What to Do If a Newly Bought Budgerigar Is Very Afraid of People

1 Caring for a Budgie Just Brought Home

Place the new budgie somewhere dim to rest; if the room is bright, cover the cage. Keep it quiet and avoid startling it.

For the first 2-3 days, aside from feeding, do not disturb it, let it adjust. Once it is calm and active, gradually raise the cover by about a third each day so it adapts slowly.

After a few days it usually adapts fully. To build trust, start hand-feeding: place food in your hand, hold it still in the cage, and let the budgie come peck. This shows you mean no harm and lets it learn your scent and voice.

2 What If the Budgie Is Afraid of People?

If it stays fearful for a long time, try this training:

1. Sound Desensitization

Hang the cage where people pass by often, but not too noisily, just enough human chatter for the budgie to get used to your voices and blend into family life.

2. More Interaction

In the first week, spend a little time talking to it daily. Before each feeding, make a fixed sound, its name or a whistle, to prepare for later training.

3. Hand-Feeding

When it no longer tenses as you approach, hand-feed as above. If it shows anxiety during feeding, back off and try again later.

4. Try Leaving the Cage

Once it fears you less, make a fist, extend a finger as a perch, nudge it gently to step up. When it is out, close windows and doors and cover mirrors to prevent accidents.