what does this behaviour mean?

[peppero1]

Hello bird fans,
I have a lovebird that seems to love to chew cloth. I used to let him ride on my shoulder but now I don't because he chews my shirt all the time. Also, he loves to chew the towel I carry with me to put him on when he is sitting on my lap.
I noticed that he tends to chew more when he is nervous or scared or put in uncomfortable locations. Do you think this could be some sort of comforting activity for him when he is stressed, as he never chews in his cage, and barely plays with his toys at all. Some of his toys he has never even investigated...
Very strange little fellow....

[bellarains]

Hi,

Some lovies are just chewers, and of course, it's entirely possible you have a hen, as hens will try to chew almost anything to make a nest. If you know you have a male, he just might be a chewer.

There are a few things you can give him in the cage that are good for chewers. Vegetable tanned leather strips, birdy pinatas, birdy shredders, palm leaves, and mine love coconut toys. If you do have a hen beware though, as shredding can lead to nesting. At some point that is just unavoidable, but till then, shred on:)

[sdgilley]

My first lovie Peter ignored toys for months and months and then picked one and chewed it apart! They are funny about what catches their fancy. Sometimes the placement of a toy gets their attention. I keep a plastic chain on the outside of Peter's cage, and he plays with the parts he can reach quite a bit. Typical lovebird, if it's out of reach, it's desired!:lol

Like Lori said:

If you do have a hen beware though, as shredding can lead to nesting. At some point that is just unavoidable, but till then, shred on
I can't put anything in Peepo's cage (a hen) because she'll destroy it by shredding it. That includes the comfy rope perches. Does your lovie have things inside the cage that he can shred? You mentioned he never shreds inside. It could be a nervous habit, like you thought. If it's a hen, she'd shred inside the cage I think.

[Z28Taxman]

Ditto loves to chew on shirts. I've got an old t-shirt that I wear when he's out with me and it looks like swiss cheese. Sock fuzzies also seem to taste good. :x He doesn't eat them, just pull them off, chew them a bit then spit them out. He's a bit strange.

[BarbieH]

Gracie will chew on clothing if she's nesty. I have a couple of tee shirts that are ventilated.

[peppero1]

thanks for the advice, I am almost totally convinced it's a male, because two pet store owners said he was male and also he is almost two years old and i haven't seen any eggs,,, but i also haven't seen any regurgitation or humping yet either...
anyway he doesn't shred in his cage though he has paper and toilet paper roll center tubes,,,
he only does it when he is nervous,,,,
but i like the suggestion or rearranging the toys to spark an interest,, i will try that,,,
he does love to play with bells,, and uses them to get my attention,,,,
i feel a bit sorry for him as i can only see him in the morning for half an hour and the evening for about two or three hours,,, but he has a very large cage and room to explore if he wants to,,
thanks for the advice..

[Z28Taxman]

Ditto doesn't shred either. He just makes spitballs. :rofl: When he takes a thread off my shirt he balls it up in his beak and spits it out.