Do you have a budgie that ignores you? If so, you’re not alone. Budgies are notorious for being one of the most independent pet birds. This blog post explores some of the reasons why your budgie might be ignoring you and what you can do to change it.
Budgies are social birds and need to feel comfortable with their surroundings; otherwise, they will ignore you. If they don’t trust you, it’s possible that talking at or near the cage will make them shy away from any interaction for a while instead of avoidance behavior, which means more time ignored than avoided. So go ahead – talk nicely- be familiar with your actions, so these little guys know what “friendly” looks like on both ends.
The following are six reasons your budgie ignores you and what you should do in turn to stop your budgie from ignoring you:
1. Unfamiliarity with the Surroundings
If your budgie is new to the home, getting used to their new surroundings will take some time. This includes getting used to you and your family. Give them some time, and they’ll warm up to you eventually.
2. Trust Issues
Have you ever wronged your budgie in the past, ignored its call for attention, or lacked time for your pet? If so, your budgie may not trust you and will take some time to warm up to you again.
3. Lack of Freedom
If your budgie is confined to a cage for extended periods, it may start to ignore you as a form of protest. Try letting them out of the cage more often so they can stretch their wings and explore.
4. Too Much Yelling from You
Budgies are sensitive creatures and can easily get scared by loud noises. If you tend to yell or make a lot of noise, your budgie may start to ignore you as a form of self-preservation. Try to keep your voice down when around your budgie and see if that makes a difference.
5. Harsh Grabbing
Budgies are also sensitive to touch. If you’ve ever grabbed your budgie too hard or in a way that scared them, they may start to associate you with that negative experience and ignore you. Try to be gentle when handling your budgie and see if that makes a difference.
6. Lack of Treats
Just like humans, birds also need a form of positive reinforcement. Budgies are motivated by food. If you don’t give them enough treats, they may start to ignore you because they don’t see you as being worth their time. Try giving your budgie a few extra treats each day and see if that helps.
How Do I Make My Friend a Budgie?
Now that you have addressed the issue of your budgies ignoring you, it’s time to make your feathery pet a friend. The following are seven ways to make your friend a budgie:
1. Create a Bonding Session
Have at least two bonding sessions with your budgie each day. These should last for 10-15 minutes each. During the bonding sessions, talk to your budgie in a soft, gentle voice. Offer small pieces of food from your fingers. Let its perch on your finger or shoulder and get used to being around you.
2. Provide Optimum Comfort Whenever Possible
Make sure your budgie has a comfortable cage to live in. The cage should be spacious enough for the budgie to move around freely. It should also have plenty of toys and perches for the budgie to play with. Comfort is also essential when it comes to handling your budgie. Make sure you’re gentle and never grab the bird too hard.
3. Be Sensitive to Signals
Fear, stress, discomfort, sickness, or unhappiness can all be signaled by a budgie through body language. It’s essential to learn to read these signals to act accordingly to remove the stressors, and the budgie would be a friend to you.
4. Offer Diverse Treats
Budgies love variety, so offer them a variety of treats. This keeps them happy and provides them with the nutrients they need. Some good treat options include fruits, vegetables, pellets, and seeds. Be sure to avoid giving your budgie too many sugary foods, leading to health problems.
5. Provide Friendly Toys
Toys are fun for budgies, but they also help keep their minds active. Be sure to offer a variety of safe toys for your budgie to play with. Some good toy options include mirrors, swings, ladders, and shredders.
6. Offer Opportunities to Socialize with Other Budgies
Once in a while, offer your budgie the opportunity to socialize with other budgies. This can be done by taking the bird to a park or aviary. Budgies are social creatures, so this is essential for their overall well-being.
7. Be Patient
Last but not least, be patient. It takes time for a budgie to get used to a new person or environment. Be patient and give your budgie the time it needs to adjust. Following these tips will help you make your budgie a friend in no time. Remember never to force friendship, as this can lead to negative consequences. Instead, let the friendship develop naturally and at the budgie’s own pace.