| Unhappy Lovebird = Unhappy Owner Help! - CLICK HERE for the Pet Manual Forum Home Page |
| Blaine Hamrick |
I got my two-month old peach-faced lovebird on 8/2 and she is anything but
lovable, although she was hand-fed. She even has some black on her beak, so
she is supposed to be at the most trainable stage in her life. Her wings are
clipped, but not much as she can fly from the ground up to her cage on a
table. I plan on taking her to the vet and getting them clipped some more
and to show me how to do it safely. She likes to come out of her cage and
fly around the room, then she just likes to sit on top of her cage. She will
perch on a stick for a moment before flying away. She won't sit on my hand
at all, and when cupped between my hands she is very fidgety and unhappy.
She does not like to be picked up by hand. One of my main questions is if
holding her in my hands against her will might get her more used to me or
might frighten her even more and become afraid of me. She will spend 30
seconds or so on her play gym, then fly away. My goals for her include
sitting for an hour or so on my finger or shoulder, and want to cuddle a
bit. I would like for her to play on and sit at her play gym for an hour or
so. Any help would be appreciated a great deal. Please note that I have not
had my lovebird DNA-sexed, but I use the word "she" rather than "it" because
she IS NOT just a thing, but a living sentient creature. Thank you!
--
Blaine Hamrick
Irving, Texas
hamrick@gte.net < email, MSNM
AIM: AL7HH ICQ: 154455816
http://home1.gte.net/hamrick
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| Louis Boyd |
Blaine Hamrick wrote:
> I got my two-month old peach-faced lovebird on 8/2 and she is anything but
> lovable, although she was hand-fed. She even has some black on her beak, so
> she is supposed to be at the most trainable stage in her life. Her wings are
> clipped, but not much as she can fly from the ground up to her cage on a
> table. I plan on taking her to the vet and getting them clipped some more
> and to show me how to do it safely. She likes to come out of her cage and
> fly around the room, then she just likes to sit on top of her cage. She will
> perch on a stick for a moment before flying away. She won't sit on my hand
> at all, and when cupped between my hands she is very fidgety and unhappy.
> She does not like to be picked up by hand. One of my main questions is if
> holding her in my hands against her will might get her more used to me or
> might frighten her even more and become afraid of me. She will spend 30
> seconds or so on her play gym, then fly away. My goals for her include
> sitting for an hour or so on my finger or shoulder, and want to cuddle a
> bit. I would like for her to play on and sit at her play gym for an hour or
> so. Any help would be appreciated a great deal. Please note that I have not
> had my lovebird DNA-sexed, but I use the word "she" rather than "it" because
> she IS NOT just a thing, but a living sentient creature. Thank you!
You can't force a bird to like you, but you can allow it to like you.
Clipping wings is couterproductive as it only makes a bird more
frightened as it knows it has less options for escape. A frightened bird
has only two options, which are to escape or to attack. You need to
allow your bird to realize you're not a threat. Holding a bird against
it's will is frightening. Grabbing a bird about the body is what a
predator does right before it has lunch! I don't know if it's too late
for your bird to ever trust you again, but you should stop trying to
force it to "behave" immediately. The problem is not the bird. You
should try acting like friendly bird instead. What do friendly birds do?
They sit near each other without being threatening. A few feet away
is fine at first. Recognize the bird. Chatter to it. If they accept
this the next stage is to offer food treats. The most intimate birds
get (except for mating) is mutual grooming. That does not involve
picking up the bird. Most birds like to have their feathers smoothed or
gently scratched but only after they're comfortable being near you.
Consider this. Birds are very social creatures. It's a bit hard to
understand how a bird which weighs a couple of ounces could ever
consider a 100+ pound mammal that's known to be a predator to birds and
eggs it's friend. But the drive for companionship is very strong in
birds and if the bird doesn't have another bird (one which is friendly)
it will eventually accept a human. But it won't ever accept you if
you continually frighten it. Most birds will allow petting and some
handling, but ony after they accept you as a flockmate and most are
never comfortable with being picked up by the body. Baby birds accept
anyone, but your's is beyond that stage. Back off and let your bird
learn to like you.
