Some advice for me please

[Chloe]

I got a lovebird yesterday which the sales clerk told me he was one year old. My questions are when will I know he trusts me and is comfortable with me? Since he is one year old will it be harder to bond with him than ones that are around a few months old? And occasionally he does squeak, but what's the different between squeaks? Like being scared or just talking?

Since yesterday I have been talking to him and placing my hand in the cage, but not to touch him, only putting it there while just speaking to him softly. That way he can get use to my hand so eventually I hope I can get him to perch on my finger. I also have played peek-a-boo with him which I think he enjoys lol

Thanks a lot!

[Mydoona]

it just takes time...having only one helps as they are social creatures and will eventually seek out your company.I've had my new one for nearly three months and she still doesn't like me but as I already have a velcro-bird, I can understand why she is scared....but each day I am making little tiny steps of progress and so will you.

[michael]

I got a lovebird yesterday which the sales clerk told me he was one year old. My questions are when will I know he trusts me and is comfortable with me? Since he is one year old will it be harder to bond with him than ones that are around a few months old? And occasionally he does squeak, but what's the different between squeaks? Like being scared or just talking?

Since yesterday I have been talking to him and placing my hand in the cage, but not to touch him, only putting it there while just speaking to him softly. That way he can get use to my hand so eventually I hope I can get him to perch on my finger. I also have played peek-a-boo with him which I think he enjoys lol

Thanks a lot!

When will I know if my bird trusts me and is comfortable with me?

This is really a good question in that even though some birds may seem to remain at a standoff due to individual traits or personality, they may still feel as though your the flock leader, not only using you for guidance but even trusting you as well. Whichever way this relationship works out can take plenty of time and depends on many factors such as your personal interaction, environment, and even behavior relative to gender, etc etc. Regardless of how your relationship turns out, especially in comparison to others who share a close bonded relationship should in itself still be considered very special and an important part of you and your birds life. Generally, the advice most frequently given to anyone just introduced to companion birds is to give them plenty of love and a huge helping of patience.

Can his age make it more difficult to bond with him?

Even though its most desirable to start a relationship at the earliest age possible, this doesn't mean it will make for all the difference in the world. In fact, it may not make much difference at all. Quite honestly, I think even at a year old you still have plenty of time to form a wonderful relationship with your bird. There are exceptions of course in that some birds who have been abused or are suffering from separation anxiety (as in due to their owners death or given up for adoption base on various reasons) that can make a rather huge difference. And yes, some parrots can become set in their ways after several years. As for being a year old, you may just as well consider your new companion a baby even though they are deemed "mature" at that age.

So what is all the squeaking about?

This could very well be little contact calls in trying to locate other flock members.....Or.....he may simply be attempting to communicate with you. General "squeaking" is usually a good thing. Although when it becomes a constant rat-a-tat-tat along with a noticable amount of agitation like frantically running around the cage, then you can figure there's some sort of discomfort involved. Its important that over time you try to learn what each individual noise your bird makes really means, even if they do remain a bit confusing at times :roll:.

You know, it sounds like your moving along just fine by speaking softly to him and offering your finger or hand for "step up". This is really the best way to start forming the trust you both need. Offering small treats can help too, but its really not necessary to use them all the time as birds can still enjoy the interaction even without food. You know, there are many great idea's available throughout the forums here as well as the loads of information in the "Lovebird Resource Library". If your still unsure about anything though please let us know as everyone here is so helpful. Keep us posted!.............:)

[Chloe]

There was a toy or actually plastic clips which are chain together which was given to him free from the sales clerk as a treat, well some treat that was as he got caught on it twice. First time he got caught on it, he was freaking out and squeaking. I thought he wouldn't go the same route, but guess I was wrong as the second time he got caught on it again and I was going to help him out by getting him off, but he got away before I assisted and finally I took out that darn free toy and afterwards he was freaking out and squeaking, but this time he was flapping his wings as if he was telling me it scared him.

I don't know, but it felt that way to me and to help I calmed him down by talking to him softly saying he'll be fine now since the toy is gone. I just hoped it didn't affect what we started.

