Budgie problem? I need help!?

Question

I have a year old green budgie named Gizmo and I think he doesn't really trust me. Here is the problem. I have a string attached to his cage door to hold it up and open when I am in the room. He used to always stand on the edge right in the doorway to come out or to fly to me but he never does that any more. When I slowly put my hand in to pick him up and try to take him out he hops onto my finger without me even stroking his chest and I will then try to take him out myself but he will just turn around and hop back on his perch. However most of the time right before I get him out he grabs onto the bar of his door and won't let go even though most of his body is already out of the cage. Why doesn't he want to come out? I know he needs to get some exercise and playtime out of his cage to be healthy. Is there anything i can do to break him of this habit? I sort of feel bad cuz i feel like im doing something wrong. Any advice or tips would be great. P.S. when he does hop om my finger he starts to hump my hand! Is there anyway i could get him to stop doing that too?

Answer 1

Be sure there's plenty of light in the room, and not a lot of activity or noise. Talk calmly to the bird as you approach it. Maybe you can approach it with an open hand that has some seeds in your palm.  

Answer 2

I think you've gone a little too far with the "Empowering Parrots" theory! LOL! This is when you let the birds choose what they want to do so they become more confident individuals. My new male budgie was fussy about getting out of his cage too, you just have to try to sweep him/your hand out of the cage a little faster.

I suggest you start a little re-training every morning. If your bird eats seed (should be having healthy pellets), then remove his food dish every night and use his food for training in the morning. Start learning the methods of clicker training, it can help both of you to relate to each other.

It took me about 4 months to get my new bird to the point of tameness I like. Every morning (less now) I clicker train him. He knows how to wave, turn around and spin around his perch. In addition to teaching mindless tricks (but it's great for the bonding process), you can teach all birds how to step up and accept petting.