--
Lou Boyd
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| mdfloyd |
Lou is right, though I do think clipped wings are helpful AFTER the
bird is feeling a bit more comfortable in your home (and no, I'm not
going to argue the clipped wings issues with anyone). Just be patient
and go slowly -- it can take days, weeks, months, or years for an
untamed bird to "trust" you enough to sit on your shoulder for a
length of time.
When you cup a bird in your hands that's the same sensation as two big
jaws about to bite into flesh, so please don't hold your bird like
this any more. Once your bird is comfortable and showing signs of
approachability (again, this takes time), teach your bird to step up
onto your finger. That's the best way to "hold" a bird.
Relax and be patient!
-----------------------
www.scritches.com
everything but the bird
-----------------------
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| MrJ |
"Louis Boyd" <boyd@apt0.sao.arizona.edu> wrote in message
news:bgre5j$6dj$1@oasis.ccit.arizona.edu...
>
> You can't force a bird to like you, but you can allow it to like you.
....if it wants to
> Clipping wings is couterproductive as it only makes a bird more
> frightened as it knows it has less options for escape. A frightened bird
> has only two options, which are to escape or to attack.
Since all of my experience with clipping wings is contrary to what you say
is so, I'll have to say that what you have to say is crap. Just how many
clipped birds do you have? How many of your nonclipped birds did you
initially clip in order to "tame" them?
> You need to
> allow your bird to realize you're not a threat. Holding a bird against
> it's will is frightening. Grabbing a bird about the body is what a
> predator does right before it has lunch!
Yes and no. Grabbing a bird around it's body is not always a bad thing
especially if the bird was hand-fed. Do you think that little baby bird was
"stepping up" to get fed or is it more likely that the feeder scooped up the
baby?
Some of my birds prefer to be grabbed rather than to step up.
> --
> Lou Boyd
>
--
*MrJ*
Do something about 'your.attitude'
to reply via e-mail.
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| Laurie |
"Toucanldy" <toucanldy@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20030808093530.01332.00000250@mb-m15.aol.com...
> Unhappy Owner Help!
> >From: "Laurie" notinthislifetime@nowhere.com
>
> >This whole thread has got me worried now about Mac...he was hand fed, but
> >hates like hell when I grab him and hold him to give him his milk
thistle.
> >I worry it's just going to make him mean. I keep thinking he'll get used
to
> >it eventually, but I don't know
>
> Some birds get used to being grabbed, and some don't, but I have never
seen one
> get mean from it.
>
> Regards
That's very good to hear TCL, thanks.
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| Cinbad |
Nay, nay April! My 2-yo male lovie is a wonderful companion. Now, a female
may be a different proposition-
Chickie Lovebird plays a lot of fun games, some with me and my DH and some
all by himself. He likes to hang out with his Dad and I, especially when I
am loading the dishwasher or Dad is folding clothes. Chickie loves to
closely supervise both these activities. We move carefully so he doesn't
get hurt or scared. He loves to fight with pens - especially the ones with
a rubbery grip. He throws them off the counter or table and then runs to
the edge to check to make sure they are properly "banished". Don't, for
God's sake, try to hang on to the pen! He will chomp you sure as heck.
He has taken to humping a small rope perch ( I am his "pimp-mama" for making
sure he has a new "girlfriend" every morning. Thank God my dad isn't around
to hear about my new career...) morning, noon and night. I figure it's a
hobby.
If you recognize your bird's behaviors and don't try to suppresss or change
them, you'll get along a lot better. As I said, I have a male PFLB and I
wouldn't trade him for any thing. If I had a nasty-tempered bird (oh come
to think of it I have a parakeet I call "Shebird the piranha", so I guess I
DO have a nasty-tempered bird) I might feel differently. Bird ownership is
a crapshoot, but we know that going in.
