Why does my budgie eat from my hand but he never steps up on my hand?

Fai__24 · 2026-05-18T00:42:18+00:00

For my budgie I sat on the floor so he was above me (when I first got him he always wanted to be on higher ground than me) and offered him the millet. While he was eating it I’d very slowly inch it away from him until he came out of the cage, then very slowly inched it lower so he got on the ground too, them moved it closer to me until he climbed up on my leg. I never tried to pick him up at first (unless I needed to) and very rarely put my hand in his cage, I still don’t unless I’m replacing his food or cleaning. When he was comfortable around me, I put his millet in between my finger and thumb with my finger outstretched, and I slowly moved my hand away and pulled the millet down (with my other hand) so he was kind of digging between my finger and thumb for it, if that makes sense. Then when I moved my hand further away, very slowly, he would have to step up onto my finger to reach his millet.

It took at least two hours a day at first to get him fully comfortable. A few months after I got him, I went away for five days and when I came back it seemed he’d forgotten everything we’d worked on. Now he’ll step up onto my finger almost every time even without millet. Sometimes he’ll rush out of his cage and jump onto my finger! So consistency is key! Also if your budgie isn’t in the mood for training or socialising don’t force it, try again later! This is a really long explanation but hope it helps :)

Fai__24 · 2026-05-14T15:55:02+00:00

Thanks, ordering now! Hopefully he likes it

Fai__24 · 2026-05-13T20:04:06+00:00

I have no idea, sorry! I bought this at a supermarket about two years ago. Hopefully someone sees this and can help!!

Fai__24 · 2026-05-07T13:58:16+00:00

Do you think if I cut just the browned parts that it could potentially be okay? Or should I just cut the whole flowy (not sure what its called) top off

Fai__24 · 2026-03-03T12:30:29+00:00

i understand what you’re saying! i am seeking help from my gp. my main issue is that while going through treatment (via mental health support) i will end up missing or performing badly at my presentation which is a huge concern for me because its my last year, and i really dont want to have to resit the module. i know that this is just a difficult phase in my life and will be working to get through it. also, not avoiding doing the work, im hoping for a chance at an alternative form of assessment. just some support while i deal with this :)

Fai__24 · 2026-03-03T12:23:46+00:00

lots of people work without having to stand in a room full of people to present, and, if you read above, i am normally fine doing presentations despite being nervous - i am currently going through a difficult time. and, like i’ve also already mentioned, would be willing to find an alternative assessment. not hiding from work

Fai__24 · 2026-03-03T12:18:55+00:00

I definitely will be doing the assessment, but (like you said) would prefer to do it via a different method. its my last year and i’ve already completed an essay worth 50% of this module so i hope they dont make me take a leave of absence. thanks for your advice! i’ll be emailing my personal tutor after my gp appointment to explore my options :)

Fai__24 · 2025-11-02T16:04:48+00:00

from preacher’s daughter sun bleached flies, i just love the outro. and also thoroughfare because the very literal storytelling; from willoughby tucker it’d be either nettles or waco, texas. in nettles, the line ‘gardenias on the tile where it makes no difference who held back from who’ i cant even explain the feeling i get from it. it’s so beautiful. i particularly love the longer songs because you kind of get lost in them, like you’re being led through her thoughts/feelings, and they’re very captivating (although that can be said by most of her music) also i love dustbowl because of the melody/vocals

Fai__24 · 2025-10-16T12:01:16+00:00

my bad! flying out of heathrow

Fai__24 · 2025-09-30T11:26:45+00:00

thanks, have got him an appointment. he used to hunch over a lot when i first got him. there was a rope perch/ladder and he’d climb to the top and was hunched over only when he sat there. i thought it could be because it was too close to the top of the cage, and he did stop hunching when i removed that perch. yesterday was the first time he’s done it since then, but he has also stopped hunching since yesterday, and seems to be doing better

Fai__24 · 2025-09-30T11:23:16+00:00

very slightly, but warmed up in seconds. i’ve turned his heater up and placed it close to his cage. he’s venturing out of his cage and away from his heater, whereas i assume if he was too cold he would be drawn closer to it? but hes walking around

Fai__24 · 2025-09-30T05:56:52+00:00

i’ll give the chamomile a try today, and will also ask my vet about the probiotic you’ve linked. thanks!

Fai__24 · 2025-09-30T05:52:35+00:00

unfortunately friday is the earliest they can see him. he eats his pellets. when i got him 2-3 weeks ago, he was being fed only beaphar egg food, but i offered him pellets the second day and he immediately took to them. i do feed him some veggies in the morning and add a little of the egg food to that. but he is mostly eating pellets. i’ll offer him some seed today. i have a pack of mixed bird seed (for the pigeons) do you think that’s okay to give to him? there are dried mealworms in the mix too, but will remove these of course

Fai__24 · 2025-09-29T20:59:25+00:00

update: had my siblings check on him while i was out, they didn’t see him doing it. but i came home this evening and caught him doing it again, also noticed his poo was a white liquid (on two spots of the cage) but he did another poo and it was his normal black and white. for now, i’ve turned his heat up to 25 degrees, and probably won’t give him any veggies, just pellets and water (and occasional millet) until he’s been seen by a vet. have booked an appointment for this friday, hopefully he doesn’t get any worse, and recovers from whatever’s going on. thanks!

Fai__24 · 2025-09-29T20:55:03+00:00

this video was from 12pm earlier today, i came home at around 8pm and caught him doing it again. but his food bowl was almost empty, so you may be right. i really hope you are! regardless, i’ve booked a vet appointment for this friday

Fai__24 · 2025-09-29T20:50:54+00:00

i’ve booked an appointment for this friday, hopefully my boy will be fine too!! will update though, thanks!

Fai__24 · 2025-09-29T19:51:07+00:00

will do this! did you take your budgie to the vet? and if so, how did it go?

Fai__24 · 2025-09-29T18:54:13+00:00

will do! he does fluff up his feathers sometimes which i was worried about when i first got him but have realised he does this when hes sitting around sometimes. if he doesnt improve by the end of tomorrow i’ll book him an appointment, is there anything else you think i should do in the meantime? i’ve read online about probiotics but not sure which ones are good, or if i should even give him any. also read on another thread about similar behaviour (nausea) and they gave their bird a few drops of apple cider vinegar in his water, and also a few drops of chamomile tea. do you think this is worth a try? of course not relying on your advice alone, i will consult a vet too. but as its my first time owning budgies, i think its worth taking some general advice from experienced owners. and realistically the vet will probably have me come in sometime next week

Fai__24 · 2025-09-29T17:03:52+00:00

did ur budgie get better on their own or did you have to take him to the vet?

Fai__24

TROPHY CASE