Anyhow, in the morning today as I was by his cage saying hello before leaving to school, he was squeaking and flapping his wings again, but this time he wagged his tail too. It confused me since I am not use to his squeaks of what yet. What did it mean? Was he still freaked out?

Thanks!

[linda040899]

Anyhow, in the morning today as I was by his cage saying hello before leaving to school, he was squeaking and flapping his wings again, but this time he wagged his tail too. It confused me since I am not use to his squeaks of what yet. What did it mean? Was he still freaked out?
Actually, the body language you saw before you went to school this morning is not negative. Excited chirps and wing flapping is to get attention and it sounds like he wanted your attention, since it started when you approached his cage to say good morning. I view this as positive. Lovebirds are very social and like as much attention as they can get! I would say that this is a step in the right direction.

Good riddance to the toy! Getting caught on it is not a good thing so it doesn't need to be in his cage. Free does not always mean safe. Pet shops sell a lot of products for birds that are not safe or they should not have. If in doubt, ask us here.

[Chloe]

Ohh ok thanks a lot! So he still wants my attention even though he's afraid of me like when getting near the cage, he would back up or move to a different place? Or if I try sticking my hand in the cage, but not touching him.

[linda040899]

You've only had him a few days so I would stick to just getting near the cage and talking to him. You know that you mean him no harm but he has to learn that via experience. Just talk to him until you've had him for about a week and then try feeding him treats through the bars of the cage. Putting your hand inside his home is a major step and he isn't quite ready for that yet. Patience is the key to a trust relationship and it will be worth the wait, time and effort. :)

[Chloe]

I hoped putting my hand in the cage for a few times didn't affect what was growing, but thank you I will definitely take your advice!

Once after he accepts my treat through the bars, I am able to move on to the next step of bonding?

[michael]

I hoped putting my hand in the cage for a few times didn't affect what was growing, but thank you I will definitely take your advice!

Once after he accepts my treat through the bars, I am able to move on to the next step of bonding?

I think one good way to view this would be for bonding to be somewhat of an ongoing process beginning from the very first day you both were introduced to each other. In short, birds have a specific role to complete in what would otherwise be their own environment/society. Because your the "only" available partner makes you a very good candidate for a would be "mate". Although this doesn't necessarily mean you'll be accepted, or, once you do "bond" should another lovebird happen by you won't get dumped :roll:. It does mean your odds are pretty good. If I may add a bit, the position we really hope for in a sense is to instead become the "flock leader" as opposed to being the "mate". Some reasons for this are rather obvious as in Bubblekings video :rolleyes:, and others concern the overall physical and mental health of our companions. This is the reason that while we accept with "great understanding" and "without consequence" what sexual behavior our birds may act out, we try "not to encourage" any extracurricular activity that may in fact become stressful.....................:)

[Chloe]

In the daytime and afternoon, I will put the cage outside on my balconey and he would try to be social with the wild birds that are chirping elsewhere. For me to be able to bond with him, should I take him to a quiet room like the bathroom to talk to him so he would only pay attention to me? I mean if I call him he would look at me, but once the other wild birds start chirping his attention isn't on me anymore.

Or should I just leave him where he is and just continue to talk to him and eventually he'll come around?

Edit: By the way I think he wants to get out of the cage as more of the wild birds are chirping. He starts by climbing to the right side of the cage and then down onto the bottom floor of the cage and walks back and forth horizontally and tries to bite off the string which ties the ride side door, what should I do? And also he seems to enjoy climbing on top inside the cage like a lot? Could he be exploring or?

[michael]

Obviously, his attention will be focused on on all the other activity going on around him, especially if their birds. So whether or not he'll pay attention to you may or may not depend on the relationship you two have already. Even my lovebird once he's outside will do his best to communicate with all the social events be it birds or otherwise and will usually be more interested in the noisey birds outside than he is of me. Or even inside too if he see's them out the windows 8o. You may want to compare this to "like a kid in a candy store" who's interest level is greatly diminished along with a tad bit out of control :nyah:. You could still though continue to talk to him, but what effect it will have or how much he'll listen may become very restricted.

