OMG!

[PlasteredDaddy]

It happened practically over night. I was getting Treats comfortable jumping on a spare perch when I would let him out of the cage, so I finally go to clean it and put him back inside without touching him. That was a great big step, so I kept bringing him in and out of the cage daily. Well, yesterday I woke up early when it was just me and my oldest daughter awake. She asked me to take out Treats so I did and let him off the perch onto a pillow. I then got this random thought, "Hey lets see if Treats will eat some millet from my hands." Bang! He was eating it, all of it right down to the last seed near the tip of my finger. I then proceeded to stand up and scared him so he flew off the couch. I went after him and said to my daughter, "Well, he ate from my hands maybe he'll jump on my finger." Then this happened, and I couldn't have done it with all your help..

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/3797/treats.th.jpg (http://img215.imageshack.us/i/treats.jpg/)

and this..

http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/1985/treats1.th.jpg (http://img825.imageshack.us/i/treats1.jpg/)

We went crazy. Treats has been jumping on my whole family all day yesterday and today, even the baby, which we found out isn't probably safe, she tried to grab him. He's on my shoulder right now as I type this, but it's leaving me with a question. It seems strange that out of nowhere Treats is instantly tame to my hands, he even lets me grab him, but no one else. Is it common for Lovebirds to just instantly be friendly? From what I've read birds that are one day afraid and the next tame could be sick. Should I be worried?

[linda040899]

Man, that's one HUGE step forward!!!!! Glad to hear it!

Remember my words. Let Treats come to you and that's exactly what's happened. Through experience with you, however short amount of time it was, he's found that you make an excellent flock member so you've been "assimilated"!

Yes, it can happen just that quickly once you are not viewed as something that can potentially harm him. Lovebirds are naturally curious so that worked in your favor, too. :) As long as he's active, eating, droppings look normal, I would say everything is OK.

Do you have an avian vet in case you should ever have an emergency where Treats would require medical help? If not, it might be a good idea to look around and see who's close to you. We have 2 links in our Resource Library to find avian vets, as well. I keep phone numbers handy so I never have to go very far should I have to make a quick appointment! I would also check into emergency clinics, too.

[One bird for one heart.]

Congrats nothing can ever compare to the love from a lovie!

[bookworm0550]

how exciting and awesome :)

[Chickobee]

Congratulations. That is wonderful news. When you've been patient and waited for it to happen it's so great when it finally does! :happy:

[penelope's person]

Oh my goodness! That is so great! I've been practicing using a t-stand with mine and have found similar results with the eating of millet right out of my hand!

It seems to me that when they make up their mind to do something, it's nearly instant and there's no looking back!

Congratulations!!!

[PlasteredDaddy]

Thanks everyone. I came home from work early today, sat down next to the cage for about an hour, then decided to try and get Treats out. I slowly stuck my hand in the cage and Treats ran off frightened to the same corner of the cage that he used to when he was scared. Still, I pursued slowly and he hopped on my finger only to fly off when I got him out of his cage, I got him on again and he flew off again so I just put him back in his cage since it seemed he wasn't in the mood to come out. Any pointers in what it means? I mean he shouldn't be that scared if he jumped on my finger twice, three times rather since he got back on when I went to put him back in his cage, he must still trust me right?

Also I was wondering if anyone could tell me how active a young Lovebird like Treats should be. My wife and daughter tell me Treats makes tons of noise when I'm at work, jumps around to his swing and plays 2-3 times a day, but when I come home around 4:30-5:00, almost everyday he usually looks tired and just stands on his perches fluffy only chirping for a few short periods and only moving to eat or drink, is this normal? Thanks in advance guys.