New Bird... nervous about plucking

pycthedragon

New member
Jun 13, 2014
136
1
michigan
Parrots
Cream, Cookie and Baby, peach faced lovebirds
I just got a new peachfaced lovie, he's a sweetheart and very cute, but I'm not used to lovebird behaviour. I notice that he preens a lot and ignores most of his toys. He's not a baby, he's 2 years old. He's by himself. I'm around him usually for about 3 hours a day, talking and making other noises, and I try to get a minimum of at least 30 minutes of talking directly to him. I don't think he's fully acclimated to the cage yet. He doesn't seem deathly afraid of me and seems to show excitement when I enter but he keeps his distance if I accidentally get too close.

The cage is about 3 feet long by 18 inches wide by about 2 feet tall (there are some 8 inch "crowns" so to speak as well). So his cage is big enough. But I put in some toys and a forager and he hasn't touched anything except his food and water.

Is this normal? I just don't want my birdie to hurt himself...
 

Allee

Well-known member
Oct 27, 2013
16,852
Media
2
212
Texas
Parrots
U2-Poppy(Poppy lives with her new mommy, Misty now) CAG-Jack, YNA, Bingo, Budgie-Piper, Cockatiel-Sweet Pea Quakers-Harry, Sammy, Wilson ***Zeke (quaker) Twinkle (budgie) forever in our hearts
Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your peach faced lovebird. When you say you just got him, do you mean you just brought him home? If so, it is normal for a relocated bird to be cautious about new people and his new surroundings. He will need time to adjust. Some birds will preen themselves when they are a little nervous with a new situation, that isn't the same as plucking. Talking to your new baby in a soft voice and approaching him carefully for the first few days will help him relax in his new home and give you a chance to get to know him. As long as he is eating, drinking and appears healthy it sounds like you are on the right track. Sometimes it takes parrots a while to befriend new toys. We would love to see photos.
 

Terry57

Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Nov 6, 2013
47,514
Media
47
Albums
13
38,717
Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada
Parrots
Hawkhead(Darwin),YCA(Dexter),VE (Ekko),OWA(Slater),BHP(Talli),DYH(Calypso),RLA(Kimera),Alex(Xander)CBC(Phoe),IRN (Kodee,Luna,Stevie),WCP (Pisces),CAG(Justice)GCC (Jax), GSC2(Charley)
Hello and welcome!
Since Allee gave you really great advice, I just wanted to say I am happy you joined us and I would also love to see pictures!
 
OP
pycthedragon

pycthedragon

New member
Jun 13, 2014
136
1
michigan
Parrots
Cream, Cookie and Baby, peach faced lovebirds
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #5
Here's an image of him chilling out on the top of the cage

Thanks for easing my senses a bit. I'm a bit traumatized from my first experience of bringing a pet bird home - a few months ago I made the poor decision of buying a budgie from Petsmart, and it died in 4 days! Then I got another one and it died quickly too! Turns out they had to recall them due to an illness, poor things. I got some zebra finches a few months later (this time from a different store) to make sure I didn't have the touch of death, and they've been fine. I picked up my peachy just this Tuesday from a local petstore recommended from a friend (He has an African Grey that's now 16 years old!).

He seems to be a happy bird, but still nervous. It's good to know his nervous preening is normal.

This morning I noticed him using the water bottle as opposed to the bowl, which is good. He loves to POOP in the bowl and I use it as a last resort water source if he couldn't figure out the water bowl. Phew. I also noticed him checking out one of his toys, but not playing with it. Investigating it. It was pretty cute.
 
Last edited:

Allee

Well-known member
Oct 27, 2013
16,852
Media
2
212
Texas
Parrots
U2-Poppy(Poppy lives with her new mommy, Misty now) CAG-Jack, YNA, Bingo, Budgie-Piper, Cockatiel-Sweet Pea Quakers-Harry, Sammy, Wilson ***Zeke (quaker) Twinkle (budgie) forever in our hearts
Thanks for the pic, he's beautiful. Have you named him?
 
