Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 9/20/2006

Question
Hello,

I just got a new male baby parakeet from Petsmart. He seems very quite, doesn't make noice, just sits in his cage and doesn't move around a lot. I have a big cage, food, water, toys, and cuddlebone.
He is VERY tame and I can pet him and take him out. He doesn't try to bite either. But I haven't seen him eat or drink yet. He just sits in his cage and doesn't move. His feathers look smooth and clean but I don't know anything about Parakeets. What should I do? I sometimes see the bird make movements with his mouth, but doesn't chirp. He is aware and looks around when I move or talk to him, but he never climbs around or moves on his own. I'm a little worried as I don't know what is normal from a baby parakeet.
The lady at Petsmart said he would be a really good tame bird. Can you help me?

Answer
Hi, Aaron.  Thanks for posting!

It doesn't sound like anything is wrong with your new baby!  S/he sounds perfectly normal to me.  The inactivity is probably because s/he isn't used to you or his/her new environment yet.  Give the bird some time and I'm sure s/he'll come around just fine, especially if this keet is tame.  Don't force s/he to do anything, but don't ignore the bird either.  Let s/he come around on his/her own time.  If the bird wants to step up on your finger, allow it to do so, but don't reach in the cage and grab it or anything to scare it.  You want to build a trusting relationship with your bird.  Visit my website if you wish for general info on birds:

http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/birdinfo/index.html

The internet is full of information about birds.  Google search for parakeet/budgie's specifically.

The mouth movements might be your keet yawning or getting a seed hull unstuck (s/he might be eating when you aren't watching).  

Come back with any questions.  Congrats on the new keet!  Keets are very nice parrots, although underrated as pet birds.  

Chrys