Just got a young Lovebird, could use guidance!

So, as I have seen be the case in a lot of posts, I just got a hand-fed lovebird who was probably not handled very much after it was weaned since it seems awfully terrified of hands. Also, I believe he is young because he still has some black color on his beak. I know it's been only a week since I got him but I could use some guidance moving forward in how to train them to be less scared of hands.

So far, my lovebird lets me put my face in front of it with the cage separating us as long as I approach slowly. I have also been able to put my hand in front of the them on the bird cage without him flying, as long as I do so slowly. However, the next day will come around and sometimes it feels like I am starting back from square one every morning with him getting freaked out by slow hand movements even if I am far from the cage.

A couple of days ago, I started leaving one of the small doors of my cage open (it opens in) with some millet on it. He has gone over and eaten it even with me sitting close by. However, today I did the same and he decided to jump out...not wanting to freak him out with my hands I grabbed a perch and after holding it for a while in front of him he finally hopped onto it and I was able to put him back in the cage successfully. He was really skinny the whole time he was on the perch though, but he never jumped off.

I want to make sure I am not rushing things, but at the same time I want to know if I am proceeding forward in the most effective manner. I would love to form a bond with my new bird, if possible!

I am actually in the same exact situation with my new blue faced lovebird. He is 4 months old and I've had him for 2 weeks. I think he is finally getting comfortable with me. I sat by the cage the first whole week. This week I have left my finger on the perch. So far he is okay with it, but still moves away as I try to inch forward. My next step is to get him onto my finger but we are no where close to that yet. I've tried to hand feed him millet, but that just freaks him out, he flies away to the other side of the cage lol. I've left his cage door open for the past 2 days while I was in the kitchen cleaning up and both times after about 30 minutes, he flew right out and walked over to me on the floor. However, again, when I try to get him on my finger, forget it. Then I grabbed a perch for him to get onto, and he doesn't grasp the concept of "this is something I need to step up onto." He just steps right over . If I do happen to get him onto it... as soon as I start to slowly stand up, he just jumps right off. I've had to literally put hi cage on the floor in front of him, and waddles right over and hops in. I'm not sure what the next step is or if he just needs more time. He getting more and more chatty, but not much progress anywhere else.
((I'm so sorry I didn't mean to overthrow your concern, I just feel like we are in the same boat together hehe ))

Smartel5392 said:

I am actually in the same exact situation with my new blue faced lovebird. He is 4 months old and I've had him for 2 weeks. I think he is finally getting comfortable with me. I sat by the cage the first whole week. This week I have left my finger on the perch. So far he is okay with it, but still moves away as I try to inch forward. My next step is to get him onto my finger but we are no where close to that yet. I've tried to hand feed him millet, but that just freaks him out, he flies away to the other side of the cage lol. I've left his cage door open for the past 2 days while I was in the kitchen cleaning up and both times after about 30 minutes, he flew right out and walked over to me on the floor. However, again, when I try to get him on my finger, forget it. Then I grabbed a perch for him to get onto, and he doesn't grasp the concept of "this is something I need to step up onto." He just steps right over . If I do happen to get him onto it... as soon as I start to slowly stand up, he just jumps right off. I've had to literally put hi cage on the floor in front of him, and waddles right over and hops in. I'm not sure what the next step is or if he just needs more time. He getting more and more chatty, but not much progress anywhere else.
((I'm so sorry I didn't mean to overthrow your concern, I just feel like we are in the same boat together hehe ))

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Not at all! It's good to hear how someone in the same situation is approaching it. I'd like to hear any progress you make with your lovebird!

Today, I tried getting him to hop onto the stick while in his cage. He doesn't seem scared of the stick so much, but was pretty wary of it. It took a while for him to finally put his feet on it and I was able to slowly take him out of the cage. However, once I took him out I guess I rushed it a little and he got scared and jumped off. D: I had to kinda chase him down with the stick, which I really hated doing...cause he was kinda freaked out. But, I finally got him back onto it and I just walked to the bathroom with him and we sat there for a while as he calmed down. Eventually, he finally ate millet from my hand for the first time and I got him to step back onto the stick and put him back into the cage successfully. (Kinda used the millet for bargaining, haha).

I guess, my question is how do you usually deal with your bird flying off? do you normally put his cage on the floor and wait for him to walk in or have you had to use other methods?

My friends the way to a parrots heart is through his stomach. Find the favorite treat and that your key to almost everything. Nuff said.

wrench13 said:

My friends the way to a parrots heart is through his stomach. Find the favorite treat and that your key to almost everything. Nuff said.

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My lovebird really likes sunflower seeds, but he is still kinda scared of my hand. Do you have any recommendations of what would be the best way to give the seeds to him?

have been practicing this week with putting my finger on his perch. I can get my finger about an inch away from him before he flies away. He will not eat anything and I mean anything from my hand what so ever. I've tried millet, seeds, apples, kale, spinach, etc etc. I love keeping his cage open and letting him come out, because his wings are clipped so he cannot get far. However, when his wings start coming in, I'm afraid it will be impossible to get him back in if he's not food driven.

Good for you, for reaching out.

Here is some reading we usually recommend.

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

General Parrot Information - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

http://goodbirdinc.blogspot.com/2012...n-parrots.html


As for Certified Avian Vets... SO GOOD to have one on hand...

http://www.aav.org/search/custom.asp?id=1803
Regular vets often "wing it" with birds, although some are very dedicated and talented.


The Search Tab above is great for researching food, cages, toys, handling...

I'm glad you're here!

I've brought home my lovebird(peach face) a little over a month ago and we seem to be doing great, she has become a velcro bird. What I did was just sit next to her on my couch with the cage door open. I pretty much ignored her and just played lovebird videos on my phone from youtube. After about 20 mins or so she go curious and flew to me to talk to the bird on the phone. I did this for about a day, now she enjoys playing with her toys on top of her cage and about 5 pm she will fly down to me on her own and want to go in my shirt. I'm still working on the step up phase though, she will step up for me when not on her cage but if she is in it or on it she prefers to jump on me. Best of luck to you two.

I'm with wrench here.... find the favorite treat and use that to teach your bird to trust you. Bird doesn't take anything from you? That's okay, too! As long as you know what their favorite treats are, all you need to do is set up a metal dish at the front of the cage and any time you walk by the cage, drop a treat into the cup!

The *last* thing you want to do is chase your bird all around the cage, remove bird from cage, then take them to another part of your home! Doing this can easily result in birds becoming defensive around their cages because they learn that hands are not good around their home!

If the bird feels most comfortable near or on their cage, then start from the cage and work your way out!

Work with what your bird is willing to give. It may seem like a slow progress, but every step closer to the goal is worth it! You'll have a much healthier and happier relationship with your bird by not forcing the interaction!