OP
pycthedragon

pycthedragon

New member
Jun 13, 2014
136
1
michigan
Parrots
Cream, Cookie and Baby, peach faced lovebirds
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #7
I'm kind of leaning on the name "Cream" but I'm not sure yet. He looks like a dessert lol
 

Lovie

New member
Feb 8, 2014
135
0
America~
Parrots
Birdie, my Lutino lovebird.
What an adorable lovebird! I'm so sorry to hear about your other unfortunate experiences, but I'm looking forward to hearing more stories about possibly-Cream. :)
 
OP
pycthedragon

pycthedragon

New member
Jun 13, 2014
136
1
michigan
Parrots
Cream, Cookie and Baby, peach faced lovebirds
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #9
Thank you, he's a real sweetheart. He's usually very quiet unless I'm in the room, then he gets super excited and makes a bunch of noises. I think he likes my attention, just not sure about getting too close I guess! lol
 
OP
pycthedragon

pycthedragon

New member
Jun 13, 2014
136
1
michigan
Parrots
Cream, Cookie and Baby, peach faced lovebirds
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #10
Update. He seems to be calming down a lot. He's usually chirping away and climbing around the cage. Still hasn't touched any of his toys but he does check them out. He seems to sometimes show interest in a box I placed at the bottom of the cage as well (a little empty poptarts box). He is eating and drinking and being cute as can be. After a good chirping session he puffs up and dozes off for a bit. He seems to be getting calmer around me.

Hopefully by next week he'll be acclimated enough so that I can start taming him a bit. He is getting more familiar with my fingers, but still shows some nervousness.

When he's active he sure is full of energy! He seems to greet me every time I arrive in the room and gets excited, but he's still cautious. I think this is definitely a good sign.
 

Allee

Well-known member
Oct 27, 2013
16,852
Media
2
212
Texas
Parrots
U2-Poppy(Poppy lives with her new mommy, Misty now) CAG-Jack, YNA, Bingo, Budgie-Piper, Cockatiel-Sweet Pea Quakers-Harry, Sammy, Wilson ***Zeke (quaker) Twinkle (budgie) forever in our hearts
Sounds like a very good sign. Enjoy getting to know him.
 
OP
pycthedragon

pycthedragon

New member
Jun 13, 2014
136
1
michigan
Parrots
Cream, Cookie and Baby, peach faced lovebirds
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #12
oh my goodness he's so cute. [ame=http://youtu.be/YUR4dgThVQM]here's a video of him trying to take a nap![/ame] He only slept for like 5 minutes though, then started chirping away again. Kinda makes me wonder what's the point in a 5 minute nap lol.
 
OP
pycthedragon

pycthedragon

New member
Jun 13, 2014
136
1
michigan
Parrots
Cream, Cookie and Baby, peach faced lovebirds
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #13
I'm nervous again, when I get home he runs around like he's completely restless. Still not tame yet, still afraid of my arm. I lay my arm on his cage so he gets a bit more acclimated to it but he's still scared of it and sometimes tries to nip at it. Is he getting overly bored? Sometimes I let him out of the cage (he's clipped) and he doesn't seem to do much though. He climbs on the top of the computer or the cage, but the cage is bad because he has trouble balancing (it's oddly shaped, he doesn't have any problems inside the cage). I just wanna make sure this is normal.

[ame=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmAjTfN1oAY]Here's a video of him jumping out... (he's watching something with some swearing in it, be warned)[/ame]
 
Last edited:

Lovie

New member
Feb 8, 2014
135
0
America~
Parrots
Birdie, my Lutino lovebird.
Hmm, well, it might not be boredom. Birds can be a little strange sometimes. :) My Birdie just likes hanging outside the cage. Birdie will do anything to get out and just wander around all day.

If you really are worried about boredom, you could get different toys. Maybe try one with a bell? Not a jingle bell, but one with a clapper that isn't small enough to be able to be swallowed.

By the way, your videos... so adorable. :) I love his little squeaks.
 
