Tips for new budgie owners: How to best bond with your parakeet?

Time and patience are key to helping your parakeets get used to you, and each individual bird may bond differently to you due to their individual personalities. If your birds have a favorite treat, you can also use that by giving it to them every time you visit their cage or interact. I'm also including an in-depth article on teaching your bird to step up which can help with the bonding process as well: https://www.petcoach.co/article/basic-bird-training-how-to-train-your-bird-to-step-up/

The squawking and knocking stuff over is normal, so I wouldn't worry too much about that. It's best to get bowls that can be fixed into position to prevent this. It generally takes them 2-3 weeks to start getting comfortable in a new environment. It's definitely good to interact with them and get close to get them (putting your arm in the cage is good) more familiar with you. Offering treats is always a good way to make friends. Eventually they will come up to your hand and may perch there, but don't be surprised if it takes a month or so. I hope that helps and all is well with your new Budgies.

It may take time and patience. You can begin by simply sitting next to the cage for short periods of time initially and increasing it as they acclimate. They will flutter about and move to the far side of the cage at first. Eventually, they will settle down and accept your presence. Move slowly and speak softly around the cage. Once they have completely acclimated, you can progress to placing your hand in the cage. Make no attempt to touch or hold them. Again, they will flutter, panic and move to the far side of the cage. Leave your hand inside the cage for ever increasing periods of time. Use small treats as rewards after each session. Eventually, they will become curious and may hop onto your hand if you have treats. You can teach the 'step up' command by extending a finger and gently pressing it against the chest while saying "Perch" or "Step up". From this point, you can work with them to teach additional tricks or whistles.

Thanks for your question about the birds in your household. You are correct in being concerned about bonding with your bird if there is another in the house - sometimes it is more common for the birds to bond with one another than with the humans present in the household. This can be especially true with more shy species, like budgies. I would recommend using positive reinforcement for both of the birds to continue the bonding process that you have started. You can find treats that the birds like and reward them for allowing you to come near them, having them step on your fingers, etc. I would say that your sister should also be doing the same, as that will get them used to multiple people handling and interacting with them. I hope this gives you a place to start, and congratulations on your new family members!

Time, patience, and lots of treats. If you notice Curio has a favorite food, you can start by offering that favorite food only when you're interacting with him. IE, when you pet him, approach his cage, let him out, etc. This can help him to associate you with something fun/good and also make him more curious every time you come by to spend time with him. The same can also be done with toys he likes to play with. Sitting near them when he's out of the cage playing, and feeding a treat every time he comes close or shows interest in you can help teach him that you are safe to interact with and play around. If at any time Curiou becomes nervous or scared, stopping the activity and letting him calm down is best. From there, you can go back to the previous way he was OK with (IE just giving a treat from your hand but not petting) and work again from there.

Thanks for reaching out. It is doubtful that clipped or unclipped flight feathers are the cause of lack of bonding. Winning them over with trust is the key. Presenting treats, that they can not acquire in the cage might help. Presenting toys to play with could also benefit. Not all birds tame down and socialize with humans, but be persistent with the interactions. good luck.

Two weeks is still a very short time for a bird to be with a new owner, and it can take months sometimes before a bird will start to bond with you. I would keep trying to be patient with Pearla, and give her more time to settle in and get used to you. If she has a favorite treat, you can offer it each time you come by to visit to help her get used to you, and if she becomes scared or stressed, take a break and try again later. Don't try to force the interaction until she is ready. If your other bird is getting used to you more quickly, it may also help Pearla with getting used to you if she sees the other bird trusts you too.