Lesson 3: First Days With Your Budgie

🐥 Welcome to Lesson 3!

Bringing your new budgie home is a magical moment — but it can also be a little scary for them. Imagine suddenly being in a whole new place with new sights, sounds, and people! This lesson is all about making those first 7 days peaceful and positive so your budgie can begin to trust you and feel safe.

✅ What You’ll Learn:

• What to expect the first few days

• How to reduce stress during the adjustment period

• What to do (and not do!) when interacting

• Signs your budgie is settling in

• When to start handling and bonding

📦 Day 1: Bringing Your Budgie Home

Here’s how to make your budgie’s arrival as smooth as possible:

• 🕊 Transport safely: Use a travel cage or box. Avoid loud music or bumps.

• 🏠 Place them in their prepared cage immediately once home.

• 😌 No touching, no loud sounds. Let them quietly observe their new space.

Pro Tip: Cover the sides of the cage (not the front) with a light cloth to help them feel secure.

📆 Days 2–3: Observation Mode

Let your budgie rest, eat, and get used to their surroundings:

• Speak to them softly when you pass by

• Sit near the cage calmly so they get used to your presence

• Keep their routine consistent — food at the same time, lights off at night

• Offer leafy greens clipped to the bars to encourage curiosity 🌿

🛑 Don’t try to handle them or reach into the cage unless necessary (like for food or water).

🕵️‍♀️ What to Expect (Totally Normal!)

• Sitting quietly on a perch

• Puffing up a little

• Reluctant to eat in front of you

• Fluttering away from your hand

• Staring at you from a distance 👀

All of this is normal behavior for a budgie adjusting to a new home.

💛 Days 4–7: Building Gentle Trust

Once your budgie seems calm and active during the day:

• Begin spending more time by the cage, reading or talking softly

• Try offering millet through the bars

• Slowly introduce your hand inside the cage — no sudden moves

• Let your budgie come to you on their terms

🧠 Remember: Patience now = faster bonding later.

🛏 Nighttime Tips:

• Budgies need 10–12 hours of sleep each night

• Cover their cage with a breathable cloth to block out light and movement

• Avoid sudden loud sounds or light changes at night

• Budgies may startle — this is called a night fright — so keep a soft light on nearby if needed

🐤 When to Start Training?

Don’t rush it! Start gentle step-up or millet-hand-feeding training after 1–2 weeks, depending on their comfort. Every budgie is different!

Signs your budgie is ready to start bonding:

• Eating comfortably in front of you

• Moving around the cage with ease

• Chirping, exploring toys

• Watching you without fear

📝 Quick Checklist: Settling In Success

• Cage is clean and ready

• Room is quiet and peaceful

• You’re speaking gently every day

• Budgie is eating and moving comfortably

• You’re giving them space and time to adjust

🎉 Great work — you’re doing it right!

The first few days are all about building trust, safety, and comfort. Soon, your budgie will start showing their personality, and that’s when the fun really begins.

Next up, we’ll dive into understanding budgie body language and communication — so you can read your budgie like a pro 🧐🪶