Can you predict temperament from baby personality?

[StephH]

Hey guys! I'm new to this forum :) It's just been a hectic holiday break so I'm combining my "nice to meet you all" with my burning question. Sooo nice to meet you all! I'm Stephanie I might be a new lovebird owner-to-be but I'm definitely not new to birds. A friend of my mom's got baby lovebirds from her pair a while ago and I'm handfeeding one of them. I have plenty of experience handfeeding and weaning so I know what I'm doing. I'm not sure if I'll keep him/her yet because I've read things about lovebirds that sound like they may not be exactly what I'm looking for, but I think one would fit into my life just fine (I just might not get the calm, sit on my shoulder content type of bird). I also don't want one that will be super nippy and moody, but I know that every lovebird is an individual and that you can't really generalize. They also all have different histories (ie. Not everyone gets a handfed baby, not everyone gets to handfeed their baby, etc). So I wonder, if this baby is imprinted to me, will he always have at least a smidgen of trust in me and not one day hate me? Also, right now he's very calm, great eater, sleeps cupped in my hand and always wants to sleep against me somehow whether it's my hand or my arm or my boyfriend's arm. If I try to slide my hand away slowly he scoots over and leans against my hand and resituates himself in my hand. This one loves to snuggle and I've read that a lot of adults love to snuggle too. Do you think his adult personality will reflect his baby personality? Cause I know a lot of birds change as they mature, but I wasn't sure if this was significant enough to be indicative of his future temperament. I guess no one can know for sure, but I thought I would ask the lovebird experts anyway! Thanks so much in advance guys :)!

[linda040899]

As a breeder, I've found that babies tend to have personalities similar to their parents. Many of my flock are sweet and easy going. I do have some that are feisty and many members like that type of personality. Each bird is an individual so it can be hard to say. You pretty much have to play it by ear and get to know your own lovie. Many lovebirds enjoy hanging out with their human slaves but keep in mind that lovebirds are also very busy birds. Sitting quietly in one place may or may not happen!

[Mummieeva]

I only have experience with one baby lovie. Mine was fed by mom(dad passed away) and socialized by me. She took after her mom as she did nip some. But she also loved being on me and playing in my hair.lol. Like Linda said just play it by ear. Normally hens are the more feisty ones.

[StephH]

Hm okay, thanks! That was very helpful :) I don't know the parents but I can ask. The one I'm handfeeding has 4 other siblings and none of them are too scared of people, but a couple would rather run away. This one came to me and didn't want to climb off my hand haha. I think there was a lutino that had a similar personality but still not as friendly as this one. I just hope his personality stays because he's so sweet! And I also hope he's a boy so he doesn't get too hormonal during breeding season haha.

[linda040899]

Even parent fed babies can be wonderful pets! Success in the taming department lies in the handling rather than in the hand feeding. One without the other will still result in a parrot that will not be as friendly as one who has been handled a lot. Trust comes with familiarity.

Lovebirds are very social and can turn into quite the velcro birdie!

[Z28Taxman]

Lovebirds are very social and can turn into quite the velcro birdie!

Ditto is the perfect example of that. He'd be glued to my shoulder or hand if I'd let him. His favorite food dish is my hand.

[StephH]

Ditto is the perfect example of that. He'd be glued to my shoulder or hand if I'd let him. His favorite food dish is my hand.

Aww that's so cute! That's the kind of bird I want :) but one that isn't just attached to me. If that's Ditto in your picture, he looks just like my baby except with a lighter face! Soo pretty. I love the pieds :)

[Z28Taxman]

Aww that's so cute! That's the kind of bird I want :) but one that isn't just attached to me. If that's Ditto in your picture, he looks just like my baby except with a lighter face! Soo pretty. I love the pieds :)

Yep, that's Ditto! :happy: