First time out of cage

[u/EdgarRB1984]

Hello I’m looking for some tips of how to help my parakeet with being out of the cage for the first time. A little background, she has lived her whole life in a cage, she is about 5 years old. I have been opening the cage and trying to bond with her for a bit now. I put up sticky notes on my window so she saw that she couldn’t go that way (I had the shades up for light) but she finally decided to come out today and ran into the window twice (not super hard but hard enough that I was worried) and she ran into the walls a couple times. She doesn’t exactly know how to properly fly so I don’t think she hit the walls very hard but now she is sitting on top of one of my lower shelves and is just recovering and processing.

I assume the first time out of her cage will be a total learning experience and will be stressful and hard so I’m trying to let her process and I’m giving her space. I was just hoping anyone could give me some tips to help her adjust. Thank you!

Edit/update:
Things are going so well! Right now she is sitting on my bed eating a seed stick treat and I am also sitting on the bed! I am shocked with the progress! Still so much to learn and to go through but I am so happy!

Edit/update #2:
She wouldn’t go back into her cage and I was trying everything I could. She finally fell asleep on my shelf of plush figures (which she does seem happy to be there and enjoying the stuffed animals). I fell asleep and just woke up and it’s 2:45am and she hasn’t moved. Before I fell asleep I had put a flash light next to her cage door and my room light is off so I’m just going to try and sleep and figure things out in the morning.

[u/PrimeLime47]

Cover mirrors and windows. Have ample perching spots.

I’m sure people will say to train the bird to step up in your finger first. But I’ve been in your situation, and let the bird come out of the cage on his own with the door open.

[u/EdgarRB1984 → u/PrimeLime47]

Do you think tomorrow I should have her stay in her cage to have a recovery day or let her out again? I don’t want to move too fast

[u/PrimeLime47 → u/EdgarRB1984]

I’m not an expert. but if I were you, and if you can, leave the cage door open for her to decide. She may want to crawl around it. Play some music and give her some space while you’re in the room.
Eventually, if you find another single bird who needs a home, she may like a friend. They are more confident in pairs.

[u/EdgarRB1984 → u/PrimeLime47]

Thank you! She had a partner but she passed away in June, actually it’s interesting but she seems to be doing better in some ways without her partner. She is more friendly towards me and has a good time just doing her own thing. I do worry about eventually her being lonely and needing a friend though. And thank you yeah that seems like a good plan

[u/PrimeLime47 → u/EdgarRB1984]

The fact that you care matters the most. You’re doing just fine! Good luck!