Can anyone explain this behaviour?

[Maxie]

There are five people in my family, including Max. We all adore Max and he loves us all too. I've noticed that he has a different relationship with each of us. He flies to all of us, kisses us all but will only cuddle with me and come to me for scritches. He's out of his cage almost all day long (he's never alone), except for cooking time when he's inside his cage always. Now, here's the strange part....when I'm not home and my mom is, he will fly to my moms shoulder and constantly give her love bites on her neck and ear lobes to the point where it hurts. She's forced to wear a scarf around her neck so he stops. He then stretches to get her face. He's glued to her and won't leave. As soon as I come home, he flies off her and hangs out with me. I haven't seen him do this because he only does it when I'm not home and only with my mom. If she's not home, hes ok with me....glued to me but no aggressive love bites.

What does this mean?

[linda040899]

You are Max's person! No doubt about that. You have the highest position in his heart. When you are not there, he goes for the next best person who's available, your mom. I have a feeling that the love nips are to get her attention because he wants her to do what you do with him in your absence. He may also not realize that his nips hurt. She may have to reinforce that with him. Remember that lovebirds are very social and the more attention, the better! Many parrots get very attached to their humans but not all at the same level.

[Maxie]

Wow! Thanks for your response Linda :). These little birds are really something! I swear there's a little person in that little bird body :)

[linda040899]

Parrots are amazingly intelligent (as are all birds!) and are sadly misunderstood by many who just consider them a different kind of pet who happens to wear feathers! Having lived with birds all my life, I could tell you stories that would take hours to write and just as long to read.

Harley, my TAG, took me as his mate the minute he saw me at a local bird show back in 2001. It took him 2 full days to convince me that I was taking him home and he accomplished his mission! I am, and have been, his person, so much so that he follows me all over the house when I'm home and when he's not velcroed to me. Thank goodness that all exits from my home lead to a screened in area because he will even follow me out into my covered walkway to watch the rain if I go out there and leave the front door open! He's developed his own language to communicate with me and it works between us.

Gotta luv 'em! :)

[mstomcat65]

I too have a velco lovebird!... I am her person but she has accepted my hubby as second in line. It was just the 2 of us until early this month when my younger daughter came to stay with us for this month. Lacey doesn't mind her but won't stay with her when I leave the room lol. She knows for sure who she is attached to and I don't think there is anything on the planet that can change her mind lol

[Maxie]

Parrots are amazingly intelligent (as are all birds!) and are sadly misunderstood by many who just consider them a different kind of pet who happens to wear feathers! Having lived with birds all my life, I could tell you stories that would take hours to write and just as long to read.

Harley, my TAG, took me as his mate the minute he saw me at a local bird show back in 2001. It took him 2 full days to convince me that I was taking him home and he accomplished his mission! I am, and have been, his person, so much so that he follows me all over the house when I'm home and when he's not velcroed to me. Thank goodness that all exits from my home lead to a screened in area because he will even follow me out into my covered walkway to watch the rain if I go out there and leave the front door open! He's developed his own language to communicate with me and it works between us.

Gotta luv 'em! :)

They truly are awesome! Everyday Max does something new to amaze us all. He's such a joy to have! :)

[linda040899]

I too have a velco lovebird!... I am her person but she has accepted my hubby as second in line. It was just the 2 of us until early this month when my younger daughter came to stay with us for this month. Lacey doesn't mind her but won't stay with her when I leave the room lol. She knows for sure who she is attached to and I don't think there is anything on the planet that can change her mind lol
They know what they want, that's for sure!!!! I had a lady give me (Yes, give!) her Scarlet Macaw because she was afraid that the bird would bite her granddaughter. Scarlets don't take change very well and this one wasn't having any of being in a new home. I had him 2 days and I told her to come get him and she was going to have to teach her granddaughter to keep her hands away from the bird. He was a very unhappy camper, even though I have 2 other macaws. My house was not where he wanted to be so I gave him back!

[akki]

Didi likes my husband more than me, and Juju likes me more than my husband. Junior is still neutral, but he goes to my husband and asks for treats. The worst thing - he always gets some :D. My husband totally spoiled him :rofl: