Are my lovies becoming friends?

[oya]

Hi everybody,
I need a little advice or assurance.
I have two lovies, Daku and Soleil. I have had Daku for about a year, and Soleil came to live with us about three weeks ago. I introduced them and they weren't at all sure about each other, so I kept Daku in her cage (I am almost sure she's a she and he's a he, but not positive) and kept her cage right next to Soleil's. They talked a little bit each day, and didn't fight when I had them both out climbing around on me. But if they got in Soleil's cage together (I chose this one to try out togetherness, as Daku is surely possessive of her cage; Soleil, I thought, maybe hadn't had time to get too territorial about his), they would bicker and pick at each other's beaks and feet. So I kept them mostly separated and only let them hang out together when they were with me.
I was pretty worried because I have read from a couple of sources that if they don't bond immediately, then they never will. I found that very hard to accept. I have spent considerable time talking to them about being sweet to each other and how they could each have a friend if they were willing to get to know each other. I don't expect them to understand my language but I have kind of hoped that they would get the psychic vibe of what I was saying (I know it sounds hokey, but there it is.).
Well, today I let them both out of their cages and they were climbing around and checking each other out, bickering a little bit, but nothing too bad.
So Daku went into Soleil's cage and Soleil followed. I just stayed around to make sure nothing terrible happened; I was thinking that maybe just like any other animal they might have to posture at each other a little before they could decide to like each other...looks like I might have been correct, because for a while they flapped around and shrieked at each other, picking at beaks and feet, and then suddenly, quiet...I looked up from my chair when I realized they weren't making noise and to my surprise they were cozied up, each one nibbling at the other's head and cheeks, both of them closing their eyes. I couldn't believe it.
This has been going on for about 30 minutes, and every now and then one of them freaks out a little and acts unsure, but then settles back in and starts grooming the other one.
Am I seeing courtship behavior?
Are they going to be safe with each other now?
What kind of experience do you all have with introducing lovies to each other? Is this the normal way it plays out?
I know nothing about them that they don't teach me themselves; I have read some books but no one so far really captures the experience of living with them.
Any comments will be helpful and very much appreciated!
Thanks ya'll!
Oya

[Venoma]

I dunno, animals understand body language and I bet there's a 'lecture' posture from every mother animal that cares from her babies - they probably got the idea :)

Personally I would not leave them together alone until I had seen this behavior play out for at least another week - just in case someone has a bad day while they're still adjusting.

[Janie]

Hi,

I would not leave them alone together till I was as positive as possible that one would not harm the other. Another thing, things change and there is no way to be sure this soon if they are going to get along. I have three which is an odd mix and two (brothers and clutch mates) are caged together at night and when I'm gone and the other, my older bird has his own cage. They are all three out together when I'm home and that is most of the day and they do get along pretty well but in the last month, one of the younger brothers has definitely chosen my older male and the other brother is now the odd man out. A few months ago, it was almost the opposite situation in that the one that is odd man out now was constantly sitting next to my older bird. I did not leave the three of them alone together for the first six months because I was concerned that Oliver (my older bird) might get picked on. Turns out that he is the most popular bird in the room. :D

[RowB]

Hi Oya,

I have had much the same situation in that twice now I have introduced a new mate to existing birds. I have found that a third cage has been the easiest way for the first few days and then put them back into a big cage (My spare cages aren't that big) with all the toys moved around so it looks new (if you see what I mean)
It does sound promising but as others have said I would separate them at night as this is when most fights break out, just until you havent seen bickering for a good week or so.

HTH

Row