Cindy
"April1201" <april1201@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20030808122505.27688.00001095@mb-m23.aol.com...
> The problem isn't wing clipping or not, the problem is you got a
peach-faced
> lovebird. You are now in possession of a devil bird. Run, run as fast as
you
> can to escape.
>
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| Blaine Hamrick |
Would you mind explaining that statement? If you dont want to post, email me
anytime at hamrick@gte.net. Thank you!
"April1201" <april1201@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20030808122505.27688.00001095@mb-m23.aol.com...
> The problem isn't wing clipping or not, the problem is you got a
peach-faced
> lovebird. You are now in possession of a devil bird. Run, run as fast as
you
> can to escape.
>
> ------------------------------------
> From: "Blaine Hamrick" hamrick@gte.net
> Date: 08/06/2003 10:11 AM Pacific Standard Time
> Message-id: <zFaYa.12699$uw6.6832@nwrddc02.gnilink.net>
>
> I got my two-month old peach-faced lovebird on 8/2 and she is anything but
> lovable, although she was hand-fed. She even has some black on her beak,
so
> she is supposed to be at the most trainable stage in her life. Her wings
are
> clipped, but not much as she can fly from the ground up to her cage on a
> table. I plan on taking her to the vet and getting them clipped some more
> and to show me how to do it safely. She likes to come out of her cage and
> fly around the room, then she just likes to sit on top of her cage. She
will
> perch on a stick for a moment before flying away. She won't sit on my hand
> at all, and when cupped between my hands she is very fidgety and unhappy.
> She does not like to be picked up by hand. One of my main questions is if
> holding her in my hands against her will might get her more used to me or
> might frighten her even more and become afraid of me. She will spend 30
> seconds or so on her play gym, then fly away. My goals for her include
> sitting for an hour or so on my finger or shoulder, and want to cuddle a
> bit. I would like for her to play on and sit at her play gym for an hour
or
> so. Any help would be appreciated a great deal. Please note that I have
not
> had my lovebird DNA-sexed, but I use the word "she" rather than "it"
because
> she IS NOT just a thing, but a living sentient creature. Thank you!
> --
> Blaine Hamrick
> Irving, Texas
> hamrick@gte.net < email, MSNM
> AIM: AL7HH ICQ: 154455816
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| Wheeler |
Around these parts Lovebirds are lovingly spoken about as devil birds,
demons, evil beasties, due to their irrisitably rowdey behaviors etc....
Bob W
(Who only keeps one pair these days as I finally found good homes for the
several dozen it took me three years to give away.)
--
Check out our web site,
A few new features and new pictures.
http://www.onemorebird.com/
"Blaine Hamrick" <hamrick@gte.net> wrote in message
news:FGo%a.2138$_P1.1500@nwrddc01.gnilink.net...
> Would you mind explaining that statement? If you dont want to post, email
me
> anytime at hamrick@gte.net. Thank you!
>
> "April1201" <april1201@aol.com> wrote in message
> news:20030808122505.27688.00001095@mb-m23.aol.com...
> > The problem isn't wing clipping or not, the problem is you got a
> peach-faced
> > lovebird. You are now in possession of a devil bird. Run, run as fast
as
> you
> > can to escape.
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> > From: "Blaine Hamrick" hamrick@gte.net
> > Date: 08/06/2003 10:11 AM Pacific Standard Time
> > Message-id: <zFaYa.12699$uw6.6832@nwrddc02.gnilink.net>
> >
> > I got my two-month old peach-faced lovebird on 8/2 and she is anything
but
> > lovable, although she was hand-fed. She even has some black on her beak,
> so
> > she is supposed to be at the most trainable stage in her life. Her wings
> are
> > clipped, but not much as she can fly from the ground up to her cage on a
> > table. I plan on taking her to the vet and getting them clipped some
more
> > and to show me how to do it safely. She likes to come out of her cage
and
> > fly around the room, then she just likes to sit on top of her cage. She
> will
> > perch on a stick for a moment before flying away. She won't sit on my
hand
> > at all, and when cupped between my hands she is very fidgety and
unhappy.
