How do I start a relationship with my parakeet?

Question

I have a parakeet, I had him a little over a week now, and I want to know how to start a relationship with him. I want to pet him, and start loving on him, but how do I get him to trust me? He can step on my finger, but out of the cage, he flies around the room if I try to set him on my shoulder or knee. Please help make friends with my birdy, Spiffy!

Answer 1

He's going to have to 1st get use to his new home environment.  Once that has happened then you can work more closely with him.  He is hand tame, that's a very good thing.  Once he starts to calm down a bit, let him on your hand and just talk nicely to him.  Some people don't like to let birds on their shoulders, I always did.  That's if you can trust him not to bite your ear or face.  Anyway, just go slow.  Eventually he will trust you to touch him gently.  I always liked to roam all over my house with my birds, especially in the beginning, so they do get use to their surroundings and you.  I like, and my birds like to go into the bathroom and look at themselves in the mirror.  The whole wile just keep talking with him gently.  I talk to my birds as if they were children.  In time spiffy will be your best bud.  You can also offer him some good things to eat from your hand while he's in his cage.  If he won't take anything, just keep offering, eventually he will.  Another good thing to do is, not letting him out of his cage unless he steps on to your hand, and you let him out.

Wishing you lots of luck with your new feathered friend.

Answer 2

I hear they get more comfortable in a new environment if you give them a millet. Which is sold at pet stores.

Answer 3

I love parakeets, and I've had many. Not all of them enjoy playing with humans... if yours already sits on your finger, maybe you are lucky.

Sit near the cage, and talk soothingly and looking at him. And repeat the same phrases, day after day. Release him when you see he comes close to you in the cage. Leave crumbs on your table, let him fly in the room... he'll sit on the table, eventually. Or on his own cage. Leave the door open, he might get in the cage again. Mine does...

Give him time, and don't cut his feathers... if he likes humans, and if he does not feel fear, he'll come closer day after day. But first...talk to him and let him enjoy your voice.

Mine flies all over the house looking for me, because he wants to hear what I say.  If I shut up, he shouts.

Be patient... and let him bite your finger through the bars... let him touch you.

Good luck and enjoy your parakeet.  

Answer 4

You can try offering Spiffy treats such as millet sprays. Parakeets love these treats. Try offering Spiffy millet sprays once you got him outside the cage. This way he'll know you're not out to get him. As long as you don't give up, with time, he'll get used to his new home and its surroundings.

Heres a nice article on taming parakeets:

http://www.budgieplace.com/taming.html