You know, there has been great concern regarding taking our caged lovebirds out of doors for sunshine or fresh air. Because of the dangers associated with this such as hawks, cats, and escape, many poeple have decided its not worth the risks. It takes constant supervision at close range before any companion bird should be placed outside. After all the terrible things that have happened over the last years over parrots being attacked or lost within the blink of an eye, I made comment as to not ever taking my lovebird outside again. Well, recently with all the sunny days and warmer weather I did bring him out with me whenever I could while working on papers or something minor. You can bet not only did I have his wings slightly clipped, but securing his cage was of the upmost importance. I also choose not to be any farther then 7-8 feet from his cage where its been placed up off the ground and always in plain view. As for you bird climbing around his cage, thats pretty normal. Does your bird ever use any of the perches inside his cage?

What really has me worried is your birds attempts to chew through the string thats securing the doors or windows to his cage. This is very dangerous as lovebirds are capable of chewing through or pushing up sliding doors/windows etc in a matter of a second or two. Unless you can be absolutely sure theres no way for him to escape I would keep him indoors. I must also add, some cages can become quite dangerous should they have sliding type "guillotine" windows or doors as some birds have been known to perish by either escaping through or becoming stuck while trying to get out. Please!...Check your lovebirds cage thoroughly to make sure its both safe and secure.................:)

[Chloe]

I check often to see how he's doing and about his cage door, it is tied, but even if he bites off the thing, he still can't open the door due to one of the perch is blocking it, do you get what I mean?

Also what about him wanting to get out of his cage so he can join his "wild friends" like walking horizontally back and forth by the right side door?

[michael]

I check often to see how he's doing and about his cage door, it is tied, but even if he bites off the thing, he still can't open the door due to one of the perch is blocking it, do you get what I mean?

Also what about him wanting to get out of his cage so he can join his "wild friends" like walking horizontally back and forth by the right side door?

In regards to his cage door I'm not entirely sure as to why it must be tied or how his perch would block an attempt at exiting his cage. Some members have secured their cage only to find a parrot on their shoulder a few seconds later :omg:. Others have returned home to find an empty cage resulting in frantic search efforts. All I know is, most all parrots are capable of much more than what we may often believe.

Because in your view he has shown some preference to joining his "wild friends", this could place him at a greater risk for escape. Generally, when birds walk repeatedly back and forth they may often be very excited or nervous about their surroundings. Really, this is just a word or two of caution in that the last thing we want to hear about is someone else losing their precious companion................:(....................:)

[Chloe]

Is there a way to stop his behavior?

[michael]

Is there a way to stop his behavior?

Well. Yes! :) The new ladder, perches, and other things you've mentioned in your post "some toys and ladders" may very well do the trick. I've also got a feeling the millet will be very popular too :rolleyes:. Also, lovebirds really like swings. You know, those long ladders like the one shown in your link I've never seen anyone have too much luck with. I could be wrong though. What do you think about a swing instead?.....Those perches look pretty nice, especially the tree shaped one. The only thing you may find is that his cage can run out of room rather quickly. I should also mention that spending time away from the distractions of other birds may help in creating an atmosphere better suited in getting to know and trust each other. I have a feeling that because your lovebird is new to his surroundings he still has quite a bit of adjusting to do before getting himself comfortable. Have you checked out the "Lovebird Resource Library" yet? Below the breeding section there is another section that reads "Information related to the care of lovebirds". Under that there is a **Must reads** topic. There you will find "Robin's new owners guide". Besides the many specific forums you can review, this is a very good place to start gathering information about lovebirds and their care. Whats especially nice here is if your still unsure about anything, you can always ask!.........;)

[Mummieeva]

Instead of string to tie it I would go with small luggage locks or quick links. You can get them at many stores. I have a cage that the doors slide up and down and use them on it. Birds can become escape artists and try to get through spaces much to small for them.



Steph