Cage time

[Tsukimi's person]

So, Tsukimi LOVES out of cage time, however she won't come out on her own. I have to grab her with a towel and then gently release her on the floor, but is this the right thing to do? I hate having to chase her around the cage sometimes, and I feel like a bad guy, but after I take her out and cover her cage she becomes so curious, skittering around, stretching her neck trying to see everything while keeping an eye on me (but mostly my hands). There doesn't seem to be any negative effects on our slow-growing relationship, should I continue? (Note: I do my school online so I generally stay in my room for most of the day, and during that time I keep her cage door open.)

[Lovie]

I'm sort of an amateur, but I did want to try to give some tips. First of all, she still doesn't seem to be all that comfortable around hands, which is pretty normal. What sorts of things have you done so far in your effort to tame her? Stepping up is one of the first things a parrot should learn to do because it helps the owner in many ways, such as getting Tsukimi out of her cage. For now, I don't think getting her out with a towel is a mortal sin or anything, but eventually, you should move on to getting her to step up.

[longobongo]

First off, congrats on your new baby! In my experience, developing a relationship with a lovebird is slow at first. If I were you, I would avoid reaching in and grabbing the bird at all costs. You want her association with your hands to be positive (and even then, some birds are never okay with hands). What I would do, is leave the cage door open and let her come out by herself. Eventually, her curiosity will get the better of her (especially if she's already had a taste of out-of-cage time). During the day, if you become impatient and you have some time to spare, put some millet or sunflower seeds on the palm of your hand and stick it in her cage and just sort of leave it there. I also like to talk to my birds in a nice soft comforting voice, just to let them know what I'm doing and that I don't mean any harm. Eventually, my birds ate directly out of my hands and sometimes would even hop on to come out with me. You could also try to coerce her to come out of the cage with your hands, but always try to give her a choice. Grabbing her and pulling her out of her cage doesn't really give her an opportunity to decide that she doesn't want to right then and there, and it could eventually cause her to bite you to communicate that. I think your best bet is to leave the cage door open, lovebirds are very very curious and regardless of how timid she might be at first, she WILL come out on her own eventually.

Good luck! I know right now it seems difficult and uncertain and I've certainly had a few "THIS BIRD WILL NEVER LOVE ME" moments myself, but patience really does go a long way.

[Tsukimi's person]

Thank you for your replies! She'll eat millet out of my hands most of the time, and the palm of my hand but just not as often. I'm working to reach stepping up right now, just getting her used to my hands near her on the perch, or petting her beak. She WILL try to bite if I get too close, but I keep out of her way now. (I do let her nibble on my fingers sometimes when I'm holding something new.) I also whistle or sing to her a lot. I didn't get to say this yesterday, but literally 6 mins. after I posted, she decided to climb out herself and explore the top of her cage. :rolleyes: Lovebirds can look very smug can't they?

[Maxie]

Ditto what longobongo said :)

Let the birds do things at their pace. Don't force anything.

[Pips mom]

Thank you for your replies! She'll eat millet out of my hands most of the time, and the palm of my hand but just not as often. I'm working to reach stepping up right now, just getting her used to my hands near her on the perch, or petting her beak. She WILL try to bite if I get too close, but I keep out of her way now. (I do let her nibble on my fingers sometimes when I'm holding something new.) I also whistle or sing to her a lot. I didn't get to say this yesterday, but literally 6 mins. after I posted, she decided to climb out herself and explore the top of her cage. :rolleyes: Lovebirds can look very smug can't they?

Hahaha!! they sure can!! they sure can be stinkers!!!