not doing so good

[peppero1]

I have had birds in my life since I was young. Parakeets, ducks, chickens etc. But having a single love bird, that I have now, is becoming a difficult experience and quite a chore these days.

I have had my bird for almost 4 years now and he is becoming very annoying and willful. I know that parrots are generally willful, but this bird does nothing but sqwauk and chirp all day and in the most aggrivating way. Like a scream for attention, but when I go to him he runs away. He will go the cage door and sit on the ledge and when I gesture for him to step up, he runs back into the cage. When I take him out of his cage he just wants to hide in some corner or go to his sleeping cage and happy hut.

The bird isn't particularly interested in interacting with anyone in my house. Also, he has yet to show any sexual characteristics, like humping or regurjitating and he is almost 4 years old. The man who sold him to me said he was a male, and I assume he is correct as I would expect to find eggs after having him for 4 years if he was a female. The only strange, possibly sexual, activity he does, is when he is on his playstand he spreads his wings out, sort of like he is displaying.I am not sure if this is sexual or territorial behaviour.

The bird doesn't really bite and he allows me to handle him alot,,, I like to pet him and cuddle him etc, but it is clear that he likes nothing more than to be free of my clutches.

I really wonder what can be done to make this 'partnership' more interactive and rewarding, because as it is now, he isn't interested in anyone and the constant sqwauking is really driving me crazy.

Here are some background facts so that anyone that is able can give some serious advice:
-he was purchased at a local pet shop and addicted to seeds. I now give him a mixed seed and pellet diet.
-he has a huge cage, with lots of toys
-he gets at least three or four hours of out-of-cage time per day
-he gets lots of natural sunlight as his cage is in the sun-room
-his wings were clipped but have since grown back, and he can basically fly around if he wants/needs to.
-he has a playstand in the living room and a small cage with happy hut in a third room where he goes for sleeping.
-he generally gets about 10 hours of sleep a night, but he usually wakes up earlier and sqwauks to get out. He rarely sleeps 12 hours, but usually sqwauks to get out earlier, though the room is kept dark.
-the house is empty during the day, so he is alone during this time. Though he can see outside. On my days off sometimes I just pretend it is a normal day when I am not home to see what he does all day, and he just sqwauks non stop.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[lemonypickett]

I think a wing clip is in order. Eddie has been getting bratty ever since his grew back in. I would start there.

[michael]

I have had birds in my life since I was young. Parakeets, ducks, chickens etc. But having a single love bird, that I have now, is becoming a difficult experience and quite a chore these days.

I have had my bird for almost 4 years now and he is becoming very annoying and willful. I know that parrots are generally willful, but this bird does nothing but sqwauk and chirp all day and in the most aggrivating way. Like a scream for attention, but when I go to him he runs away. He will go the cage door and sit on the ledge and when I gesture for him to step up, he runs back into the cage. When I take him out of his cage he just wants to hide in some corner or go to his sleeping cage and happy hut.

The bird isn't particularly interested in interacting with anyone in my house. Also, he has yet to show any sexual characteristics, like humping or regurjitating and he is almost 4 years old. The man who sold him to me said he was a male, and I assume he is correct as I would expect to find eggs after having him for 4 years if he was a female. The only strange, possibly sexual, activity he does, is when he is on his playstand he spreads his wings out, sort of like he is displaying.I am not sure if this is sexual or territorial behaviour.

The bird doesn't really bite and he allows me to handle him alot,,, I like to pet him and cuddle him etc, but it is clear that he likes nothing more than to be free of my clutches.

I really wonder what can be done to make this 'partnership' more interactive and rewarding, because as it is now, he isn't interested in anyone and the constant sqwauking is really driving me crazy.

Here are some background facts so that anyone that is able can give some serious advice:
-he was purchased at a local pet shop and addicted to seeds. I now give him a mixed seed and pellet diet.
-he has a huge cage, with lots of toys
-he gets at least three or four hours of out-of-cage time per day
-he gets lots of natural sunlight as his cage is in the sun-room
-his wings were clipped but have since grown back, and he can basically fly around if he wants/needs to.
-he has a playstand in the living room and a small cage with happy hut in a third room where he goes for sleeping.
-he generally gets about 10 hours of sleep a night, but he usually wakes up earlier and sqwauks to get out. He rarely sleeps 12 hours, but usually sqwauks to get out earlier, though the room is kept dark.
-the house is empty during the day, so he is alone during this time. Though he can see outside. On my days off sometimes I just pretend it is a normal day when I am not home to see what he does all day, and he just sqwauks non stop. Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi peppero. Thank you for sharing all the details about your lovebird. Perhaps this information will help us in providing a few answers/ideas for you. You know, I too have grown up around various different species of animals and birds. Even a couple ostrich's. Try comparing them to a lovebird :)! Believe me, regardless whether we are comparing them or not, lovebirds are in a class by themselves.