> > She does not like to be picked up by hand. One of my main questions is
if
> > holding her in my hands against her will might get her more used to me
or
> > might frighten her even more and become afraid of me. She will spend 30
> > seconds or so on her play gym, then fly away. My goals for her include
> > sitting for an hour or so on my finger or shoulder, and want to cuddle a
> > bit. I would like for her to play on and sit at her play gym for an hour
> or
> > so. Any help would be appreciated a great deal. Please note that I have
> not
> > had my lovebird DNA-sexed, but I use the word "she" rather than "it"
> because
> > she IS NOT just a thing, but a living sentient creature. Thank you!
> > --
> > Blaine Hamrick
> > Irving, Texas
> > hamrick@gte.net < email, MSNM
> > AIM: AL7HH ICQ: 154455816
>
>
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| April1201 |
It's because someone forgot to tell them they're not macaws. They have the
nerve and the spirit of a huge bird, and are not afraid to use it. They are
fearless little devil birds and have sent many a grown man running for their
lives.
I got in a fight with one once, and I lost...
---------------------------------------------
From: "Blaine Hamrick" hamrick@gte.net
Date: 8/16/2003 4:36 AM Pacific Standard
Would you mind explaining that statement? If you dont want to post, email me
anytime at hamrick@gte.net. Thank you!
|
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| Liquid Memory |
"April1201" <april1201@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20030808122505.27688.00001095@mb-m23.aol.com...
> The problem isn't wing clipping or not, the problem is you got a
peach-faced
> lovebird. You are now in possession of a devil bird. Run, run as fast as
you
> can to escape.
>
LOL, you got that one right. They have the knack of piercing your finger in
the right spot that makes it hurt for weeks. Even the babies can be
vicious, especially during feeding time.
Tony
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| Liquid Memory |
"April1201" <april1201@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20030817190755.27902.00000156@mb-m29.aol.com...
> It's because someone forgot to tell them they're not macaws. They have
the
> nerve and the spirit of a huge bird, and are not afraid to use it. They
are
> fearless little devil birds and have sent many a grown man running for
their
> lives.
>
> I got in a fight with one once, and I lost...
> ---------------------------------------------
That is just Way too funny.
Help I have fallen from laughing too hard and can't get up.
Tony
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| Wheeler |
Have you ever fed a baby lovebird?
Bob W
--
Check out our web site,
A few new features and new pictures.
http://www.onemorebird.com/
"Liquid Memory" <liqbbs@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:tNU%a.10437$sA4.244@fe02.atl2.webusenet.com...
>
> "April1201" <april1201@aol.com> wrote in message
> news:20030808122505.27688.00001095@mb-m23.aol.com...
> > The problem isn't wing clipping or not, the problem is you got a
> peach-faced
> > lovebird. You are now in possession of a devil bird. Run, run as fast
as
> you
> > can to escape.
> >
>
> LOL, you got that one right. They have the knack of piercing your finger
in
> the right spot that makes it hurt for weeks. Even the babies can be
> vicious, especially during feeding time.
>
> Tony
>
>
>
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| oldmolly |
"Wheeler" <rivercst@pacifier.com> wrote in message
news:vk0mna8tq01398@corp.supernews.com...
> Have you ever fed a baby lovebird?
>
> Bob W
>
Doesn't sound like it , does it?
That was the first bird I ever hand reared by myself. I have a soft spot for
them.
Ray, who posts here sometimes , brought me a cute one when he and his wife
came to visit. It is a sweetheart. I have named it 'tickle'.
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.510 / Virus Database: 307 - Release Date: 14/08/03
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| Wheeler |
That was my point, see Tony missed the "lovingly...." in my post and figured
it was safe to tell more lies and jump on the band wagon. Baby Lovebirds
have never ever bit me, now baby budgies are another story.
Bob W
--
Check out our web site,
A few new features and new pictures.
http://www.onemorebird.com/
"oldmolly" <oldmolly@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:bhqhuq$23h25$1@ID-165698.news.uni-berlin.de...
