Budgies: Is this normal?

Question
Hi!
No, I have not yet taken Charlie to the vet. He is being a lot more active but he's still really shy. I bought him a bath today though so I hope he enjoys that.
How do you suggest that I hand tame him? I'm sure you've tamed even the toughest of birds. I've read so many different ways on websites but I wanted to hear your opinion. I would like Charlie to be able to come out on his own and not try to escape from me when I take him out. What do you suggest, and how calm/tame is the average bird at this point? (I've had him for just over a week)
I'll talk to you later Dianna, and thanks again.
-Kaitlyn
-------------------------

Followup To

Question -
Hi Dianna,
Thank you very much for helping me out.
I was told Charlie is between 3 and 6 months old.
As for the blood feathers, how does a bird get them? Or do all birds naturally have them on the inside of each wing? Is there anything I can do to relieve the itching?
I also have another question. I read on a website that budgies fluff up when they're content, but then I read in one of the answers on this site that when birds are fluffed out they are sick. Would a difference in the length of time they are fluffed out be the deciding factor of his condition, or was the other website wrong?
Thanks again for your reply, have a great night!
-Kaitlyn
-------------------------

Followup To

Question -
Hi Dianna,
I just bought a standard budgie about a week ago and I was just wondering if it's normal for it to be sitting on the same perch all day and to not make any noise.
Also, he has little tiny feathers sticking up on the top of his head. What is that?
Charlie also tends to open his wings a lot and use his claws to rub two identical red dots on the inside of either wing. I was hoping you could tell me what these are. Thanks for your time.

Answer -
Hello Kaitlyn and thank you for your question.

Do you know the age of your budgie?  It could still be getting used to it's new environment.  He will probably perk up in a couple of days.

As far as the feathers sticking up on his head, there is nothing to worry about.  It is pin feathers, and it's normal for this time of year.

The red sopts under his wings might be blood feathers, and they probably itch him.  Keep a watch on his scracching them as he might break one.  
A blood feather has blood in the shaft of the feather, and if it gets broken, the feather acts like a straw and the bird can bleed to death.
If he does break one of the feathers that has blood in it, that feather needs to be plucked out right away.

I hope this answered your questions.

Good luck and God Bless.
Dianna

Answer -
Hello Kaitlyn.
All birds have blood feathers.  it is not uncommon for a feather that is full of blood to emerge, rest assured, the feather will eventually coagulate.
As for the itching, you could use a light mist of water and spray the bird.  They do love it, also, try putting a small bath in his cage, or let him play in a sink with a little bit of room temperature water.  This might help reduce the itching.  If the itching continues for longer than about 2 weeks, then take him into an avian vet.  They may have something that'll help.

While it is true that when a bird is sick, it will have it's feathers puffed out, it is also true that when a budgie is conent, it will puff it's feathers up to. One way to tell if your bird is sick is to watch and see if the bird stays on the floor of the cage for a good amount of time.  A sick bird will not want to fly because of the lack of energy that it has.  A sick bird will also usually not eat like it normally should, and it won't be as active as it should be.

I hope that Charlie is a little more vocal and active.  If not, then you might want to take him into the vet(I was just reading through our past couple of posts).

Please keep me informed on the progress of your little friend.

Good luck and God Bless.
Dianna


Follow Up---
Hi Kaitlyn.  I was just wondering how Charlie is doing and if you've had a chance to get him into the vet.  If you have, I am curious to know what the vet had to say.

Dianna

Answer
Hello Kaitlyn,
It will still take some time for him to get used to you.  Was he a hand fed baby?  If so, he will be pretty much used to being handled, if he wasn't, it will be more difficult.
Start out by limiting his food supply.  The best way to hand tame a bird is to make it come to you for it's food.  Of course, keep just a little bit of food in his cage, but use the rest of it to make him come to you.
If you keep repeating this, he will soon learn that you have good stuff and will want to come to you for it.  Remember that birds really know eating, breeding, and sleeping.
I have a 10 year old cockatiel that was unsocialized and neglected for 7 years.  When I first got her, she was in a parakeet cage and extremely afraid of people.  When I put her into a cockatiel cage, she would go to the back corner of her cage when I'd walk past.  It has taken almost 3 years, but she will now step up when I am holding her food dish and she rides on my shoulder while I am feeding the other birds.  Then I will put her back into her cage and let her eat.  She now gives kisses, and loves to do so.
Another thing to remember, parrots are social animals, and I spend alot of time every day talking to my animals(I have 3 cockatiels, an Amzon Parrot and a guinea pig).  
Just keep working with him, talking to him, and feed him from your hand.  He will be fine and you two soon will make a bond that will be hard to break.

Good luck and God Bless.
Dianna