My Brand New Parakeet won't Make Any Sounds

User Question
First, thank you for having all the info on parakeets on the internet. My daughter got her first parakeet on Thursday. We have not heard one chirp out of him, not even on the ride home. Is this normal? We talk to him quite often and sometimes we can see his beak moving but no sound at all is coming out. Also, is it to soon to start holding him? Any information or help will be very much appreciated.

Lisa's Answer
In the wild, parakeets who are alone and make noise are quickly found by predators. So parakeets learn that if they are alone and afraid, they should be VERY quiet so they aren't found by predators. Your parakeet coming home with you in a strange box must have felt very afraid! So as much as it might settle down and begin to trust you, it's still very cautious about making any noises.

Help your parakeet settle in by having it a part of your daily routine. Keep noises near it soothing and happy. Don't yell or make loud noises. If you have to be away, play some soft music. In the wild, silence is a sign of danger, and that will stress your parakeet out even more. I'm sure after a few days of settling in, your parakeet will begin to trust you enough to make some small chirps!

If your budgie was a hand raised budgie then he should already be used to people picking him up and you can do so immediately. But if you got your budgie from the bin-o-budgies, he doesn't consider humans to be 'friendly' yet. I have advice on the site about how to slowly get your parakeet used to being held, starting with just a perch being pressed against his chest and then moving on to the finger. Be very patient and slow in doing all of this. Parakeets live for 10-20 years, so there's no rush! I'm sure in a few weeks that your parakeet will be sitting on your finger and warbling happily to you :)

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