How to Hand Train a Parakeet

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Parakeets are very smart animals and if you have one, you will probably want to train it to be your friend. The first step is to hand train it or have it comfortably perch on your index finger. Once your parakeet is fully hand trained you’ll be able to carry it around and play with it outside of its cage. In order to accomplish this task, you'll need to create a comfortable environment for your parakeet and then slowly train it to trust your hand.

Part 1
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Creating a Comfortable Environment

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  1. When you first bring your parakeet home from the pet store, you’ll probably be given a carrier box. This box will do for the trip home, but should most certainly not be used as a permanent housing space. Your parakeet needs enough room to live and avoid boredom. This means it’ll need several places to perch so it can watch you during your daily routine.
    • When transferring your parakeet to its new cage, be sure to open the cage door and put the box up to the tip of the cage door. Don't put your hand in there and try to force the bird out. You want to let the bird come out on its own.
    • Patience is the key to getting your bird in the cage. If you shake the box and tilt it, you're just startling the bird more. This will cause the bird to want to move back further into the box.
  2. A good environment is vital to a healthy life for your parakeet. Do not put parakeets in a dark room that is quiet. If your room is bright and you are interacting with the parakeet, it will feel comfortable. Make sure the cage is level and in an area with adequate, but not too much foot traffic. [1]
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  3. Before you even begin to hand train it, you’ll want your parakeet to be used to your voice. Keep your voice at moderate levels with a normal speaking tone. Talk to your bird about anything you want to, just be sure to talk to it. It will hear your voice and want to inspect the source of the sound. Only after it isn’t startled by your voice and your physical presence outside its cage should you begin training.
    • This is also the first step to train your parakeet to talk. Choose what language you want your parakeet to repeat. [2]
  4. You should change your parakeet’s food and water every day. Birds can be very particular about their food and water, just like people. They might perceive something as tainted and refuse to touch it.
    • Food: Make sure that you place at least a tablespoon of seed in a parakeet’s food bowl every day. Your parakeet will eat the seeds, but leave shells and discarded parts of the seed in its bowl or near it while eating. Many new parakeet owners confuse this refuse with new seed and don’t feed their parakeets as regularly. Change its food every day to avoid this problem. [3]
    • Water: Fill its water dish every day. Tap water works well. Don't add any vitamins or medicines. Some parakeets will refuse to drink this water if it tastes additives. [4]
  5. The water should be no more than one to two inches deep. Your bird will bathe itself. It doesn’t need to be bathed by you. Every couple of days replace the bird bath water. If your bird gets comfortable outside its cage, you can purchase mountable bird baths that attach to the outside of the cage. [5]
  6. There are numerous different products out there designed to line a parakeet's cage, yet most are actually dangerous for parakeets. Cedar shavings contain toxins that can affect your bird’s digestive tract. Pine shavings can be ingested by your parakeet and cause digestive problems too. Cat litter absorbs moisture and if ingested can cause serious issues. Stick to paper products. You can purchase paper designed for parakeet cages or you can just use unscented paper towels or unprinted newspaper. [6]
    • Inspect your parakeet’s cage daily for excess fecal matter. You should change its lining every couple of days.
  7. Parakeet toys come in all shapes, sizes, colors, textures, and smells. Many even make sounds. The more variety you give your parakeet the happier it’ll be. Your parakeet needs stimulation to be happy. Don’t let your parakeet get bored. In the long run, the happier your parakeet is, the easier it will be to hand train it.
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Part 2
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Establishing Hand Trust