OP
pycthedragon

pycthedragon

New member
Jun 13, 2014
136
1
michigan
Parrots
Cream, Cookie and Baby, peach faced lovebirds
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #15
Probably. I had a toy that I removed from the first day he was there because he was freaking out, and I put it back in there. He started to play with it yesterday! It was really cute.
 

Lovie

New member
Feb 8, 2014
135
0
America~
Parrots
Birdie, my Lutino lovebird.
Aww, how sweet. :) Keep giving updates when you can. I enjoy hearing them. :D
 
OP
pycthedragon

pycthedragon

New member
Jun 13, 2014
136
1
michigan
Parrots
Cream, Cookie and Baby, peach faced lovebirds
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #17
Ugh, I think I hit a setback. He came out of his cage but he was at a dangerous place (at a height with wires and electronics) and I caught him with my blanket, and it took two tries but I got him in the cage again. Now I think he's scared of me... what should I do to repair our friendship?
 

Lovie

New member
Feb 8, 2014
135
0
America~
Parrots
Birdie, my Lutino lovebird.
Well, I know some people say birds never forget so you have to be careful.. but I don't know. I've made a lot of mistakes, but Birdie always forgives me. I doubt your bird is mad at you, but you can:
a. give a couple of treats.
b. give it some out-of-cage time.
c. play with it or pet it. :)
 
OP
pycthedragon

pycthedragon

New member
Jun 13, 2014
136
1
michigan
Parrots
Cream, Cookie and Baby, peach faced lovebirds
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #19
Today I gave him some millet in my hand. He's afraid of my hand, but seems okay with my face. He was cautious but did want to eat it. I scared the poor little dude yesterday and I feel pretty guilty about it. I think if I keep trying with this and other treats he'll be a bit more comfortable.

EDIT: I did let him come out today but he seemed nervous of my hands. He seems neutral about my face. He loves my computer though...

tumblr_n7kpgbjDto1rabsv4o2_1280.jpg

tumblr_n7kpgbjDto1rabsv4o3_1280.jpg

tumblr_n7kpgbjDto1rabsv4o1_1280.jpg
 
Last edited:

Allee

Well-known member
Oct 27, 2013
16,852
Media
2
212
Texas
Parrots
U2-Poppy(Poppy lives with her new mommy, Misty now) CAG-Jack, YNA, Bingo, Budgie-Piper, Cockatiel-Sweet Pea Quakers-Harry, Sammy, Wilson ***Zeke (quaker) Twinkle (budgie) forever in our hearts
Hi there, thanks for the pics of your lovely little friend! Have you given him a name?

I'm nervous again, when I get home he runs around like he's completely restless. Still not tame yet, still afraid of my arm. I lay my arm on his cage so he gets a bit more acclimated to it but he's still scared of it and sometimes tries to nip at it. Is he getting overly bored? Sometimes I let him out of the cage (he's clipped) and he doesn't seem to do much though. He climbs on the top of the computer or the cage, but the cage is bad because he has trouble balancing (it's oddly shaped, he doesn't have any problems inside the cage). I just wanna make sure this is normal.

If you are nervous around your bird, your bird will pick up on it immediately, try to make a habit of interacting with your bird when you are calm, approach him like you would approach a baby deer. It takes time to get to know a new companion, it's normal for him to be suspicious at first. Instead of "taming" him think of it as befriending him. :) Provide toys and a variety of perches for him but I don't think you need to worry about boredom yet.
When I am away for even a short time, when I return to the bird room, I am always greeted like a lost flock member. I think your baby is just happy and excited to see you.

There are moments when a bird will get himself into a dangerous place and need to be rescued. Lovebirds are small and fragile, instead of a blanket, keep a small, soft folded hand towel handy and only use it in emergency situations. If you must use a towel, do it as gently as possible so he won't develop an unreasonable fear of the towel in the future.

A towel on top of his cage will be easier for him to walk on than the cage wires. There are very cute table top play stands for the little guys, and they come in handy for time outside the cage.

Looking forward to updates and more adorable pics.
 

Most Reactions

Latest posts

Top