Aggressive love bird

[vivichandran]

Hi guys, I've adopted a love bird recently I tried to put him along with 4 of my other love birds which I own but unfortunately it didn't work well so had to put him separately in another cage. He was fearful at the beginning but now he's not any more feared which is good in fact but what I'm worried about is that, he seems to be so aggressive. He runs towards the bars as soon as he finds me n tries to bite my fingers as I touches the cage. I really need to know what's going on with him if this isn't normal I really want some help in taming him.

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[vivichandran]

Two days past since I post this thread. Hope someone I'll show up here with a solution sooner

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[plumsmum2005]

Hi sorry for the lack of replies.

I found this and hope it helps Taming an Aggressive Lovebird | The Adventures of Kacy The Conure Parrot ? Bryan's Angels

Please do use the search function on here also.

 

[itzjbean]

That was a very poor mistake to just throw the new bird in with the ones you have and I hope none of the birds were injured in doing so. Obviously you realized this somehow and separated them, which is in the best interest of the new bird. You can't just put birds together without properly introducing them first. I'm actually a little surprised that it's still alive.

With that being said, I apologize if I come off as rude but you need to understand what you were doing was not smart. Allowing the birds to get to know the new bird first and foremost should have come first by separating the newcomer and putting the cage next to the ones you have. Where did you get this lovebird? From a breeder? A rescue? Remember that being new to you, it's going to be scared and aggressive, as would any new bird in a new situation and environment if it isn't properly tamed. What you're not realizing is that it takes time for new birds to settle into their new environments. They have no idea why they're there, and what you want from them.

What do you know of the background of this bird? How old is it? When birds become sexually mature they start to exhibit signs of aggression because of hormones, though in this case it could just be not a tame bird. Knowing the background of the bird you got would help. It is possible it was never tamed or used to people and therefore will act aggressively with any human interaction or approach.

You will need to gain your new bird's trust if you want to tame it. This means that you will have to put in a heck of a lot of work for the bird to become comfortable around you. It would help though if I knew how old this bird was, what its background is (if you know) and we can go from there!

 

[LordTriggs]

the other thing I'll add to the above reply is the new lovebird needs to be put in quarantine in a separate room for 30 days. If that lovebird turns out to be ill in any capacity it can easily spread to the others.

It does seem to me that you believe this lovebird would instantly be the same as the others which just wont happen immediately. Just give them time, move slowly, don't stare and let them settle

 

[YUMgrinder]

how long have you had your other lovebirds? I would expect you went through this stage with all of them, what's different about this new guy? He needs time to settle in, could take months. He needs to learn to trust you and needs to be handled to ensure his fear of your hand will go away. My lovebird steps up and flys to my shoulder from her cage when it's time for her to come out, but if she is in a mood she will chase our fingers around the cage bars trying to nip instead. Maybe he's being territorial or maybe he's afraid, perhaps a little of both. I would cup mine in my hands and talk sweetly to her over and over and when she nipped I would firmly hold her beak and say "no biting" and she rarely bites me now and when she does, she does it lightly for the most part.

as far as socializing him with the other birds, I suggest putting them somewhere they are comfortable perching, with enough room for him to stay separated from the others if he wants, and with supervision let them get to know each other. They may bicker but you can intervene if they get too rough. I personally have a 6 foot tall perch that has many rope perches and wood and they have access to food and water.

of course, socialize them AFTER you quarantine him. At this point you've already introduced them so it might do no good and they might all get sick. (lets hope not!)

Can you post pics? lovebirds are adorable I would love to see pics of yours!

Also, where are you located in this world?

 

[gracebowen]

Ive had my lovie for 5 months. She still bites me at times but...
I can touch her cage
Put my hand near her
Open cage to let her out
And
Occasionally feed her without getting bit.

She will fly and land on me some now.

She lands on my phone while im using it and occasionally bites me lol.

Her previous owner said she was abused by a prior home.

 

[gentleheart]

I've had my lovebird (peachfaced) for 5 years.

No DNA test but I am positive it is a male, as he has never exhibited the nest building behaviors of stuffing things in his feathers, even when his hormonal behaviors were so constant it was problematic!

My lovebird, while independent, is also very tame and enjoys being a part of our every day life. However, if we are outside the cage and he is in, he will run over and run his beak up and down the bars, acting like he wants to nip. And he will give you a nip if he gets a hold of you in this situation, but he has never, not a day in his life, given me a nip so hard as to draw blood. And I can recall only a few times he gave me one that actually hurt.

I do believe this 'cage aggression' behavior is normal (especially for a lovebird) and not entirely avoidable. As long as they behave themselves when I open the door, I am happy. And he does. I taught him to 'come here' and step up on my finger on his own without any prodding from me in about twenty minutes (smart little birds!).

I don't believe it is possible to keep a tame lovebird if you have it living together with other birds. They tend to bond very strongly, and of course stronger to their bird friends. I have yet to see or hear of a truly tame lovebird pair. I have seen that other members have multiple lovebirds, but I do not know if they are all tame, and if they are kept together.

My favorite trick is to bring a chair and sit next to the cage. Then I put my hand in the cage with their favorite treat on it and just sit and wait. I don't move, don't stare constantly at the birds, and rarely talk. This is how I began taming several completely wild budgerigars. It does work with the little birds.

Just knowing lovebirds in general, and being that the shop I used to frequent had many but none were tame (she loved my little guy because she said he is the first lovebird she has met that never bites), I have my doubts that any lovebird not handled from a very young age will ever be a pet quality bird.

 

[vivichandran]

I have a video of him but can't really post it here. Thanks for your reply guys n I really have no idea about his age or sex as he was given to me by someone

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