I understand four years can seem like a long time especially if circumstances don't appear to be much better from a behavioral standpoint. While there can be many reasons that may explain your lovebirds specific behavior, keep in mind there has to remain a balance between whats only natural and other factors as well.

It kind of sounds as if your lovebird may be suffering some insecurities, and even though four years does seem a bit long, time may have little effect if "without realizing it" the wrong changes are made along the way. For instance, a wing clip for some birds may offer a certain degree of compliance helpful towards building a positive relationship yet for a small percentage due to environmental reasons or otherwise, or even just their personality, they will outright refuse your advances whether clipped or not.

It does indeed sound as though you have a male lovebird. The fact that there have been no eggs (yet) along with the spreading of both wings certainly does point towards a male. Unfortunately, unless you have him DNA sexed or are very familiar with visually sexing lovebirds (even the most experienced have been "tricked" a few times) you can only "assume" there's a good chance he's a he. As for stretching out "both" wings, this would generally be the male sexual display whereas "not likely" territorial in nature.

When you say your bird doesn't really bite and allows you to handle him alot, I can only add this..... It does not appear to no longer be uncommon for some poeple to simply not realize that what they have now is what others may only hope for later. If your lovebird not only allows you to handle him alot while at the same time doesn't bite, this would be considered a godsend to those who's lovebird would instead just as soon remove their flesh :omg:. Granted, four years would seem a long time to remain at one particular plateau in life, but then, you have to wonder about those who feel three days is a long time :roll:. That said, it could very well be you already have a tame lovebird who's constant sqwauking and/or emotional discomfort (if there is any) may be caused by some other "unrelated factors".

First, I'd like to say you've done a wonderful job in providing the many things that are necessary for your special companion. Big cage, toys, playstand, another small cage, plenty room with the freedom to fly around, better diet, etc, etc.....What more can a single bird ask for?..... Right?.....Wrong!... For one thing, parrots have no concept that what we provide for them adds up to anything monumental be it emotionally or otherwise. Often, we give our children what WE think they need, yet sometimes forget about whats more important. Please, join the crowd >o.

When you say he is not "interested in anyone", does this mean you or others as well? Many lovebirds will only pick one person to have a relationship/bond with. A good start here may be to toss out your own perception of how his life really is and try to view it through his eye's instead.

Diet can play a big role in how a parrot views the environment in which they live. By changing your lovebirds diet from an all seed one to adding pellets is a good thing. The bad part is we can only substitute so many pellets in the place of seeds. Too many pellets (more than 30-40%) and we do more harm than good. Not only this, but it leaves our birds with a seemingly "uninteresting" diet along with the most important foods being left out. Thank gosh for those individuals who are "really stubborn" we have loads of information in this website about not only what to give them but how to get them to eat more interesting and healthy foods. By offering other food alternatives by hand or perhaps in a small dish nearby, this can result in a healthier happier lovebird. And, who knows what else this may lead to.

With respect to his cage and environment, its possible he may need a change or two. As I mentioned earlier about providing all the essentials WE think they need, there may be some THEY don't. What I found for my own single yet complex little companion is that some toys are very disturbing towards him. I'm sure he views some of them as outright enemies that belong on the suns surface. Sometimes though, this is good aggression, and other times its not. Hard to tell, but if removing them makes a positive difference it may be worth a try. Happy huts on the other hand can be very well accepted but then offer a great reason to stay cage bound. Afterall, they are worth protecting. Really though, I hate to suggest removing anything that makes our birds comfy and secure unless it somehow becomes an obvious problem. Temporarily removing then replacing at bedtime may give that answer.

Obviously, cages are very important when providing comfort for our birds as well as where we decide to put them. Sunrooms can provide a great advantage (with the exception of flying into windows) that may allow them a greater sense of freedom. Problem is, we can offer the best cage in the world, yet if we place it in the wrong location it becomes a torture chamber. His cage may be in such a location whereas instead of making him secure he feels threatened. That alone could keep any bird in a state of constant defense. Changing his cage location next to a wall may be one more option you could try.

I think there are many things you could try that may help in creating a more comfortable atmosphere for both you and your lovebird. We must also understand our expectations alone here can be of very little value, especially when they start to excede other important objectives. One of the most important parts of keeping companion birds is accepting them as they are, and quite frankly, being noisey little creatures at heart is only part of their "natural behavior". An active lovebird making contact calls along with other various "interesting" sounds is often viewed as a healthy one. However, if it is felt their vocalizing through stress, abandonment, or some other discomfort, then an effort to find the cause should be made followed by the necessary changes to help provide better care. Hope this helps a bit..............:)