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Sometimes my birds will start flapping their wings wildly while standing on their perches. When this happens, I go over to the cage and talk to them so they calm dowm. What does this flapping mean? They are in separate cages but next to each other. I am getting ready to put them together but want to make sure it is a good experience for both of them.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Sounds like exuberant exercising to me. I don't have budgies, but since this forum is pretty quiet, I thought I'd jump in. You've mentioned elsewhere that they don't leave their cages, so I'm presuming they're feeling the need for some exercise.

Since you had to separate them 6 months ago for fighting, it seems wise to reintroduce them outside either bird's cage (territory). Do you have a room in which they might safely spend some out-of-cage time under your supervision? Or could you give them a cage to share in which they could fly even a little? As little as 4' wide would let them take a few flaps and would give each room to stay out of the other's way. The tiny tiny cages too often sold as appropriate for budgies are often the cause for aggression

My best, Paca

Thanks, you've made me feel much better. I thought they might be angry. I have a new cage for them. It measures 35" h x 32" w x 21" d. It's all ready for them, with 2 of everything, including toys. I will introduce them to the new cage together within the next few days when I have plenty of time to play with them. I am so afraid they may fight again.

Any more tips as to how to make this transition successful?

ParrontPlus wrote:... Do you have a room in which they might safely spend some out-of-cage time under your supervision? ...

I've used this method (outside a cage) to introduce most of my pairs. It's never failed me! Also, I've let their first several times in a cage together be brief stays rather than forevermore... or even overnight.

Paca

Paca,

Great advice! Thanks. Is a bathroom too small for them to fly around in? My other rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and other hazards. I really want them to be comfortable leaving the cage for a while each day so they can explore. They seem happy, and are very curious. I juist want them to be safe.

I use to think that only our caged bird did this for exercise. However one day sitting at a stop light I saw a chickadee on a power line do this. We all get a bit wound up and need to blow off a bit of energy, be that jogging in place or doing jumping jacks....for birds it is flapping their wings while staying stationary on a perch.

I can't necessarily say that I've seen wild birds flap their wings in this way unless trying to beg the attention of a parent or their mate...

Of course, as already stated, it's just probably a way to burn off excess energy!