I mentioned recently that I have been appreciating the budgies more, and wanting to have more of a relationship with them. They have been kept inside their nice big vision cage for more than a year. There was a very occasional outing, but not very successful.

For the last few days, I have been sitting by the cage and giving Piper an occasional treat (a very small piece of a hulled sunflower seed). This has been going well, so I left the cage door open to see if he would come out. He didn't, but he looked like he wanted to. So, I slowly put my finger up to him, and HE STEPPED UP! Very gently, I took him out of the cage. He sat on my finger and chattered to me for several minutes. I was very happy.

Then, he flew over to the cockatiels' cage and spent some time there. At bedtime, I got the cockatiels into their cage. Then I tried again with the finger. I brought it over to Piper, and he stepped up again! And, I was able to get him back into his cage on the second try.

At this point, Winter is quite a wild little girl, who I don't think has ever stepped up in her life (Piper did a little, more than a year ago). She is going to take more time. She doesn't even take a treat from me yet, but I think I can find a way.

My 2 budgies are now semi tame...
Sparkle would step up, but once he got with Bryni who doesn't like people, he wouldn't have anything to do with me... I do everything with hand signals... as long as they go into their cage ,with me pointing and saying home boys, Im quite happy

Make sure that Winter can see you when you're interacting with Piper - she might learn from his example!

Here is an update on Piper:

I had him out of the cage again last night. He went right over to the cockatiel cage and started stalking Emma. Winter came out after a while and went over there too. However, Piper was more interested in Emma. Winter and Silver have a rather frosty relationship. They open beak each other, but nothing serious.

It wasn't too bad getting them all back into their cages. Piper will step up quite readily, but if he doesn't like where I am taking him (away from the cockatiel cage), he just flies off. But, after a few tries he cooperated. Winter went back in on her own before Piper did.

Right now, they are all in their own cages and Piper is dancing and sweet talking to Winter.

Spring is on the way so they're probably getting more hormonal. It'll be interesting to see how their relationships develop.

On the way? Isn't it already here.Mango doesn't want anybody on his swing but him lol.

Spring starts in late March. February is considered to be the dead of winter.

I always thought Spring started in late February there has been sunny and rainy days here lately.