Parakeets

Although the American Parakeet, or English Budgie, is a parrot, it does not have the same behavioral problems that you might find with their larger cousins. They are less noisy and bite less than the conure, macaw, or other parrots; that doesn't mean these behavioral issues don't happen, though.

Parakeet can be noisy if they want to get someone's attention. They may also bite, but it is not as common. Training is the best way to change your Parakeets actions, but understanding why they are doing them can be helpful in knowing how to proceed.

All parrots will make some noise as they are very vocal birds. They generally chatter early in the morning after their cover has been removed, close to the time they would usually go out to forage in the wild, and near the end of the day to make sure all their flock had returned. These are normal times that your Parakeet would chatter to get you to respond.

If they are screaming too loudly, however, you can teach them that loudness is not acceptable. Replace the cover until they stop screaming. Remove the cover only when they stop. Continue to do this, consistently each day the screaming begins, and soon they will learn that screaming is not acceptable.

Parakeets generally will not bite in the wild, even during the mating season and trying to protect their territory. Biting is never acceptable so address this action immediately, however they may bite a human if they are afraid, protecting their territory, or out of jealousy.

Before you begin training them not to bite, take a week to try to figure out why it is biting. Is there a pattern? If there is, you'll know how to proceed. If you haven't seen a pattern, continue to journal until one is apparent.

Fear: A Budgie may bite out of fear or being pushed to do what they don't want to do. Has the Parakeet been mistreated? Was it placed in the hand of a stranger? If these reasons are the culprit, ask yourself how you think the bird will react. Slowly introduce your bird to new activities or people; this should stop biting out of fear.

Territory: Parakeets can become territorial, particularly females that are nearing the breeding season. Males nearing mating season may also become territorial, as well. To combat the territorial instinct during this time, move the cage around to different locations each week. If the cage moves weekly, they won't have a territory to guard and will stop biting. Praise them when they act in a way that is expected.

If your Parakeet bites whenever you put your hand in their cage, don't allow this to continue. Instead of your finger, introduce a perch rod, and then gradually introduce your finger after they have stopped biting. Each bird needs to understand that biting isn't acceptable and will not be tolerated.

Jealousy: Parakeets may become jealous over certain people in the family, especially with a very close bond. They will bite if they feel their relationship with you is being threatened. Begin by introducing the Parakeet to new people. Let them interact with your bird while you are not present. Let them offer treats and play games with it. They will start to trust its relationship with you and the biting should stop.

Never hit or yell at a parakeet. They don't understand these actions as being discipline, but only see them as means to intimidate. This may cause the actions to increase rather than decrease. How should you react? Don't react at all, even though it may not be an easy thing to do, especially if the bite hurt. Continue doing what you planned to do, they'll get bored, and stop biting. Don't do anything that may reinforce the biting.

Parakeets have been pets for hundreds of years. They make wonderful pets that can be quite entertaining. While they may not have the same tendency to inappropriate behavior, it can still happen. Training them about what is acceptable behavior is the best way to stop the actions and strengthen your relationship, as well.

Newsflash! Parakeets love Millet! They will do almost anything for this wonderful treat. So here's a snapshot of some training that will help your parakeet become a little more comfortable with you.

Take some millet in your fingers and just hold it inside the cage. If you can get your hand close enough to your keet let him eat it out of your fingers. After he's had a little move it away from him. If he follows it great! If not hold it out of his reach and reward him with a little nibble of it every time he looks at it. Once he's figured out that he gets some when he looks at it make it a little tougher and wait to reward him until he actualy moves toward it.

Then when he realizes he has to move toward the millet to get a treat make it a little more difficult yet. Put one finger on the perch so he has to actualy walk across your finger to get to the millet. Continue this process until he has to step up onto your finger and stay there to get his millet. This may be a several day process but followed correctly you will end up with a little friend who is no longer afraid of your fingers and will be willing to step up onto your finger.