New Member! Baby Parakeet Advice ?

[uparounddown]

Hi, I’m a bit of a new bird owner, I only got my parakeet six months ago, Her name is Adaline and she isnt yet 1, I’m not sure how old she is exactly but she was very young when I got her. I’m getting a bit concerned about her recent behavior because she has always been very friendly and open to human interaction after settling in. This has changed recently as now she will barely let you pet her (she used to love head pets) and if you stick your hand in the cage she’ll just nibble at it (since she’s a baby she tends to nibble on nails and such) and shy away from any pets and act almost scared, but then if I put my hand out flat near her perch she’ll jump on it and walk all around intensely nibbling my nails and isnt scared or anything and still comes up to me when I come near her cage (occasionally she lets me pet her but it’s very reluctant and not at all how she used to enjoy it or act) and nothing about her diet or chirping has changed. What concerns me more is that today my dad stuck his finger into her cage as usual to pet her since he’s pretty friendly with her and she actually bit him despite letting him pet her fine earlier. (He didn’t do anything to provoke her just put his finger through the bars of her cage near her head like normal) I’m not sure if this is normal? Or maybe just a phase or playing? If it helps she’s been on a bit of a terrible sleep schedule lately so I’m unsure if that may be causing it? its been a few days since this first started as well, But I joined to seek advice about this behavior ! If anyone can help that would be great! :01:

 

[Flboy]

Hi and welcome!

 

[fiddlejen]

... I?m not sure if this is normal? Or maybe just a phase or playing? If it helps she?s been on a bit of a terrible sleep schedule lately so I?m unsure if that may be causing it? its been a few days since this first started as well, ....

Welcome to the forum, you will find a lot of great advice here.

Regarding your budgie, changes to sleep schedule can absolutely change your bird's behavior. They are a lot like humans in this respect -- think about how people can get really grumpy if they don't get enough sleep, and, just changing our own sleep times can cause us to sleep poorly.

There are lots of other possibilities of course, especially since your budgie is progressing from juvenile to adult. I definitely witnessed changes in my budgies' interactions with each other as they reached that age. The more docile of my two did become more likely to express her opinions / displeasure to the other (by nipping).

But, from what you've mentioned, my first guess would be that the sleep disruption is the most likely direct cause of the grumpiness you're describing.

 

[Scott]

Welcome to you and Adaline, thanks for joining!

I'm not familiar with parakeets but suspect advice above covers all bases. High likelihood of Adaline entering puberty. May be rough for a while, keep loving and supporting her and watch for gradual improvement.

 

[uparounddown]

thank you all for your advice and kind welcomes ! I will keep monitoring her and try to get her sleep schedule back to normal to see if that helps !

 

[GaleriaGila]

Hello, and welcome. I'm so glad you're here.

Most of us swear by our avian vets in the event of health concerns.
Certified Avian Vets
https://abvp.com/animal-owners/find-an-abvp-specialist/
If none are near you...
Avian Veterinarians
http://www.aav.org/search/custom.asp?id=1803
In my opinion, any of the vets listed here should be better than a regular vet.

Also... here's a great thread from one of our budgie-whisperers.
http://www.parrotforums.com/budgies-parakeets/72068-taming-bonding-budgerigars-tips-beginners.html

Stick with us. We love active, caring new members.