An Obnoxious Guest Undid my Training

User Question
I have a great budgie who is about 6 months old. Up to about 4 months, I could rub her neck, and she was totally unafraid of a hand in the cage or out of the cage. A couple of months ago my 9 year old had a friend over, and I walked into the room to see him poking at the bird--ever since I've got a biter on my hands. Any suggestions? Thanks!!

Lisa's Answer
It's amazing how a single bad encounter can destroy the trust of a person or critter! Just think if you were a married woman and were in love with your husband - but then you discovered he cheated on you. Even though it was just one time, now your attitude towards him is tainted and it can take you a long time to trust again. The same is true with parakeets. They are extremely intelligent and their entire nature teaches them to fear large humans who might eat them. They put out a lot of trust and faith in you to sit on your finger and believe in your gentleness. If they are shown that "humans can be evil" that can really harm their ability to trust.

But just like humans learn to forgive, parakeets eventually learn to forgive, and to realize that while this one friend might have been unpleasant, it doesn't mean that YOU are also unpleasant. You need time and patience here. Give your parakeet ample opportunity to learn that all humans aren't bad, just because one was. Let her learn that you are still the kind, gentle, patient person in her life that you always have been.

I'll also comment here that parakeets go through phases just like children do. Parakeets are VERY cuddly when they are young. Then they turn into teenagers and get snippy and cranky and haughty. Then after that they become adults and are much more easy going - perhaps not quite as cuddly, but also quite more friendly than in their teenage years. So it might be that the friend who poked just happened to come along as your budgie got into her teenage years and now she is cranky. She's into her Angst and Torment time :) If you're patient and gentle, she'll get through it and become a cuddly friend again.

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