything bigger than a cockatiel, however!
Talk to him, and sit by him without him being the center of attention also. You could leave the door open and let him come at his leisure.
If you have another pet or even a stuffed animal, let him see you 'loving up' on them too. Really lay it on thick. It is amazing, but it works.