My Story, Opinions and thoughts please.

[Iosevus]

So I had decided that I needed more love in my life and got me a lovebird. I'd like to share my story from the past 24 hours and get general opinions and/or tips for someone new to having a lovebird friend.

After a bit of research and though I had decided to stop by the bird shop and acquire myself a new feathered friend. This feathered friend had been taken to the shop due to someone feeling they couldn't spend enough time with him/her. I was told the bird is about 1 year old, and was well taken care of to the point where he/she would fly out of the cage and be friendly with his/her previous person, whom the lady at the bird place said was very broken up about having to give him/her up, and you don't cry and give up something for it to have a better place unless you've taken good care of it. Which gives me all the more reason to make sure this little one has a healthy and happy life with me.

Anyways,
I get home, the little birdy (Who I've not yet named) is clinging to the inside of the cage obviously shaken up by the ride and change. I find a spot for the cage and open the door. For awhile he/she just sits there looking a bit scared, but it's not very long before she/he climbs out and to the top of the cage and does something that makes me me frown.. tries to fly. I had decided to get it's wings clipped despite having a small studio cause I didn't want a bird that is probably afraid of me at this point to be able to fly around and run, could get injured. Logically I still think it was the smart choice but watching him/her trying so hard to fly and looking absolutely confused at why he/she couldn't was almost heartbreaking.

Obviously this one is nippy right now too.. at the store, right after the wings were clipped, it didn't have any problems moving from the store keeper's finger to mine and climbing up my arm to my shoulder. That changed when I got home, he/she doesn't chase after my finger or hand, but around 6 inches distance he/she will start to reach out to bite, alot of times with a warning peep first.

Today I get home and open the cage, before I turn around he/she is on the floor walking around exploring. He/She still goes into biting defensive mode if I get about 6 inches to him/her even outside the cage. (He/she is also usually backing away a bit too so obviously not trying to grab on to step up.) When I need to put her/him back in the cage I scooped her (I'm just gonna call it a her for now) up in a shirt and brought her to it, she didn't bite once I had a hold of her, only kinda tried to climb out. (Same experience with the bird shop owner when she scooped her up to clip her wings, didn't try and bite or anything.)

I think that sums up the first 24 hours with my new buddy. I also have a few other things I'd love to hear input and thoughts on.

I work a grave shift and wake up at midnight and get home between 10 and 11am. This gives me 5-6 hours of time with the little one, but it also means an early bedtime (4-5pm) for her, and she does get wakened when I get up for work. I uncover the cage when I leave that way when the sun comes up she can see the light and cover it when I go to bed. Does anyone else have experience with a lovebird or bird in general and have to work odd hours? And if it might affect them to adversely?

Second, is a behavioral thing. She does this thing with her tongue and beak that is akin to trying to get peanut butter off the roof of your mouth but then kinda grinds the low part of her beak horizontally against the top, any idea what this is?

If you made it this far, thanks for reading, if it seems disjointed I apologize, I'm breaking every few lines to check on her, she was trying to fly from the top of the cage again. :(

[linda040899]

Hi and welcome to Lovebirds Plus Community! We are happy to have you with us!

What you are describing is just about 100% accurate as to what happens when a parrot goes from a familiar situation to an unfamiliar one. They learn trust by experience and this one needs to learn that you don't intend to make him/her your next meal!! I can understand why you opted for a wing clip and just remember that those feathers will grow back. It's not permanent. :)

Your best bet right now is to be patient and let him/her come to you. If you want to attempt step ups, use a perch or a dowel.

Sounds like you are off to a pretty good start!

[michael]

Hello Iosevus and welcome to Lovebirdsplus! .. Ditto to Linda's response in that your new lovebird having recently been transfered from whats familiar to whats not is pretty well acting out accordingly. .. Regarding the time you spend with her, 5-6 hours is plenty. That you must retire her at around 4-5 pm, while it is a bit early, is certainly not a time a lovebird can't get acclimated to, especially seeing how you uncover her in preparation to morning sunrise. In perspective here, lovebirds generally fair better with at least 10 hours of sleep. As for scooping her up in a shirt.... Do try the wooden dowel Linda mentioned instead. Later, once you's get to know each other a little better, you could always try weening her off the dowel and from there onto your finger. .. Indeed, it does sound like your off to a very good start. .........:)

[Pips mom]

