hiriki
Well-known member
- Oct 19, 2014
- 411
- 588
- Parrots
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(Birdie - Jenday Conure)
(Kiwi - Green Cheek Conure)
(Elby - Lovebird)
(Gorou & Liberty - Ringneck Doves)
Hello all! This thread is for the bird rescuers in particular, but also anyone else who has worked with and tamed hand-shy babies.
I'm currently trying to tame a lovebird who came to me *terrified* of hands. I had incredible progress for about a week, to the point where now she'll place a foot on my hand for treats. Just a week ago she fled at the sight of my hand! She first put her foot on me yesterday and I was over the moon happy. But today was an off day--she barely wanted to approach for treats at all, much less give me a foot. I didn't push it, I just let her do her thing, so we didn't make any progress. She spent most of the day knocking baskets off the top of the cages like a cat, which is her favorite solo activity, and seemed rather peeved whenever I approached.
I know I'll have days like this where it feels like I took two steps back... progress is rarely linear.
But when I look at where I am vs. where I want to be, it feels so far away! I see lovebirds on Youtube happily flying to their handler, hiding in their hair, perching on their finger, and honestly as much as I hope I can teach her to trust me like that it feels really impossible! I'm trying to temper my expectations a bit, but at the very least I'd like to teach her to enter a carrier without fuss so that I can get her to the vet for her yearly without traumatizing her and destroying the foundation of trust I'm trying to build. Even THAT sounds unlikely.
When it comes to birds who take weeks or months to win over, how do y'all keep your morale up?
Edit, it's worth mentioning that I've had her for three years, so I have more history with her than just the past week lol. And I'm not losing patience quite yet! I'm just worried that I will lose patience and wondering how I can combat that.
I'm currently trying to tame a lovebird who came to me *terrified* of hands. I had incredible progress for about a week, to the point where now she'll place a foot on my hand for treats. Just a week ago she fled at the sight of my hand! She first put her foot on me yesterday and I was over the moon happy. But today was an off day--she barely wanted to approach for treats at all, much less give me a foot. I didn't push it, I just let her do her thing, so we didn't make any progress. She spent most of the day knocking baskets off the top of the cages like a cat, which is her favorite solo activity, and seemed rather peeved whenever I approached.
I know I'll have days like this where it feels like I took two steps back... progress is rarely linear.
But when I look at where I am vs. where I want to be, it feels so far away! I see lovebirds on Youtube happily flying to their handler, hiding in their hair, perching on their finger, and honestly as much as I hope I can teach her to trust me like that it feels really impossible! I'm trying to temper my expectations a bit, but at the very least I'd like to teach her to enter a carrier without fuss so that I can get her to the vet for her yearly without traumatizing her and destroying the foundation of trust I'm trying to build. Even THAT sounds unlikely.
When it comes to birds who take weeks or months to win over, how do y'all keep your morale up?
Edit, it's worth mentioning that I've had her for three years, so I have more history with her than just the past week lol. And I'm not losing patience quite yet! I'm just worried that I will lose patience and wondering how I can combat that.
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