Scared of Hands

[Mango]

I recently got a lovebird (Mango) after much consideration.

I was prepared for screeching, mess, biting, chewing, picky eating... but I was not ready for this.

My lovebird is scared of hands! He paces by the side of his cage like he wants to get out, but as soon as someone puts their hand in he starts shrieking and running away. He vibrates when I pet him but runs away the second I stop.

Maybe this is just an ordinary stage? He is 10-11 weeks old and has been in our house for about 1 week. He used to be caged with other lovebirds.

Thanks!

[linda040899]

Hi Tamar,
Many lovebirds are either afraid of or don't like hands. To some birds, human hands are just plain EVIL, even if those same hands do pleasant things for them!

Suggestion, how about letting Mango come out of his cage and offering either your hand (fingers closed so that the hand looks more like a fist) or your arm. You can also offer a perch for him to step up onto. The vibrating means he really likes what you are doing but it could also be that there are other interesting things to explore in his new world! Exploring is very typical with the age of your lovebird. :)

[Enko_chan]

Try holding out your arm for him, or a hand palm-up fingers together. Many birds are afraid of hands, or just plain dislike them. Your bird is young and needs some time to get used to it.

I'd give you more information, but my little bird is preening me painfully and I must stop his little preen-frenzy!

[bookworm0550]

it's normal for birds to not like hands. one of mine hates hands and fingers, but he'll eat from them though. perhaps giving him a treat? and yes, let him come out of the cage on his term and he will. he's prob scared cuz this big hand is coming at him.

[LovelySydney]

Oliver is afraid of hands until he is out of his cage, then he couldn't care less if you are holding him or touching him. I would just let him get used to his surroundings, its only been a week. He has to get used to his new environment and especially being with no other birds (you said he was caged with other birds) this is a whole new world for him!!! Just take it day by day, patience and persistence!

[Rannveig]

I had the same thing with my lovie when I got her...
The problem was gone when she got to deside the speed of the training her self. I worked long and hard, with NO STRESS at all.... I held an piece of aple in my hand every time, and I held my arm completly still, all the time. All of this happened INSIDE the cage.

I'we heard that if you let a bird out of its cage before tame... it will take longer to make it tame..!! And one thing, a bird tames faster when its in a cage alone. You can use a smaller cage when training, until you have reached to hand-tame :)

Mango, be patient with youre bird, and offer something good for the bird.. at last the bird will look at youre hand and connect it to something good :D

One last thing: DON'T TOUCH THE BIRD WHILE ITS AFRAID OF YOU!!!!

Good luck :D

[Mango]

Thanks, everyone. :)
I really appreciate it.