Is my parakeet bored?

Question
Hi...I have a male parakeet (Jack).  I am the third owner and I believe he is about 2 yrs old.  I have him near a window for good lighting, (I have a basement apt.) I noticed that he is only on the top perches and never on the bottom of the cage where some of his toys are.  Sometimes when I approach the the cage and he is on the top perch which runs the width of the cage (about 18").  He runs back and forth for a long time.  I don't know if he is excited to see me or anxious and nervous.  Sometimes he does when no one is near the cage.  Sometimes he pays attention to me and other times he just looks out the window with his back to me.  When I got him he wouldn't even let me put my hand in the cage but now I can without him freaking out and flying crazy around the cage.  I've had him for about 4 months and the previous owners had 2 boys who would scare the bird.  I'm trying to undo the damage from his previous home.
So do you think the repetitive running back and forth on his perch is his excitement or he's just a neurotic bird?

Thanks,
Cathy

Answer
Hi Cathy,

Although I can't see him do this, it is probably nervousness. (That would be my assumption anyways). He is probably looking for a way to escape, or an exit to get away.

And it is typical for birds to spend the majority of their time on the highest perches. In the wild, being up high means safety (birds are safer when they are high up in the trees), so it is normal for birds in captivity to get to the highest point possible in their cage to feel more secure).

Here are some articles that might help you further with your new little budgie:

http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww30eiii.htm

http://www.parrothouse.com/phobicbirds.html

http://www.forthebirdsdvm.com/birdcare.htm

http://www.parrothouse.com/pamelaclark/secondhand.html


I hope this all helps.

-Maggie