by Nadine Arber
INTRODUCTION
The Budgerigar is one of Australia’s biggest success stories. It was during the 1840’s that the melodious little bird flew its way into the international spotlight and has since become the world’s most popular caged bird. For many it is a pet, for others it is an industry but for the majority, it is a new family member.
Animal behaviours are often displayed for a particular reason, whether it is boredom, fear or excitement. These behaviours can be ‘translated’ and developed into a form of communication between pet and owner and used to assist in that animal’s training. The budgerigar is no exception to this concept. Their natural instincts to mimic and strong need for companionship make them excellent pets to train.
This report outlines some of the behaviours displayed by pet budgerigars and the possible ways to interpret this body language and apply this knowledge to budgerigar training. In this article, ‘training’ does not refer to performance tricks; rather it means advantageous commands (such as "up" and "down") and a better understanding between pet and owner. (Spencer, 1993; Watmough, 1984)
WHY OBSERVE BEHAVIOUR?
Animals predominantly communicate with each other using body language and gestures. The various signals given by animals of many species often have significant meanings and their interpretation usually decides the fate of that animal. Much of the linguistic behaviours displayed by animals occur during confrontation or a meeting between two strangers. This is one of the many reasons why it is important for us, as animals and animal keepers, to correctly interpret and respond to animal behaviours.
Sickness and discomfort are also stimulants to animal behaviour. An animal will behave in a certain way and may even adopt new mannerisms if they are not happy or healthy in their present environment. So-called "stereotypic" behaviours are such an example. These are noted as behaviours that are repeated continuously and are a good indication that the animal is bored and requires more mental or physical stimulation in their environment. By observing animal behaviours, we are able to better understand their way of living. Thus, we can alter the environment in which we keep them, to improve the health and well being of that animal. (Tribe, 2001)
PET BUDGIE BEHAVIOURS AND INFULENTIAL FACTORS
The most common influences of pet budgie behaviour are the presence or absence of other budgies, the size of the cage and the level of interaction between pet and owner. The more budgies present in a cage, the more ‘typical’ budgie behaviours are noticed, such as mutual grooming, vocalisations and courting behaviours.
The more space a budgie has to move in also affects its behaviours. A smaller cage usually provides less interaction for budgies and they will get bored easily. Boredom in animals promotes ‘stereotypic’ behaviours such as pacing and gnawing, and the same applies to budgies. Keeping a budgie interested is easy and a toy will entertain for hours. Even a new sprig of parsley will be a great amusement.
Interaction between budgie and owner is also very influential to their behaviour. When a budgie is purchased, it is usually pre-decided upon if the budgie is going to be just an ornamental pet or a new addition to the family. Budgies are highly social animals and require attention in any shape or form. If a single budgie is purchased it is likely that the family expects to interact with the budgie more and behaviours such as playing and vocalisations will be observed more frequently than an ornamental pet.
(Spencer, 1993; Watmough, 1984; Tribe, 2001)
Typical Behaviours
- Grooming- Self and Mutual - important social bonding (even with owner)
- Biting and Gnawing- either other budgies or a stick; demonstrates dominance; trims beak. Females will chew wood as an instinct to create a suitable nesting site
- Chattering or Soft Vocalisations- communication between budgies and ‘competing’ with louder sounds, such as a radio or vacuum cleaner.
- Feathers Puffed- content, happy; comfortable in the environment.
- Sleeping or Resting- often on one leg and sometimes with head behind wing.
- Nibbling- at a toy or necklace; comes from the instinct to find seeds and nibble.
- Flapping without Flying- shown when excited; creates noise, movement.
- Bathing- although it is a natural instinct, many budgies will just do it for the fun of getting wet and being allowed to make a mess.
- Chattering or Soft Vocalisations- usually from the male to win over the female.
- "Making Eyes" and Head Bobbing- the male’s pupils dilate and crest will rise; head bobbing precedes regurgitation.
- Regurgitation- male feeds seed to female; demonstrates fathering ability.
- Feathers Puffed- male will usually puff up to increase his size, again to impress.
- Biting- self-defense, usually fairly hard.
- Open Beak =>Head Up- attacking gesture; dominant and willing to prove it.
- Head Lowered- defense gesture; scared but standing ground.
- Squeaking- annoyance; warning sound before a strike or bite.
- Loud and Screeching Vocalisations- warning to others, cry for help; distress.
- Wings Held off Body/Panting- stress or overheating sign; scared and/or hot.
- Feathers Flat to Body- scared and ready for flight; usually scary object.
Many budgies will display typical behaviours on a day-to-day basis. However, something to remember is that the budgerigar is considered one of the best actors in the animal kingdom. Acting healthy comes naturally to the budgie, a prey animal for just about any predator in Australia. Even their name (derived from the Aboriginal "betcherrigah") means "good to eat". (Spencer, 1993)
So even if a budgerigar is acting healthy, it does not necessarily mean it is healthy. By learning to recognise the behaviours related to stress or ill health, you will notice even the smallest of changes in your pet budgie’s daily regime.
If behaviours become excessive or more intense, it is possible that your budgie is not happy in his/her environment and investigations should be made with your local vet to determine the problem/s.
USING BEHAVIOUR TO AID BUDGIE TRAINING
By observing your budgie’s behaviour, you will start to understand budgie language. You will learn their likes and dislikes, what entertains and interests them and what frightens them. Many people clip their budgie’s wing when they purchase it as a pet with intentions to train it. This, however, is not the best thing to do. Wing clipping disables and disorientates budgies and if an owner wishes to interact with their pet enough to establish trust and improve their pet’s training, wing clipping is unnecessary.
Their strong desire for attention induces some budgies to mimic their owner’s actions, speak human words and even misbehave. Many birds have been known to imitate the sound of splintering wood just to see their owner rush madly into the room and start yelling, much to their delight. Despite your best efforts to discourage the behaviour by yelling, something that humans find confronting, the budgie seems to enjoy it. In fact, they do. (Spencer, 1993; Watmough, 1984; Tribe, 2001)
Repetition and mind games work well to train a budgerigar. Yelling and other forms of human discipline do not work on budgies. Outsmart your budgie by getting to know his/her personality and typical behaviour and use it to your advantage. If you know your budgie hates water for example, you can use a small water pistol to reproach a behaviour you dislike. You can also reward you budgie with a food he loves when he does something right. Training budgerigars is easy to start with, but if you take the time to watch his behaviour and learn his language, it will be even easier.
CONCLUSION
This report outlined some of the behaviours displayed by pet budgerigars and the possible ways to interpret their body language. Provided also were applications of this knowledge to budgerigar training and readers were encouraged to further develop the understanding between pet and owner. Behaviour is the language of animals. Unless we wish to remain ignorant of their needs and desires, we should start listening now.
REFERENCES
About the Author: Nadine Arber is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Applied Science in Animal Studies (Equine and Recreational Animal Management) with the aim of specialising in animal psychology and handling. She dedicates this module to Hero, the budgie who allowed her to explore human-animal communication without words.
- Spencer, Harvey (1993); All About Budgerigars, Dino Video, Parramatta, Australia. [video recording]
- Tribe, Andrew (2001); Lecture Material Viva Voce, ANIM 3005- Advanced Animal Ethology, The University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Australia.
- Watmough, W. (1984); The Cult of the Budgerigar, Nimrod Book Services, Liss, United Kingdom.