I cant tell if my budgie hates me.

Question
I think my budgie hates me! He sometimes hops on my hand, but that's only if I chase him around the cage. He's very talkative when the TV is on, but not when it's just me and him. I've had him since a week before christmas (it's the 21st of March), and he's lost some of his stripes. I spend most of my time with him while I'm at home, but I don't put my hand in. Help?

Answer
Hi There,

I don't think all hope is lost on your beloved parakeet. Animals do not harbor feelings of hatred towards us humans. I noticed you claim that he hops on your hand only when you chase him around the cage. It is not uncommon for a bird to be more active and "louder" when no one is in the room. What I would suggest is try giving a break on chasing the little fella around the cage. Buy you some spray millet and everyday hold the spray millet inside of the cage, on one side or the other, and let the bird come towards the spray millet. Let him eat from it for as long as you can stand there. Do this until the bird without hesitation comes towards your spray millet and hand. Gradually shorten the pieces of spray millet until he is basically eating out of your hand.

Just a word of caution, I have owned and still own several parakeets and cockatiel that are just plain cage dominant. Once they leave the cage they are fine, but inside of the cage they will hiss, peck, move away, etc until they get outside of the cage.

Don't rush the bird, force the bird to leave the cage (unless he/she is cage dominant) and offer plenty of spray millet as a lure for the bird to approach your hand.

Best of luck!