How to Teach Your Parakeet to Love You

Co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Last Updated: July 1, 2024 Approved

It can be somewhat difficult to get a parakeet (sometimes called a "budgie") to effectively bond with you, but with a little patience, you can get the bird to come around. In fact, if you spend the time necessary to get your parakeet comfortable with you, you can establish a loving relationship. Follow these guidelines and you can have your parakeet loving you back in no time.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Getting To Know Your Parakeet

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Make your budgie comfortable. The cage is a safe space for your parakeet, but you want him or her to be in the presence of your family enough to be used to seeing and hearing people. Be sure, however, that this is a place where the bird can get rest when wanted—budgies need 10-12 hours of sleep per night.^{[1]
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- Cover the cage when your budgie sleeps—this blocks his or her vision and keeps drafts at bay—and be sure no loud noises will startle your parakeet where it's sleeping
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Get closer to your budgie. Once the bird seems comfortable in his or her cage where you have put it—and especially where they will be in the presence of people on a regular basis—start getting closer to the cage each day. Move slowly when you come near the cage so as not to frighten your parakeet.^{[2]
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- Talk softly to the bird when you are near the cage. Avoid sudden movements.
- Spend plenty of time near the cage—the more the better. Your parakeet will know that you know he or she is there. You are essentially the bird's flock, with which he or she would spend all their time with in the wild, so the more time you spend with your budgie, the better.
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Research source} If it moves away, don't move your hand; instead, keep it there and talk to the bird or read a book. The point is to get the bird used to your hand and your presence. Be sure not to scare the bird.

Part 2

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Hand Training Your Budgie

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Approach your budgie from inside the cage. Once your parakeet doesn't move away from your hand, it's time to do the same on the inside of the cage. Reach inside your budgie's cage and rest your hand there for a while.^{[4]
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Research source} It's especially effective if you do this while holding a treat, such as millet. Holding a treat helps to gain the bird's trust.
- Slowly, over time, move your hand closer and closer to your bird. Chances are, if you are holding a treat, your parakeet will begin to eat from your hand.
- If you coax your budgie to a place in the cage where he or she cannot reach the treat in your hand while on a perch or the side of the cage, your budgie will likely be convinced to jump onto your hand to get the treat.
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Get your parakeet to perch on your finger. After a while of feeding the bird on/from your hand, try to get your budgie to perch on your finger without food by slowly approaching it with your finger and nudging it against their belly near the feet.
- Your parakeet may jump off your finger quickly, but keep trying—just don't overwhelm the bird. Give him or her some time between attempts and continue to move slowly. Be patient, and your bird should start getting on your finger voluntarily over time.^{[5]
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The next phase of hand training is getting your bird to come outside the cage while perched on your hand. Because your parakeet feels safe inside the cage, he or she may jump off your hand near the exit. Keep trying, though, just like when you tried to get him or her to eat from your hand or perch on your finger. Eventually your budgie will learn to trust you enough to come outside the cage with you.

Part 3

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Interacting With Your Parakeet

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Talk to your parakeet a lot. Every time you pass by your parakeet, stop a minute and talk to it. If you repeat the same phrases or noises (such as whistles) when you do talk to your bird, he or she may even start saying them him or herself. Parakeets can talk just like other pet birds.^{[6]
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- Talking to the bird also gets him to trust you more—which can translate to a loving budgie.^{[7]
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Parakeets may occasionally groom one another, and, as you are part of their flock, your budgie may like it if you gently rub or stroke his or her feathers in different places.^{[8]
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Research source} Try scratching his or her head very gently, stroking his or her back, or rubbing his or her belly.
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Remember to always handle your parakeet with care. Budgies are small and very delicate.^{[9]
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Research source} Take it easy when handling your budgie and you will have an even more trusting pet, which can translate to a loving relationship with your bird.
- Never hit or do anything rough with your parakeet.
- Never kiss your budgie on the beak or anywhere else, because human saliva, even in small concentrations, is toxic for a budgie.
Parakeets may take time to warm up to you. "My parakeet was very afraid of me, but with these helpful tips he's warming up and isn't backing away from my hand. I can't wait until he can perch on my finger!" - Jason D.

A cage mate made all the difference. "We got our little guy, Oscar, a year ago. He was very skittish and would not be handled. We decided to get him a cage mate. Since the new addition, he has not hidden from us or even attempted to hide in his burrow. Our new little girl is just what Oscar needed to bring him out of his shell. We hope he becomes even more accepting." - Kat K.

Have a story our readers should hear? Share it with 1 billion+ annual wikiHow users. Tell us your story here.

Part 4

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Caring for Your Parakeet

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Feed your budgie a variety of foods, like fruits and vegetables, seeds and pellets.^{[10]
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Research source} A full bird is a happy bird, particularly when it isn't bored of the food you give it. Give your budgie seeds, pellets, fruits and vegetables.^{[11]
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- Start out with natural pellets that contain no colorings or added sugar.
- Feed seeds separately—not mixed with pellets.^{[12]
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  Start out with natural pellets that contain no colorings or added sugar.}
- There are some foods to avoid, including avocados, eggplant, mushrooms, onions, chocolate and more.^{[13]
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Parakeets play a lot, so toys will keep them very happy, making them more loving pets. Give them shiny toys, swings, rings, bells, etc.^{[14]
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Keep your budgie's cage clean. Budgies appreciate a clean home just like people. The difference is that budgies live in close proximity to their droppings. Keeping their cage clean minimizes exposure and helps keeps your bird nice and healthy.^{[15]
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- Get good perches for your parakeet(s). Perches with varying diameter like natural tree branches help your budgie get exercise that is in addition to you bringing him or her out of the cage.^{[16]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

What can I do if the budgie is scared of me?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Take your time to get to know each other. Let her watch you to get used to seeing you. Move slowly and speak quietly in her presence. Offer her food from a spoon and talk softly so that she starts to associate you with good things. It may takes weeks or months to fully win her trust.

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Question

What if you try to scare your parakeet? What are the consequences?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

You will frighten the bird and she'll become fearful of you. As a result she won't want to be handled and may peck or become aggressive. In addition, birds can be 'scared to death' so be aware that a fright could kill.

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Tips

Remember, parakeets need lots of stimulation. Plenty of toys are a must!

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Want the bird to step on your hand? Don't shove your hand into their stomach. Make sure the bird has a choice whether or not it would like to perch. This makes them like you.
Make sure the bird can count on an exact time to get out and fly around the room. Otherwise, the bird will not expect any other time.
It helps to only have one parakeet at a time so they get attached to you and not the other bird.

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Warnings

Avoid using gloves to handle your parakeet. Birds are naturally scared of hands and gloves only imitate the shape and make them appear bigger. This will actually teach your bird not to trust you more.

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