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  1. Do this repeatedly. Make sure that you are inserting your hand slowly and in a non-threatening way. Don’t shake your hand around needlessly. Don’t shake the cage or hit your bird. Your goal is to teach your bird to trust that your hand won’t hurt it.
    • Lots of parakeets may fly around or squawk at you. However, remain still so it can determine that nothing will happen at this point.
  2. After your bird gets used to your hand being in its space, a treat will tell your bird to value your hand. Your hand should signify a safe and even beneficial addition to its space. The ideal treats will be made of grain or seed. They should be big enough for your bird to recognize, but small enough for your bird to pick up off of your hand.
  3. Perches come in many sizes. Most look like wooden dowels. Some are made out of metal. They all range in size. You should choose a comfortable perch that extends from your hand around 4 to 5 inches. Your goal with this step is to get your bird used to perching near your hand. The dowel will eventually be replaced by your fingers. [7]
  4. This will be the physical cue that tells your parakeet to step onto the perch. Make sure that you don’t jab your parakeet too hard. If you do, your parakeet will associate the perch and your hand (or presence) negatively. [8]
  5. Let’s say your parakeet’s name is Petee. You’d say “up, up, up Petee” while nudging its chest. This will add an auditory cue for your bird to learn. Eventually, you may be able to have your parakeet hop onto your finger with one or the other signal. [9]
  6. This includes gently petting its front, below its beak. Try not to pet your parakeet on its head or on its wings/back because it upsets the bird. or additional treats. In this respect, parakeets are like dogs and cats. They need some positive reward in order to learn the trick. Some parakeets don't like to be petted. If your parakeet is one of these, stick to treats. Make sure that you choose treats that are made from natural seeds, vegetables, and grains. Every parakeet is different and will prefer different treats. Experiment and figure out what your parakeet likes the most.
  7. Place the dowel and your finger near its feet. When your parakeet begins to step onto your finger instead of the perch, you can get rid of the perch entirely. [10]
    • Make sure you keep your finger straight, as if the perch is still in place underneath your finger. Your parakeet needs to feel safe and stable at all times or else it will avoid your finger out of caution or fear. 
  8. Remember that it has spent a long time inside the cage and will be understandably scared. This may take a few days. [11]
    • Keep the doors and windows closed so your bird doesn't escape.
  9. This is the only way that your parakeet will feel comfortable with its human flock.
  10. Only after it feels comfortable on your finger should you give it the opportunity to explore other parts of your body. This includes the head, knee, shoulder, and arm. You can train them to sit anywhere as long as you take things very, very slow so your bird feels safe. [12]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What if your budgie bites you?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Budgie bites do hurt so be careful you don't react with a sudden movement which could harm the bird. Speak to the bird before reaching out so that you don't take her by surprise, which could cause her to bite. Also, if she nips regularly she may have learned it as a habit or be fearful of you. Take things back a few steps (see the guide above) and restart your training as if for a new bird.
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  • Question
    How long does it take for you bird to learn its name?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    This depends on the individual bird, as some are quicker learners than others. Key to success if repetition and regularity, so the more often you tell the bird her name, the quicker she'll catch on. If you only train her once a week or once every couple of days she may never catch on.
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.hartz.com/Birds/Habitat/Putting_Your_Birdcage_in_the_Right_Place.aspx
      2. ↑ http://www.lisashea.com/petinfo/articles/bird_talking.html
      3. ↑ http://www.mit.edu/~rei/Birds-food.html
      4. ↑ http://www.mit.edu/~rei/Birds-food.html
      5. ↑ http://www.hartz.com/Birds/Grooming/how_to_bathe_your_bird.aspx
      6. ↑ http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww12eiii.htm
      7. ↑ http://www.lisashea.com/petinfo/handtrain/perch.html
      8. ↑ http://www.lisashea.com/petinfo/handtrain/fingerin.html
      9. ↑ http://www.lisashea.com/petinfo/handtrain/fingerin.html
      1. ↑ http://www.lisashea.com/petinfo/handtrain/perch.html
      2. ↑ http://www.lisashea.com/petinfo/handtrain/fingerout.html
      3. ↑ http://www.lisashea.com/petinfo/handtrain/fingerout.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to hand train a parakeet, give it a spacious cage in a well-lit room and talk to it frequently so it will feel comfortable around you. Start by placing your hand into the parakeet’s cage several times a day so it learns not to be afraid of your hand. Once it gets used to you, hold a treat in your hand whenever you reach into the cage. Hold your finger near the bird’s perch, then gently nudge its chest to encourage it to step onto your hand. Keep in mind the parakeet may be afraid at first, but with patience, it will become comfortable riding on your hand. To learn more from our Veterinarian co-author, like how to make your parakeet comfortable in its cage, keep reading the article!

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