First-time bird owner in Richmond Hill — help!

Hi all! I just adopted a budgie and I'm already head over heels but also completely overwhelmed. So many questions: what pellets do you recommend? How do I know if they're sick? Is it normal for them to sneeze? How do I get them to trust me? I've been googling non-stop but real owner experiences are worth way more. Thanks in advance for any guidance!

Welcome! I remember being a new bird owner and this kind of community helped SO much. Excited to have you!

Nice to meet you! Always great to connect with fellow bird owners. You're going to fit right in here!

Welcome!! Looking forward to hearing more about your feathered friend. Don't be shy about asking questions!

Following up on my earlier comment — I tried what you suggested and it actually worked! My lovebird is doing so much better. Thank you!

So I had this exact problem about a year ago. Let me share what I learned. The key thing is putting treats inside paper cups, folded paper, or tissue for foraging. A lot of people also recommend reading "The Parrot Problem Solver" by Barbara Heidenreich. My avian vet in downtown Toronto also suggested checking for a subtle environmental change you might not even notice which can sometimes be an underlying factor. Good luck — feel free to DM me if you have questions!

Interesting take! I see your point but I've had a completely different experience. My lovebird actually...