What's this behaviour?

[nrm123]

Hello, long time no see. First off a quick update. My lovebird turned 1 last month and he is still an aggressive bird although he will happily sit with/on us just seems to bite every time. He will always fly to us, we never go to his cage and attempt to pick him up(always results in pain).

Few weeks ago my lovebird started doing something it's never done before, he will go to his bottom perch, kind of duck down and spread his wings as if he was doing a kind of hovering motion. But he never flies after doing this. I put a picture to show what I mean. I do not understand why he does this? I purchased a bigger cage(longer rather than tall) so he could fly around whilst the cage is closed but he rarely does prefers to jump from perch to perch and when he is out he rarely flies just prefers to perch in a spot and play.

 

[weco]

Although his new cage gives him more room to climb around, it is not big enough for a lovebird to fly around in, though he might decide to flutter from end to end sometime.....I've got a parrotlet, smaller than a budgie and I'm not sure the cage is big enough for a parrotlet to fly around in.....

I think that his displaying on the bottom perch is a mating display.....most parrot species are going through hormonal sessions right now and depending on the individual birds, their hormones can rage up to 6 weeks before they return to normal.....just be careful not to pet him on his back, his wings, his body or legs.....scratching his head should be OK.....don't worry, you'll get your bird back after this is over.....

 

[nrm123]

Only half the cage is shown in the pic. Lol I have no chance in petting my bird ever or fingers will bleed.

 

[weco]

Only half the cage is shown in the pic. Lol I have no chance in petting my bird ever or fingers will bleed.

I understand that the picture shows the cage as if it were standing on end.....that cage is about 28" or 30" inches long isn't it? I use that type of cage as travel cages for my birds.....

 

[Allee]

Does your bird have toys to keep him busy? Most lovebirds like to chew, it might help distract him during hormone season.

 

[nrm123]

Does your bird have toys to keep him busy? Most lovebirds like to chew, it might help distract him during hormone season.

He has a couple of toys in the cage ATM including wooden bark toys for chewing. He had one of those snuggle tents to sleep in but chewed the rope that it hangs from twice so it is no longer useable. Outside of the cage he likes to play with a little cat ball, dog rope chew toy, also likes to rip apart kitchen roll tubes and corks from a bottle. And my arm whenever he gets the opportunity.

You can see the ladder in the picture, he has chewed 1 whole horizontal wooden slat away in a matter of hours as well as the top piece that holds the hook. Is this common behaviour for both male and female during this time or is it something a female is more likely to do? (We haven't tested our Lovie)

 

[Allee]

Unless your bird lays an egg, the only way to be sure of it's gender is a DNA test. Your lovie obviously likes to chew, he or she would probably be thrilled with a few more user friendly toys to keep his or her beak busy, hormone season or not. My Safe Bird Store is a great place to shop for innovative, size appropriate and more importantly, safe parrot toys. You might also find our Parrot Toy forum interesting.

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The following link may be helpful if you want to be able to interact with your lovie more.

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