>
> "Wheeler" <rivercst@pacifier.com> wrote in message
> news:vk0mna8tq01398@corp.supernews.com...
> > Have you ever fed a baby lovebird?
> >
> > Bob W
> >
> Doesn't sound like it , does it?
> That was the first bird I ever hand reared by myself. I have a soft spot
for
> them.
> Ray, who posts here sometimes , brought me a cute one when he and his
wife
> came to visit. It is a sweetheart. I have named it 'tickle'.
>
>
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.510 / Virus Database: 307 - Release Date: 14/08/03
>
>
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| Mamabird |
"Wheeler" <rivercst@pacifier.com> wrote in message
news:vk1lufdam1875b@corp.supernews.com...
> That was my point, see Tony missed the "lovingly...." in my post and
figured
> it was safe to tell more lies and jump on the band wagon. Baby Lovebirds
> have never ever bit me, now baby budgies are another story.
>
> Bob W
Baby lovebirds are fun to handfeed! I've raised quite a few and the only
problem I had was one that didn't want to wean... stubborn little brat!
Never been bitten though.
--
Mama
~^~^~^~ Visit Mamabird's Nest: <http://iluvbirds.tripod.com/> And My
Photo Albums at: <http://photos.yahoo.com/iluvbirdz>
"A bird's life is so frail, so threatened, that each is a miracle - each
new hatching an astonishment." Helen Thomson
~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~
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| Alex Clayton |
> "Wheeler" <rivercst@pacifier.com> wrote in message
> news:vk1lufdam1875b@corp.supernews.com...
> > That was my point, see Tony missed the "lovingly...." in my post and
> figured
> > it was safe to tell more lies and jump on the band wagon. Baby
Lovebirds
> > have never ever bit me, now baby budgies are another story.
> >
> > Bob W
>
> Baby lovebirds are fun to handfeed! I've raised quite a few and the only
> problem I had was one that didn't want to wean... stubborn little brat!
> Never been bitten though.
> --
> Mama
Not to argue with Tony and his "500 years of avian work", but that's what is
to be expected from him.
The LB we had, was not even hand fed, but was very young. She was a
sweetheart as a baby. Now when she matured, and decided she was a Macaw in a
little body, and decided she needed to prove it all the time, that was a
little different <G>
She was a great pet, and even though she had not been hand fed was a
sweetheart, just very aggressive about what she wanted. She would nip one of
us, then run to the other side of the couch and "tell you off", it was
hilarious to watch. Now the Parent/ Aviary raised birds that are often seen
in pet shops, which if Tony has ever even seen one, is probably what he is
basing his info on, are another story. They can and will draw blood from any
finger foolishly offered them <G>
--
"Things get better with age, I’m approaching magnificent"!
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| Louis Boyd |
Alex Clayton wrote:
>>"Wheeler" <rivercst@pacifier.com> wrote in message
>>news:vk1lufdam1875b@corp.supernews.com...
>>
>>>That was my point, see Tony missed the "lovingly...." in my post and
>>
>>figured
>>
>>>it was safe to tell more lies and jump on the band wagon. Baby
>
> Lovebirds
>
>>>have never ever bit me, now baby budgies are another story.
>>>
>>>Bob W
>>
>>Baby lovebirds are fun to handfeed! I've raised quite a few and the only
>>problem I had was one that didn't want to wean... stubborn little brat!
>>Never been bitten though.
>>--
>> Mama
>
>
> Not to argue with Tony and his "500 years of avian work", but that's what is
> to be expected from him.
> The LB we had, was not even hand fed, but was very young. She was a
> sweetheart as a baby. Now when she matured, and decided she was a Macaw in a
> little body, and decided she needed to prove it all the time, that was a
> little different <G>
> She was a great pet, and even though she had not been hand fed was a
> sweetheart, just very aggressive about what she wanted. She would nip one of
> us, then run to the other side of the couch and "tell you off", it was
> hilarious to watch. Now the Parent/ Aviary raised birds that are often seen
> in pet shops, which if Tony has ever even seen one, is probably what he is
> basing his info on, are another story. They can and will draw blood from any
> finger foolishly offered them <G>
From my experience big birds like macaws are gentler than little birds.
