Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 12/31/2007

Question
I've had my budgie now for 7 months and it is crazy.Im guessing it is a girl from its behavior and noises she makes although the cere hasn't taken to one color still and weirdly looks blue one day and brown the next.I had a male budgie with her who was lovely and friendly, he died recently from unknown causes, he was eating and drinking and singing as usual.
She is now by herself and has been for the last 4 days.She is very nervous and flaps and moves away if you go near the cage and is nervous to eat in front of you.I have tried speaking to her in a calm voice and tried to get her used to me but she doesn't seem to be improving.My partner is doing the same but she doesn't want to know! What else can i do to get her used to me.I know budgies are better to live with other budgies and have been thinking of getting another as company, im just worried she will never get used to me then!

Answer
Hi, Lucy,

The first thing that concerns me is that with the death of the other bird with cause unknown, it's possible the existing bird could come down with the same thing the other bird died from.  Hopefully, you've disinfected the cage, toys, perches, etc., since the bird's death.  Watch this bird closely for signs of illness.

Birds prefer other birds to humans and the best pet bird is a single bird in the home.  If you want this bird to be a good pet bird/companion, do not purchase another bird.  You are correct, if you purchase another bird, the existing bird will not have a reason to have you as a companion.  

The remaining bird could be grieving the loss of the other bird, particularly if they have been together for a while.  When the other bird was still living, perhaps the existing bird felt more safe when humans were around.  It sounds to me like the remaining bird is not tame.  Combine this with confusion, grief for the other bird, I can understand why this bird is behaving as she is.  You will have to start from scratch taming this bird.  Your goal should be to gain trust with this bird.  As such, don't do anything to scare the bird or make the bird frightened of you.  Don't try to bring the bird out of its cage by putting your hand inside...allow the bird to come out on its own.  It helps to trim the bird's flight feathers.  When outside the cage with trimmed flight feathers, the bird will not be able to gain altitude when it flies making her easier to control and she will need to rely on you for most of her mobility.  Talk with her calmly at first, trying to handfeed her with her favorite treat, etc., and progress with her at the bird's speed, not how quickly you want things to happen.  Always reward positive behavior and never reward negative behavior.  Once you reach a point where the bird is comfortable with you outside her cage, allow her to sit on your shoulder when you watch TV or work on the PC, play PC games, etc.  Right now the bird needs to get used to the new routine, the other bird being gone, and you and your partner, before you move on to other things.

Chrys