Young lovebird questions

[DanR]

So...I have a new lovebird, and I had it for about 3 months now, and I got her at 12 weeks old. When I first got her, she was all scared, which didn't surprise me, but lately I've been noticing her behavior lately and I'm curious if it's normal for her age. She seems to do a whole lot of nothing at best. She chirps and makes noises around noon when people are home, and she makes noises usually when I have music playing or some kind of noise in the background. She is still very scared of people...mostly just hands and faces. It's weird cuz she knows how to climb into my hand and she knows how to step-up, but for some reason she still seems terrified of hands, and usually she backs up as much as she can before she'll step-up. Usually she'll try to fly away, but I guess the clipped wings hasn't taught her she can't get very far, so she keeps trying. She rarely plays with toys in her cage, and I tried many varieties of toys. She doesn't bite or nibble at all. Basically she's just scared of people and doesn't have much of a personality. 10 years ago I had a lovebird and I got her at 9 months and she was already all playful, and had an attitude to go with it....better than a watchdog =P Anyway, I could use some help with this if it is at all possible. I just don't have any other way of teaching her anything if she's just going to try and run away all the time. Any help is appreciated =)

[Pips mom]

Wow, I've never heard of a lovebird like this! Sorry I don't think I can be of much help on this one.....mine both LOVE toys, are happy, playful and do lots of amusing things every day! Rudy is still scared of us and hands too, but he still socializes with me in his way at his pace. Pip is just a fearless little thing.....he doesn't like hands, but he's not scared of them! Not scared of much, that one!

[buddy]

Hi DanR,

I have a masked lovebird hen just like yours she doesn't play with her toys much, she isn't really scared of me but she's just not interested in socializing!
She doesn't talk to much just occasionly mumbles to herself, total opposite of buddy my other masked who never shuts up haha!
She does love to go outside though! Then she makes a fair racket!

[Glam]

My Holly is TERRIFIED of anything new, be it a something as small as a bean or a large new swing. It takes them some time to get "used" to new things.

I bought her a new swing some time ago and when I put it in her cage she went ballistic. She was so scared of it and wouldn't come out from under her newspaper. I was advised to try and put it on the outside of the cage for a few days, so she could get a little more used to it. Which I did, and then placed it in her cage. She was still scared of it, but was happy to allow it to remain in her cage... took her about 4 months to stand on it.

Just have some patience, your lovie may just need more time :)

[Glam]

Her nickname is "Chicken" cos she is so scared of new things!

[Gill]

I have two Parrotlets (the now ex boyfriend left them with me when he went as he didnt want them anymore!) who are ever so scared of everything, including their own shadow, I say to them every now and then that if I was going to eat them I would have done it by now, but they too can sit for hours without moving.

Before we got Squeaky his mate (Gerkin) he literally didnt move all day, he was rescued by my ex from a family who didnt want him, he had no toys in his cage so the three years of his life before us must have been very uneventful, Gerkin has brought him out of his shell a bit but she is just as scared as he is.

Its funny when they are moving around and i pop my head round the door to watch them they freeze! Neither play with their toys, sometimes they chew on the rope perch but thats it!

[michael]

So...I have a new lovebird, and I had it for about 3 months now, and I got her at 12 weeks old..... ......She is still very scared of people........

.......Anyway, I could use some help with this if it is at all possible. I just don't have any other way of teaching her anything if she's just going to try and run away all the time. Any help is appreciated =)

Hi DanR. .... Whats your lovebirds name? .... Most parrots, especially from the time they fledge until they reach maturity, will exhibit various changes in behavior. Some may start out then remain somewhat docile, others, once their hormones kick in, can become excedingly independent. Add to this new social interactions, new environment, and you now have a miriad of influences that may, in one way or another, encompass your lovebirds personality. .... All this can be scarey for a lovebird, and thus confusing for the owner.

Really, although I think your lovie is still in this relative stage of development, rest assured, even after she matures, there will still be plenty years left for learning. ... For some birds, hands and feet may be seen as separate bodies and not at all part of the whole human anatomy. While over time some might make the connection, others may simply learn to trust hands and feet. Of course, there's always a few that will prefer to view things as they see fit. ... As a matter of fact, I keep a very good example of one of those myself..........:rolleyes:

The fact that your bird "steps up" is certainly a plus. Not only does this show she's willing to learn, but she's also willing to accept what others might view as a complete intrusion. .. Are there lots of poeple around? ..That can keep a parrot on guard for a good long while. For some, cage location could make a difference. ... Have you allowed plenty opportunity for her to explore (supervised) on her own? .. It is possible, that whenever she flies/gets away, should she then find her so called niche', she may begin to feel more at ease. ...Just gotta make sure she has complete access to her cage (safety zone). ...Anythings possible!

Did someone mention patience, and that your lovie may just need more time? ...Add a big dose of love, and i'd definitely go along with that!...........:)

[Chickobee]

Hi Dan;

I am also wondering about the placement of your bird cage. Having it against a wall or in a corner can make a bird feel safer and more secure since it will not need to guard itself from predators in all directions.

You know that you mean your bird no harm but it may take quite a while before your bird understands this. Also, if you have a very active household it may take some time for your bird to adjust to the activity and noises. In the beginning everything will be percieved as a threat.

Going slowly with your bird and not forcing interaction too soon will actually be faster in the long run than trying to force him to do things he is afraid of. A bird who is fearful will eventually learn to bite in self defense and how you respond to that could reinforce those behaviors.

Maybe right now it would work better to back up a bit and give your bird more time to adjust. Then go more slowly and let your bird set the pace on coming to you.

It may also help to limit the times when you interact with your bird to only about five minutes each time, but do it frequently. Also say hello to your bird whenever you walk by and if he knows step ups you could take him out frequently to say a quick hello but then put him right back in his cage.

Some birds do not know what their toys are for and it may take a while for them to figure it out. My babies all begin their lives with lots of toys and swings in the cages so they are not afraid of them. Other breeders do not provide any at all so the birds don't know what they are and don't know what to do with them. My babies learn this from their parents and the other babies so they are not fearful of toys in their new homes.

I've found that patience and love will work wonders with any bird--with the exception of some hens during breeding cycle. Then all bets are off!

I hope all goes well. It just sounds like your bird is afraid and trying not to call attention to itself by being quiet and still.

[DanR]

There aren't many people here, just 3..and only 1 or 2 people here at once. When I first got her I had her on my desk, against the wall to maybe try and get her to feel comfortable around me, since I'm there a lot after work. I've also let her do what she wants basically outside of her cage, tho I never leave her roam free without me in the room. She usually just finds somewhere high to stand on and just watch over everything in the room and groom herself...all she really does. I recently moved her up in the living room area in the corner where it's bigger. She was quiet for a while and soon started her daily chirping at the same times. I do let her out a lot, though...a few minutes here and there a day.

[michael]

Hi DanR. ... How about we put all our expectations aside (as we know how far those can go in a parrots world :rolleyes:), and maybe try things at a different perspective. .... Can you tell us a few things about your previous lovebird? ... What was it you found that was most special about him/her?

And....Could you please, TELL US YOUR LOVEBIRDS NAMES!........:)