Loud and not sleeping

[ScoopC247]

Hi all, new to the site. As a girl, we bred and raised lovebirds, they were all pretty sweet and a great experience. Now, as an adult, I decided to get a lovebird again. Rosie came from someone who had never handled the babies - the breeder fished her out of the cage with a net. Poor thing.

I've read up on the threads about taming and am working to get her to trust me. I did try to handle her beforehand, but saw the error of my ways and we're working on square one. Here is my issue:

I live in Phoenix, where there are lots of wild lovebirds, in fact, the trees outside my apartment are full of them. I think Rosie has attracted them to come even closer. It seems like these wild birds are much louder than any of the lovebirds I raised as a kid and Rosie has picked up their screeches and ear piercing shrieks - incessantly. Now, I am fully aware that birds are loud pets but this feels a little crazy. Also - she isn't sleeping through the night. I cover her cage and the room is dark but she wakes up and screeches multiple times in the night. They don't seem like night frights, she doesn't flail about.

I am trying to be patient and know that it takes time for us to bond and for her to be comfortable being handled, but right now it is hard to overlook her being so loud and keeping me awake, especially since she isn't sweet or snuggly with me. Can someone help?

[linda040899]

Hi and welcome to Lovebirds Plus Community! Congratulations on your new lovebird and being willing to take in a completely parent raised, unhandled youngster. As a breeder, I can tell you that this is quite a change for Rosie. She's away from everything familiar (feathered companions that look/sound like she does.) She's calling to the outside birds simply because they are there and she's hoping to regain some of what she lost. She will adjust but you have to be patient while she does. Keep working with her to gain her trust.

Have you thought about using something for "white noise" in the background at night? That may be calming for her, as she's waking up and calling for the other lovebirds that are sleeping like she's supposed to be doing. What time do you put her to bed? Parrots need 12 hours of sleep so mine normally go to bed when the sun goes down and get up at dawn.

[Tallyollyopia]

There are no wild lovebirds where I live, but my babies like to mimic other birds; robins, blue jays (I HATE blue jays), and crows. One of the things I began doing was I started chirping back at my birds. It could be that she's just lonely. Since your bird hasn't been handled a lot, I recommend that you chirp at her from another room, at least for a while. I don't know if this will work with your bird, but with mine they began chirping at me, and trying to engage me in (what I think is) communication.

One thing I do know for a fact, since my lovies had a breeder similar to the one yours did, is that it will take time. At first the bird will be more comfortable with your voice if you're in another room or likewise out of sight. You can connect your voice with your appearance later. I will tell you this; I've had my birds for almost a year now, and they're still warming up to me.

Another thing--your bird may be dreaming. I know that a lot of pet raising websites claim that lovebirds can't dream--but if they can't dream, how do they have nightmares? Just try to imagine it as your bird talking in her sleep, and you'll get used to it eventually. If not, every dollar store I've ever been in sells earplugs.:)

[ScoopC247]

Thank you both so much. I usually cover her cage when I go to bed - but I will start paying more attention to see if another time works better for her. We tried white noise (which put me to sleep :lol) until about 3:00 when Rosie called out. I made a few kissy, chirpy noises back and she went quiet again for a bit. I think this may help us.

Thanks, again. Just having someone listen and respond brings a lot of hope that she and will be OK together. :)