Small bird in a small box

Ezrielle

New member
Jun 3, 2014
4
0
Glendale CA
Parrots
1 dutch blue lovebird
so a few months ago a friend told my mother that a friend of hers had a love bird that he wanted to get rid of ASAP. I thought I would take her with the intention of giving her to a friend of mine. my mother went to pick her up, when she got there the guy carelessly handed her a small shoe box. Inside was a small four month old terrified Dutch Blue lovebird. needless to say when I saw her I fell in love with her. I decided to make her my class pet. Now 3 months later she is healthy and happy, and while she is the best class pet, she is not the ideal pet for me. In the classroom she is awesome. the kids pick her up and pet her she actually flies down to the floor during playtime to be with the kids. It seems it is just me she hates. She runs from me if I try to pick her up, she bites me and shrieks at me. Despite all this I take her out everyday and try to play with her I even take her home on the weekends make sure I spend time with her then. I try to bribe her with treats that she will not eat, but she eats out of the childrens hands. I can get her to perch on my finger and step up 2 or 3 times before she bites me then flaps to the floor and runs away.
What can I do to make her like me?
 
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Lovie

New member
Feb 8, 2014
135
0
America~
Parrots
Birdie, my Lutino lovebird.
I've been waiting for someone else to come because I don't know much about taming, but I'll try my best (and maybe someone else will see this soon).

First of all, what sort of cage is she in? How big is it, and where (in your house) is it?
Lovebirds need lots of space, especially when they're flighted. The minimum cage size is about 18x18x18 inches, but they'd love to have even more. If the cage is in a really busy place, that can cause overstimulation and screaming. If it's in an isolated space, that can cause screaming and depression.

Secondly, how do you react when she bites you?
Lots of owners accidentally reinforce this behavior by dropping the bird, being afraid of it, yelling back (which I doubt you do), and drawing back. When she bites, just say, "No." Say it firmly. If this doesn't seem to be working, put her back in a cage or in a little isolated space and walk away. Don't come back for a little while, and definitely don't come back if she's still screaming.

When you say you bribe her, what do you mean? What sorts of treats?
Birds tend to love treats such as millet and sunflower seeds. And I don't think you do this, but some owners will offer food when the bird bites to try to distract it. This is reinforcing the behavior.

In terms of getting her to trust you...
Birds--and other animals--sense positive and negative energy. Make sure you always approach the cage when you're happy, and don't ever rush your bird. Smile at her and talk to her when she's in the cage. When you take her out, do so slowly, talking quietly the whole time.

Well, I hope at least some of this helped you. I really respect you for saving the bird. :)
 
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Ezrielle

Ezrielle

New member
Jun 3, 2014
4
0
Glendale CA
Parrots
1 dutch blue lovebird
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Her cage is taller than it is wide it's about 20' inches wide and a little taller than my head when it's on the cart it came with. In my classroom she is against a wall by meat desk when we are in the class the cage is always open. She is clipped so she just makes short flights.
When she bites me I push ( not too hard) with my finger and say no. And I always say good girls when she does let me pick her up.
The thing is she doesn't bite the kids, just nibbled, she lets them pet, hold, and just about anything. But when I do the same things she shrieks and bites.
She will eat popcorn millet and her pellets from the kids hands. If I offer she bites my finger.
She really is the best class pet. But she is a jerk to me I am going to post some more pics of her in my class on my profile
 
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Ezrielle

Ezrielle

New member
Jun 3, 2014
4
0
Glendale CA
Parrots
1 dutch blue lovebird
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #4
Learning to be held: [ame="http://youtu.be/Dy14Bvdi7Uo"]YouTube[/ame]
 

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