Yep, Another Taming Thread :P

[Bandit7789]

Ok so I've had my Jamster for about a month now and she seems to be very happy, always chirping (especially when theres music) and she does come out of her cage but only climbs up to the top. Now I can put my hand 9in there and she stays relativley calm if I keep it on the other side of the perch, and on very rare occasions I might even be able to touch her beak a little before she hops away. She also eats millet from my hand but is still very weary. Now I was just wondering if I should grab her and take her to my bathroom where we might be able to bond better? I'de be to scared to get her on a perch and bring her over because it's a long walk from my bedroom to the bathroom and she might hop off, so what should I do? I don't want to scare her :confused: Oh and also I can put my face right next to her's and she won't be scared but when it comes to my hand it's another situation

[Alexander]

The threshold between apprehension and affection for Poe and myself happened while I was downstairs watching a movie. I had his cage infront of me (a little off to the side), while the movie played; and I just happened to glance at his cage when I noticed he was clinging onto the bars and watching me intently. So, I open the door to his cage, and offer him my arm. He hops up, and I lean back in my seat, letting him find his own spot on me. Before long, he was snuggled up under my chin asleep. (This was not a day after he use to back into a corner when I put my hands in to the cage to change his water and food.)

Now he crawls all over me like I'm his own personal playgyn :rolleyes:. Hard to believe I only brought him home 2 months ago.

EDIT: Didn't see the fingers comments, so I'll add a little more to my story. Poe was very hesitant to fingers and hands not to long ago, to the point he made me sick with grief when I tried to pick him up the first time (he cried like I was going to eat him or something). I've read that some say you should let them come to you, others have said you need to get them use to your touch (whether or not they want to). I did a mix with Poe, I would pick him up and place him on my shoulder, or chest, than show him one of my fingers. At first, I was public enemy number one, but after a while, he started to nibble on the fingers as I showed them to him. Once he became comfortable with nibbling on my fingers, I started to massage behind his head, and pet him, than once again letting him nibble and test the fingers. Now, as stated before, 2 months after his adoption, he will crawl down my arm, sit on my keyboard and lower his head for some rubbing and petting.

If your lovebird is afraid of hands right now, and doesn't mind your face, you can always rub your nose against her cheek, or just let her nibble on you (less the mouth area, of course). If she is the only lovebird you have, eventually she will get lonely and want some attention. Just make sure she tries to get the right kind, and doesn't turn the cage upside down while you're at work.

[mandy]

Hey Congratulations! I feel the same way bout biscuit too! We've been together for 4 months now. Although i envy you since ur bird has already allowed you to massage his head. Biscuit has yet to allow me to touch her head. any suggestions?

[KiwiMango]

I want to add that petting is a personal choice by the birds. Some do and some don't like it. Mango who is now 8 months old was a cuddle bug for a very long time and loved being touched and having his neck stratched until I got him a friend. On top of that he's discovered his freedom of flying away from me every chance he can get with the 'OH NO!...mom's comming' look. When I got my second bird Kodiak, she was very different from Mango and didn't seem to enjoy touching at all; she has a very protective and independent attitude. Now that both birds have been living together for 2 months, they prefer to give each other attention and preening over me trying to touch them. A single bird is more inclinded to eventually want attention from you, but each have personalities of their own and you are just going to have to wait and see how it goes:wink:

Sometimes I feel like Kodiak tells Mango not to see me anymore...hehe the jealous female. Mango still sneaks a chance when he can, I miss my baby.

[Janie]

I want to add that petting is a personal choice by the birds. Some do and some don't like it.

Mandy, I agree with Sarah. My three all happen to like it, both on their heads and beaks but I'm sure it is a personal choice. But, that might change in time, too. Biscuit is still very "new" and you'll see changes in the months and even in the years to come. My Oliver was friendly to everyone when we adopted him 3 years ago but in the last year he has become very stranger shy. He really would "step-up" for anyone, young or old. I think that the more comfortable he became with us and the more at home he felt here he finally figured out that we are really his family and strangers are now really strange! :D But, funny thing, he warmed right up to Lori when she visited. I guess he knows a real birdie momma when he sees one.

Just keep working with Biscuit, give him space when he needs it and one day he might surprise you and beg for a head rub! :)

[BarbieH]

Mandy, you could try touching his head with a molted feather. (Gee, now where could you find one of those? :rolleyes: ) The feeling of the feather touching him might be less weird-feeling than one of our fingers. It's worth a try!

[Bandit7789]

I'm still a little iffy about something, should I grab him and bring him to a bathroom with me? I'm scared that if I grab him he might lose all the trust we've gained, yet he doesn't stay on a stick for to long and its a walk to get to the bathroom from my room, so what should I do? Will he lose a lot of trust if I grab him when he's outside of his cage and on the floor?

[Alexander]

I'm still a little iffy about something, should I grab him and bring him to a bathroom with me? I'm scared that if I grab him he might lose all the trust we've gained, yet he doesn't stay on a stick for to long and its a walk to get to the bathroom from my room, so what should I do? Will he lose a lot of trust if I grab him when he's outside of his cage and on the floor?

I would grab him, but rather than hold him while you go and walk to the washroom, put him somewhere "neutral". I.e. your shoulder, your forearm, etc. When I had to force Poe by picking him up (now he pretty much lunges at me when I open the cage door. :rolleyes: ), he did cry, nae, scream, bloody murder for the first few times, but he did learn that being picked up didn't hurt, infact, thats how the fun starts.

To put it in as few words as possible, show them that their fear is unfounded. It won't hurt to go for a ride to the washroom, it won't hurt to have those big long fingers scratch your head, etc. Remember to act confident to, you're the bird whose "in charge", but don't act like a tyrant. (Heh, I've kinda messed up the last one myself, Poe has me so whipped, its not fun... :whistle: )

[LauraO]

I'm still a little iffy about something, should I grab him and bring him to a bathroom with me? I'm scared that if I grab him he might lose all the trust we've gained, yet he doesn't stay on a stick for to long and its a walk to get to the bathroom from my room, so what should I do? Will he lose a lot of trust if I grab him when he's outside of his cage and on the floor?

I would definately NOT grab your lovie. Everytime you grab your lovie you lose trust as they never believe it's safe and that big evil hand could reach out and grab their little tiny selves at any time.

If the lovie jumps off the stick just put it next to his chest and have him step up on it again. This may take some doing and he may jump off more than once, but he'll get it quick enough if you are persistent.

Good Luck and remember patience and consistency are the ways to a lovie's heart:D