Goood or bad??

[Scott16]

I have a budgie and I am trying to teach her not to bite. I have been putting food in my hand and letting her eat it she takes to it but,she still bites me but not as much. Will this teach her to bite me or too like me.Oh yeah,I have also been Ignoring her bites and not pulling away because I heard that if you pull away they will keep biting you. One last question how do I teach her to sit on my finger. Thanks and Happy Holidays!!!! :D :D

[Monica]

It sounds like you are doing a good job. If she learns that her food comes from you, and if you hold it in your hand, then this entices her to eat from your hand.

Take a favorite treat of hers (maybe some spray millet) and hold it in your hand for her to eat, inside the cage. Once she becomes accustomed to this, make it so that she has to come to the cage door to get this treat. Once she gets use to this, put one hand (say your right) infront of the cage, and the treat in the other hand (your left hand) right above your right hand. If she gets use to this, slowly pull the treat back so that she'd have to climb onto your right hand to eat the treat. If you use patience then this might work...

Just one suggestion...

[SMOKESTACK]

I got a new budgie about a week ago and one thing I have learned about them is you do have to have a lot of patience. I used a tip that I read in a book about tiels. If you hold out your finger under her tummy and gently raise your finger upward she almost has no choice but to get on your finger. It only took me a couple of hours to get my new baby used to getting on my finger. Now if only I can get him to come out of the cage while he is sitting on my finger.

[Chariclo]

Hey - hats off - you're doing better than I am with my cockatiel! Everytime I get close enough to have him step up he flies away! It's very frustrating - but good for building character at least!

[Tiki]

You really can't win 'em all. Out of my 10 tiels only 3 will come to me readily: Maui, Manu and Shaka

These will come if THEY feel like it but not when I call them: Tiki, Rangi, Tattoo and Rima

These ones are not afraid but just don't like being touched: Taina, Koro and Manea

Just little personality quirks....I love all of them but just had to accept that some are more affectionate than others. Tattoo is weakening because Shaka has come over to my side (because of his best mate-Manu) so I am still hopeful!