First Time Lovebird Owner...

... With a bunch of possibly silly questions.

But eh. You never ask you never know...

I recently bought two masked lovebirds... At least I think they are, although their dark mask isn't that intense which makes me think they might possibly be hybrids.

My questions are the following:

How long should I leave them alone to settle into their new home? I just got them yesterday and they fear me completely. Skittish but doesn't bite...

When do you recommend I start the taming process?

Also is it normal for them to be so quiet so early in the evening? I get home at 5 or 6-ish around sunset and they're usually quiet. During the day my parents tell me they're being loud and eating but I've yet to see that for myself...

For example, it ate corn today but ignored it when I tried to give it some at 5-ish...

I'm just worried since all they do is snuggle up to each other yet they don't sleep. They just sort of close their eyes but never fully snooze.

That's rambly.... But I hope it represents my primary concerns as a first time owner and the advice I need...

Thanks.

Welcome to the forum!

According to the birds' individual personality and background, it may take weeks before they are calm enough to make real progress with training. It's normal for two young birds to focus on each other more than they focus on humans. Most birds in a brand new environment aren't comfortable enough to eat in front of people. Like your parents said, they are probably chattering and eating while you aren't looking.

A good way to help them build trust is to sit near them and talk in a soft voice or read aloud, they will get accustomed to your voice and learn you mean them no harm. Here's a link on bonding to help you get started.

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

We have a friendly group of lovie owners, I'm sure they will be willing to answer your species specific questions. I think the masked lovebirds are adorable, we'd love to see photos of your new friends. Best of luck.

Welcome!!
Trust me, they are sleeping. Birds have this thing about being eaten, so they are very light sleepers!

I recently bought two masked lovebirds... At least I think they are, although their dark mask isn't that intense which makes me think they might possibly be hybrids.

That's possible because lovebirds are generally prolific breeders, sometimes producing three clutches a year...

My questions are the following:

How long should I leave them alone to settle into their new home? I just got them yesterday and they fear me completely. Skittish but doesn't bite...

You should begin socialization as soon as they are in their new home...

When do you recommend I start the taming process?

As soon as possible, but as you've noted, they seek comfort in each other's company & that may necessitate you separating them & taking them one at a time into a room they are not familiar with for their training...if you don't separate them, I think you'll find it near impossible to train them at all...it's too bad you bought both together, but now would be a good time to begin training.....

Also is it normal for them to be so quiet so early in the evening? I get home at 5 or 6-ish around sunset and they're usually quiet. During the day my parents tell me they're being loud and eating but I've yet to see that for myself...

They see your parents all day, so probably have accepted their presence, but you are gone most of their day, so they're quiet around you.....

For example, it ate corn today but ignored it when I tried to give it some at 5-ish...

I'm just worried since all they do is snuggle up to each other yet they don't sleep. They just sort of close their eyes but never fully snooze.

If your birds were caged together previously, they could already be a pair.....

That's rambly.... But I hope it represents my primary concerns as a first time owner and the advice I need...

You might find the info at this link interesting: Black-masked Lovebird or Yellow-collared Lovebird, Agapornis personata

Good luck.....

For them to settle down is really on their terms, the transition of birds vary diversely so it wouldn't be uncommon if it takes them a month or even a few days. If they were separated from the rest of the flock it's common for them to stick around each other in this new "scary environment".

Taming should be done once they are accustomed to the household and the primary caretaker. There's a lot of different ways to tame your parrots, but weco's recommendation is pretty much the most popular out of all of them.

My parrots are usually much louder once it hits four o'clock then they slowly start to calm down. Your birds are more used to your parents so it's easier to do normal things, like eating and moving, around them because they've learned that they aren't predators.

When you offered corn, was it directly by your hand?

Birds in general are really weary of their environment and little noises can wake them up as self defense mechanism to escape nearby predators. Since they are still adjusting it should be normal for them to be on such high alert.

I caught one of them eating this morning so that alleviated some of my worry.

When I got home I spent some time being still in front of the cage and I think it really helped. After a while they started exploring and acting normal, even grooming each other and acting sleepy.

One of them keeps making a sound like she ( I think it's a she) has something stuck in her throat though. She does this while grooming the other one. Is that normal?

Also I haven't given them names yet since I haven't been able to easily tell them apart haha...

We've had Lovies for a decade or so, and the following reflects our experience with them. Your mileage may vary...

Sitting quietly beside them is a great way to get them to view you as non-threatening, and to start to trust you. They naturally trust others of their kind, as members of their own species are a known entity. They WILL get to trust you, and want to interact with you, but it will take several weeks for them to build serious trust. Obviously, food is a powerful incentive, but in my experience, sitting with them, quietly talking to them, really helps to put them at ease.

Bear in mind that two Lovies, living together, will bond to each other very strongly, and will in all likelihood be inclined to be a little aloof with people (after all, whether they're male/female, female/female, or male/male, they're still a bonded pair, and trust each other first & foremost). My suggestion is to have them visit with you as a pair rather than individually, so they learn to accept you as a flock mate, rather than as a bonding competitor to either of them (I hope that makes sense).

The foregoing is offered as advice, based on our experience, and is valued precisely at its purchase price.:54: