Taming issues with my budgie, please help?

[DrDivine]

I'm a little confused on what to do with my budgie Jupiter. He's always happy chirping real loud, playing with his bell, and loves company. Especially when I have friends over he runs back and forth really fast until i open the door so he can fly out and chirp. I think hes real comfortable with people he lets me pet him and everything. The problem is, he does not like to perch on fingers nor be handled in any kind of way. I'm curious how i can change this, he's social, likes to be interacted with, just not handled

[Adinah]

If he likes to be pet, you can try petting him while holding your finger in front of him. Then slowly pull away the hand you are scratching with so he has to step up on you for more. Once he's on just continue to scratch. Maybe add a treat for extra exciement :)

[lovesbudgies]

Some budgies don't like to be handled. I know my Aruba is fine coming out of the cage by herself but hates when I handle her, she will sit on my finger or hand but not for long. I am fine with that she does sit on my lap when she comes out of her cage and she does give me kisses. I would suggest working with your budgie in a quite room with no one around. Do it in baby steps, that is how i earned Aruba's trust. Good luck and if she refuses to step up on your hand just accept it. Not all budgies like being handled.

[sugarbeth]

He might like your hand a lot better if there was millet in it. :)

[DrDivine]

Yeah the funny thing is, he fears your hand if it has millet in it for some reason. he lets me pet him and stroke his stomach even, but if my hand has millet in it he freaks out

[birdlover912]

It sounds to me like your budgie doesn't understand what you are asking him when you want him to come onto your hand. Since your budgie lets you pet him and such, he most likely isn't afraid of you. To teach him to step up, you need your hand to seem like a good place to be. Since most budgies like millet, I would ask your budgie to step up onto your hand like in the diagram below. Don't wiggle the millet; try to keep it still so you don't scare him with it. Keep the millet just out of the bird's reach, so he has to come onto your hand for the reward.

Please forgive my drawing...I'm not exactly considered artistic when it comes to the computer! :)