borrrrringgggg

[Lora & Marvin]

Hello again everyone, and sorry for the constant questions, but I am new to this bird thing and want to make sure everything is juuuust right! I'm just wondering if there is anything I can do to get my baby to be just a LITTTTTLE bit more curious. He LOVES to be out of my cage - just sits on my shoulder....sometimes for hours! And he'll chew up a piece of paper for about 5 minutes, but then he gets bored and just wants to get back up on my shoulder. One thing he loves is chewing the wicker towel basket in the bathroom. Every morning while I get ready for work he sits there chewing and chewing and chewing....but that's it. I can't get him interested in ANYTHING else!!! I've tried a number of different times to place him amongst new and exciting things (stuffed animals, my bookshelf, around the computer desk, kitchen table etc) but he doesn't seem interested. He just wants to sit on my shoulder. I've also never seen him touch any of his toys, I've tried changing them. The only one he cares about is his bell. Any ideas???

[Ducky]

Right now you are his security it seems. Mine liked to sit on my shoulder more when I first got him than he does now, though he still will. You are still new, and even if you aren't doing anything, you are still entertaining. Enjoy it while it lasts, cause once they come out of they're shell it's keeping them out of trouble that's the problem! :happy:

If he likes wicker, get him more wicker! You could buy another basket to put a little playstand on, and he'll chew on the wicker as well. Don't be surprised if there's not much interest in anything other than the basket at first, but eventually he'll get curious! Also, you can get little "munch balls" made out of wicker. Mine has just started chewing on these and has decided he loves them! Course it's been 4 months since I got them. :rolleyes:

You may just have a calm birdie. If eventually he doesn't start coming out of his shell, enjoy having a cuddle bird. You can always get another for more activity....:whistle:

[linda040899]

Hi Lora,
Sounds like part of the "problem" is that Marvin is new to your home and he's young. At the breeder's facility, he may not have had toys to play with so he simply doesn't know what to do with them. You may have to start playing simple games with him so that he can begin to expand his curiosity. Chewing is something that lovebirds do best so that's a step in the right direction.

The fact that he just wants to sit with you is actually very good. He feels safe with you and security is something he needs right now. He's away from all his companions and you are all he has. Give him time to get his bearings and he will begin to blossom. Be careful what you wish for! You could very easily have a lovebird that loves to get into anything and everything!!

[LauraO]

Young birds, especially those in new homes, are not always the most curious of creatures. Babies also tend to sleep and nap a lot more when they are young. Fear not! In another couple of months Marvin will be driving you crazy flying around acting all nuts and chewing up everything in sight. Then you'll be on the board asking us where your little cuddly baby went8o ;) 8o .

I would just keep offering him toys and interesting things and he will show more interest as he gets older and more comfortable with you.

:D :D

[michael]

My lovebird Goofy rules the world when he's out of his cage. He expects attention from just about anybody who's in his territory and will let you know it with gentle nips. Most of the time he wants to be in or on my hands so he can get his head scratched. Sometimes its downright pathetic but all the more we love him. Sometimes when my friends come to visit they pass ME up and go right to him! You know, he has never taken to toys much and I think the general consensus is you buy them loads of toys but they'll find everything else to play with including some they shouldn't. I set up a small table full of junk to help keep him occupied as he likes to knock stuff off but he won't go on it now unless I'm nearby. You could try silverware, they like the noise. I've noticed some birds respond to sounds and others to colors and someone else here mentioned sticking food into a toy or object to help get them interested. I tell you it works, especially with millet! The alternatives are endless and it takes time to get accustomed to thinking like a bird. If you notice, no matter how attached they are they're always watching everything you do and for some reason even though we like to think we're teaching them I believe they are always a step ahead. I don't mind my little Klingon, velcro baby, magnet, he's still a baby at two years and since having his wings clipped he's even more attached. OOOOOHHH......NOOOOOOOOO.....

[wilkiecoco]

Kiwi has never had much interest in toys - except me - I am the ultimate toy. In and out of my shirt sleeves, my collar, up and down my jeans, in the pockets, out of the pockets, bring some food in my shirt, it goes on and on. And I wouldn't have it any other way. I gave up offering him new toys, (i simply recycle the many many I bought when he was young, rotating them on a weekly basis) and make do with paper, birdie popsicles stixs I ordered online, (but he will only chew while on me!!!) :omg:

He always has a few perches in his cage, something leathery or papery to chew on, a cuddly buddy, and a bong or swing. Outside his cage, he chews on the tv remotes, the telephone, the boxes from the toys that I bought him, my kids term papers..............well............you get the point.

You should still try offering him things he likes, like the wicker, in different forms. His natural curiousity should evolve as he matures, and he will hopefully try new things.


As i am wrote this entry, he just chewed a hole in one of the rubber numbers of the phone. Be careful what you wish for!!!! :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :happy: :happy: :happy:

[Lora & Marvin]

Ok then, thanks for the input! This is a great site! A little piece of advice from so many lovebird lovers-that way you get all kinds of ideas! It's awesome! Thanks everyone!

[dani]

Haku isnt the most cuddly bird but he's already broken 2 toys with great enthusiasm and i've only had him a few weeks.... i guess it could go both ways :D