A "mating behavior" warning for all

[B.B.]

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to warn you about something that I have discovered is a VERY bad idea for any lovebird owner. They never tell you about these things in the books, I have tried to find information on it since. So to help you avoid the same heartache, I thought I'd post this (possibly obvious) tip.

This most likely applies to single lovebirds. Mine is most likely a male.

I would highly suggest that if your bird tries to mate with your feet (or elbow or whatever else they are attracted to) that you never let them start doing that. I have a 6 year old lovebird and that is all he ever wants to do now.

It started out several months ago with him doing a mating dance, with chattering noises and occasionally he would jump onto my sock covered foot. At some point, I stupidly let him continue this behavior and he continued to "completion" This was a very VERY bad idea. He expects to do this multiple times a day now. He now has become aggressive, and wants very little to do with me, except for my feet. He will charge at my pant cuff or hands to bite me if I get them anywhere near when he is in "mating mode" He also yacks on my sock and eats it.

So needless to say, as much as you may think your bird needs the relief or something dumb like I did, Never allow them to rub on you, it causes serious problems.

If anyone has a suggestion as to how I can convert my lovebird back to a non-sex crazed bird, I would be ever so grateful. Like I said, I regret that I ever allowed this.

Embarrasedly,
Angela and B.B.

[dani]

Angela
i know lots of people have had similar problems! My Amazon seems to be getting a bit 'romantic' with me lately, and although i love her dearly and it's hard for me to 'reject her affection' so to speak, i know that i have to discourage her advances. thanks for posting, it saves people like me making a similar mistake.

[kimsbirds]

I'm sorry you've encountered some unwanted behaviours with your birdie. While masterbation is normal and you should expect it, being the object of your birds' affection can sometimes have repercussions.

In your thread elsewhere on the board regarding "serious behavioural issues", I edited that thread because to me, it sounded as though you discouraged birdie-bating as a whole. Now that you've begun this thread, yes I can see that since he's chosen you as his 'object', it can be rather distressing.

What if you were to simply allow him out for some socializing time until he begins to 'seek you out'...then you could simply return him to his cage where he can do as he pleases. He might not be impressed but if you can catch him before it starts, he wont' get to the stage where he's aggressive etc.
You could also keep his wings clipped and get him a playstand, so you might interact with him that way. He won't fly to find you as he won't have much lift (he'll figure that out after a couple of attempts) and you could reinforce his good behaviour with a fave treat (sunflower works for us). No, it won't happen overnight, but it might be a start to reinforcing good behaviours when he's out of cage.
What do you think?
K

[sphinxface]

Okay so I've been a little worried for when my bird discovers it's gentiles. Like it's been said you never read about this in books or on internet sites!! I've come to accept it.. but I was wondering if when it happens what should I DO?! sounds like I should stop it. Pick him up, distract him? Right? I defiantly don't want a sex crazed bird :(

[michael]

When our birds begin to exhibit any kind of sexual/mating behavior this is only natural. So of course this is going to happen. I'm sure besides the embarassment some of us have read about hormone and adrenaline toxcosis and are having some concerns. We must understand some of our lovies are going to perform these acts regardless of the methods we choose to erradicate them. Certainly its best not to encourage or add extra stimulation for the purpose of gratifying your bird, at least not in my opinion. Sometimes when all else fails the best we can do is to provide a surrogate object in the cage in hopes this will keep them off everything else. If you can avoid initiating this type of behavior without the use of such objects or can otherwise divert their attention then that would probably be best. What makes this hard to deal with quite often is we are told to spend as much time as possible to help form a bond or trust between us and our lovebirds, yet at the same time we try to avoid behavior that may be embarassing or detrimental to their health. I'm not really sure there's as much a problem with this regarding lovebirds as with other species of birds, but I do feel its best to try to avoid this behavior as best you can but only to a certain extent. Some members here let their birds go about their business without any ill effects at all. This really depends on how much of a problem you feel it is as some outgrow it and others take it to extremes. Obviously, the latter needs some restrictions applied. Hope this helps :) ...................Michael and Goofy

[Janie]

Angela, I am sorry. Not that he's doing what comes naturally but that he's chosen your FOOT as his object of affection. :omg: Fortunately none of my three chose me and since Oliver was already much older when I adopted him he was over that stage, but Big Boi and Shy were only 9 to 10 weeks old when I got them and when they started maturing each chose a birdie buddy as their special "thing." Big Boi has really slowed down but Shy is at it every day, several times a day, humping and feeding that birdie buddy. I have to change them out daily. :rolleyes: I will add that Shy doesn't mind if I pet him or even pick him up when he's doing his thing. He kind of zones out and nothing around him gets his attention and he is never aggressive when he's in that mode.

I like Kim's and Michael's advice and hope it helps with your lovie.