So you've decided that you need more love in your life! Well........I think you made a great choice! You may not able to see that for a while, until the little one gets used to you and his/her new home, but you have to trust me on this one........if you spend time with and get to know your new feathered friend, you will have a best buddy who will fly around looking for you! I know right now the wing clip seems harsh and the bird is unhappy with it. That's ok because you are correct in thinking that it's best to avoid any injuries or crashes because he/she is probably scared right now with the new surroundings. Wing clips on lovies grow out pretty fast, so don't worry too much about it. I would even recommend keeping the bird in the cage for the first few days until he/she calms a bit about being in a new place. Just take things slow........by allowing your new lovie to go on his/her own terms earns trust, but it's going to take some time.
As far as your work hours go........don't worry too much about that either! I have my four birds on my schedule and they adapt pretty well to it. They aren't up first thing in the am because I cover them up and they are fairly good about sleeping in with me, especially if it's a nice dark, gloomy morning! I work second shift, 2:30-10:30 and I get them out for a bit before we all turn in for the night, which is late! but they sleep late in the am for me well, so it works! I'm sure you will have not much problem with the work schedule thing........although........Pip is always the first one who wants up and out in the morning! He is also the first one I hear calling to me when I come home!
Second, is a behavioral thing. She does this thing with her tongue and beak that is akin to trying to get peanut butter off the roof of your mouth but then kinda grinds the low part of her beak horizontally against the top, any idea what this is?

This is beak grinding......it's what birds do when they're sleepy and content. This is normal and you will one day think it is music to your ears! especially when you hear it when your lovie is taking a snooze on your shoulder!
The fact that you care so much to give this bird a good home and came here says alot. You will do just fine! This is a great place to learn all about lovies! I came here 7 years ago when I first got Pip and it's one of the best things I ever did! One thing you need to realize though is that your gut feelings on things will usually tell you what to do and how to handle your lovie. Each bird is different, so sometimes there are things only you will see and learn about him/her! Be patient, and give it time........and before ya know it, you'll have that love you are looking for! Lovies are great companions! and this little one will give you lots of laughs and smiles! congrats on your new lovie!

[Iosevus]

Thanks for the welcome and thoughts!
I know it was the smart choice getting her wings clipped but I still can't help feel a bit bad. Had her cage open and about 3-4 times she'd climb out on too and try so hard to fly, then she'd huff a bit, look at me and peep loudly as if to say, "Why?!" Then she would climb back in rest/preen a bit and try again later.

I also had tried a pen to get her to climb on it, it fell under the 6 inch rule as well and she would bite at it. I was able to get the pen right to her feet and she did grudgingly climb on at that point but as soon as I got it like a foot high she tried to jump off and fly.
I think as soon as she accepts not being able to fly she'll be a bit more receptive to the changes around her.

[linda040899]

You are right about allowing her to get used to the changes. Once she feels safe, you will most likely be asking us how to unattach the velcro birdie!!! :lol

[Iosevus]

I'm perfectly ok with a velcro lovie, I look forward to that day.

Today she seems even more frustrated at being unable to fly, climbing on top of the cage and trying really really hard to fly, while chirping throughout. I'm trying to fabricate some sort of ladder so she can at least come out and walk around, maybe that would help ease her non-flight transition.

[Iosevus]

As I type this she is sitting on my shoulder preening. I'm sure it's mostly cause she thinks I'm a big tree, but she climb up with no biting when I offered my finger to her. Little bit worried about neck bites, but so far she hasn't bit hard just light warnings. She is nibbling on the hair on the back of my neck a bit though.

I know in one of those articles linked at from this site said you really shouldn't let them climb up on your shoulder when they want to, only when you bring them up, but I think this might be a good way for her to get used to me, so I'll allow it. :)

[michael]

In order to avoid dominance issues, not allowing birds to perch upon your shoulder is mostly reserved for larger parrots like Macaws, Cockatoo's, and African Grey's. Not that a small lovebird won't ever attempt to bite your neck, ear, nose, or worse yet your bottom lip, but should they do, not only will the damage be fairly minimal, but their soon to learn its a quick way to lose their favorite spot. ... Oh, and lose using the pen for step ups and switch to a wooden dowel or perch. For whatever reason (too small and resembles a beak), lovebirds do not take kindly to pens, pencils, or small cell phone antennae. ........:)

[Iosevus]

So day 4, I'm trying to figure her out.
I have a little I suppose. When she is in or on her cage, she for the most part will run from me. However, she will also create a ruckus till I come close and sit by the cage. When she makes it to the ground, she steps up on my finger without issue. She sits quietly on my shoulder grinding her beak and sometimes nibbling/preening on my neck. Very hot and cold at this point.
Any tips on ways to socialize with her? I live in a studio apartment so we are always in the same room, I talk to her across the room when I do things and sometimes sit near her cage and relax. I think I might move her closer to where my desk is though.

[Z28Taxman]

Sitting by the cage is a good thing. Let her get used to you being there and learn that you're not looking for breakfast.