New Lovebird

[smspringer13]

Hi guys! - I am new to the Lovebirds Plus community. A few days ago I got a new lovebird, Ellabelle(Ellie). She is 2-3 months old (still has a little black on her beak) and has never been tame. I am taking on the challenge of trying to tame her myself...

She stayed with my friend for a few days while I worked, but I was finally able to bring her home yesterday! I made the mistake of trying to take her out, but now, after doing a lot of research, realize I should try and keep her in the cage, talk to her, let her get to know me.

I have a couple of questions... I ordered a large cage, so that is on it's way. For now she is staying in a little smaller cage, one that is able to be carried from place to place. Is it a good or bad idea to carry her with me from room to room? (ie: My bedroom to the family room to watch tv, etc) - will this just stress her out?

She loves the Millet Spray, so I have started trying to poke my hand in the cage with a little piece of millet spray. She'll take a long strand, but is still hesitant to take a small piece when my fingers are so close. Should I just keep trying this?

Any other tips/tricks you have will be much appreciated! :) Thanks for your help! :D

[smspringer13]

One more question-

Ellie has a mirror in her little cage, and of course she sits very close to it most of the time. Should I take the mirror out? Is this making her think she has a friend in the cage? I want her to bond to me, not the mirror.. :)

[sphinxface]

I heard birds bond to mirrors, or that they confuse them... I let my birdie look at a mirror sometimes but don't keep one in his cage just in case.
My bird took to eating one seed out of my fingers at a time rather quick so I say keep trying!

[beckyg]

My bird has always had a little mirror in her cage. She plays with it, but not much else. She is very bonded to me, so I don't know if it matters. Then again she was a tame birdy when I got her.

Oh, welcome and glad you found our community! :D

[butterfly1061]

Hello and welcome to the board!

Congrats on your new lovie Ellie. My first suggestion is to read as much in this section as possible. Taming takes time, but the progress is worth the effort. First, I would take the mirror out of the cage. Most lovebirds will bond to their "little friend" in the mirror and make taming a little difficult. In time you will find other toys for her. Millet is like candy to birds and is great for training/taming. Be careful how much you give her daily. For now I would just sit and talk softly to Ellie and in the next week or so try offering her a piece in the palm of your hand at the door opening of the cage. A cage is your bird's home and security. When you put your hand inside, you are invading her home. Let her come out to you in her own time. I don't think I would move her around too much as she may feel insecure in a different room all the time. Try keeping her in a room where she can see you for a good bit of the time or in your bedroom. What you wan when taming is to earn her trust in you. If you break that, you may have to start from scratch. Others will chime in with suggestions too. Good luck! :)

[smspringer13]

Thanks for all of the tips! :clap

I did take the mirror out of her cage, so hopefully that will help. I also used the millet earlier (just a little piece) and she ate it out of my fingers - she even tapped her beak on my finger (thinking it was the millet) - she didn't bite or anything, just went about her eating. How much is too much to give her in a day?

I will keep talking to her! I think she will be much happier when her big cage gets here, too. :)

[Janie]

Hi and welcome! :)

When I first adopted my first lovie, Oliver, he was 6 - 7 years old. I put him in my sons bedroom (he was off to college) and spend as much time as possible sitting in there with him, talking and reading to him. I was reading The Lovebird Handbook so while I was learning about lovebirds, he was learning the sound of my voice! :D Anyway, that bedroom was not in an area where he'd see other family members and be in the thick of things so I did buy a second cage for downstairs and moved him down every morning.

The more time you spend with him, the more he'll get used to you and come to trust you. Do read up on the behavior section as Jackie mentioned. There are so many good thread there that should be helpful on your new journey....taming you little lovie! Good luck, it will happen! :)

BTW, all three of mine (yep, I just had to have two more) love to be whistled to and we talk "bird talk" throughout the day. :D