A while ago, I adopted a lovely little yellow-face parakeet named Prudence. I'd never had any kind of parrot before, so this is a whole new experience for me! Even though I hadn't really worked with her much, I knew there were times I wouldn't be around for her for a while (work hours) and figured it was more important that she not be lonely for hours at a time, so I got her a friend named Eleanor as well. They get along famously, and only bicker sometimes.

I've had them for about a month now, and while I've made some progress, it's pretty slow. They are getting to be okay with my hand in the cage - whether just moving something around, or changing food and water. I also offer small bits of millet spray in my hand to encourage them to come near. That's where it's tough, as they're still skittish around my hands with the millet. I still cannot separate them to train individually, as I can't get them to come to me consistently yet.

I haven't tried to catch them or force them or chase them around, and I know that this is a time-consuming process of trust-building, but if there's anything I could do differently or better, I'd certainly love to hear what you have to say!

hi welcome to the forum

separation is a must...or they simply will not want to bond with you or learn from you so thats the first step ...placing each in their own LARGE cage and if possible even into different rooms till both are hand and perch trained then you can bring the CAGES into the same room but not put the birds together...also getting rid of any sort of mirror toys...as these are things they will take more of a interest in than you..

also she didnt need a playmate to keep her from being lonely at all...leaving a radio and plenty of toys she would of been fine till you got home...

to catch one up...focus on one bird placing your hand above their head and this will automatically make them or one go low to the bottom of cage where then still doing the same you can force it to a corner where you will be able to quickly grab it.

be prepared for maybe a nip ...

Thank you! I still had a cage only a bit smaller that I used for vet visits, so now it's where Eleanor stays for the time being. They're already doing a bit better.

I tried the perch step a while ago, as they'd been okay with my hands, but the perch scared the living bajeezus out of them. Hopefully next time it won't be so scary!

I'll give them a few days to adjust and then start work with them again.

always when doing a change do one thing at a time and let them adjust and move veryyyyyy slowly...not rushing or pushing or forcing in anyway...and like i said remove any mirror toys for sure ...cage should be a good size not a small one...need plenty of room for a COUPLE of different food cups toys ..a swing etc.

and then still plenty of room for them to move around.

Thank you so much! Already a lot of improvement.

welllllll we are really glad to hear that for sure and continued success

Sounds like your working at it but they need different cages, plus I didn't catch if they are male and female. But training will be much easier when they in two cages. Good luck!

I just adopted two parakeets that are about a year old.They are quite an attached little pair. SO Sweet! I have their cage in front of a very large mirror. Is this ok or should I move the cage. It is kind of disturbing for me, so i can only imagine how they feel.My goal is just to make them feel secure,since they are adjusting to another new home. I'm not pushing interaction just yet,... other then offering an occassional treat.I'm really just concerned about the reflection issue.

please read above post for your answers and they should also be separated into TWO DIFFERENT CAGES of adequate size.

also let me welcome you to the forum