They all know how much damage their bites do. The big ones show a lot
more restraint knowing they can inflict really serious injury. That's
assuming of course they're pets and they like you.
--
Lou Boyd
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| Paulo |
One exception...Linnies
--
Paulo
"Louis Boyd" <boyd@apt0.sao.arizona.edu> wrote in message
news:bhrd3s$mpf$1@oasis.ccit.arizona.edu...
> Alex Clayton wrote:
> >>"Wheeler" <rivercst@pacifier.com> wrote in message
> >>news:vk1lufdam1875b@corp.supernews.com...
> >>
> >>>That was my point, see Tony missed the "lovingly...." in my post and
> >>
> >>figured
> >>
> >>>it was safe to tell more lies and jump on the band wagon. Baby
> >
> > Lovebirds
> >
> >>>have never ever bit me, now baby budgies are another story.
> >>>
> >>>Bob W
> >>
> >>Baby lovebirds are fun to handfeed! I've raised quite a few and the only
> >>problem I had was one that didn't want to wean... stubborn little brat!
> >>Never been bitten though.
> >>--
> >> Mama
> >
> >
> > Not to argue with Tony and his "500 years of avian work", but that's
what is
> > to be expected from him.
> > The LB we had, was not even hand fed, but was very young. She was a
> > sweetheart as a baby. Now when she matured, and decided she was a Macaw
in a
> > little body, and decided she needed to prove it all the time, that was a
> > little different <G>
> > She was a great pet, and even though she had not been hand fed was a
> > sweetheart, just very aggressive about what she wanted. She would nip
one of
> > us, then run to the other side of the couch and "tell you off", it was
> > hilarious to watch. Now the Parent/ Aviary raised birds that are often
seen
> > in pet shops, which if Tony has ever even seen one, is probably what he
is
> > basing his info on, are another story. They can and will draw blood from
any
> > finger foolishly offered them <G>
>
> From my experience big birds like macaws are gentler than little birds.
> They all know how much damage their bites do. The big ones show a lot
> more restraint knowing they can inflict really serious injury. That's
> assuming of course they're pets and they like you.
> --
> Lou Boyd
>
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| Larry |
I have a lovebird and went through similar trials with it as you have.
The first year it was a big pest. If it wasn't chewing on the woodwork
it was chewing on me!
It really seemed depressed whenever I clipped her wings and if I wanted
a flightless bird I would get a chicken. She would not learn to perch
on my finger and resented being picked up at all.
Then one day she flew on top of the refrigerator and preferred to hang
out there until I managed to coax her off with a stick. She continued
daily to prefer being there. I did not want her climbing down the back
of the fridge so I put a rolled up blanket near the back. Well she
thought she 'died and went to heaven'. Much of her behavior in the past
was that she was looking for a place to build a nest and the soft
blanket sheltered nook between the fridge and the cupboard above was her
spot. The next thing I discovered was that her need to chew could be
met with popsickle or craft sticks. I hold the stick while she chews
tiny strips from each stick and flies them back to her nest. She has
chewed up hundreds of them and then sticks them into the blanket for
further chewing. She crawls down the side of the blanket and enters
into the folds...the center of the blanket is full of chewed sticks and
her feathers that is actually quite soft. She sleeps inside there at
night and only flies to her cage in the next room to eat. She still
insists on millet spray for her main diet but does come around at any
time we choose to eat. She loves popcorn, rice, bread, cheese, and
pasta. She has become a darling little thing. She still won't perch
on my finger but she does let me rub her head and when she is on her
blanket she loves for me to kiss her back.
I know she is female because she occasionally lays an egg.
So give your bird some time and let her/him into your life on their own
terms.
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