what a surprise!

[Lyric]

Hi,

I've been reading this forum for a few days now, just thought I'd ask a question.

We have 2 lovebirds (3months old) and we got them from a chain pet store. They were not hand fed and are not tame. In fact, they are scared of hands. We got them last monday so we've had them for 7 days now. After much reading I decided we would go in the bathroom today and cover the mirrors, shut the potty, etc, and let them out of their cage....

To my surprise, their flight feathers either grew back in 7 days or I didn't clip enough off! They've been out for an hour and a half now (confined to the bathroom, with supervision) and I dont' know how to get them back in!

LOL I Know this sounds really horrible :( and I feel bad because I'm so new at this. They seem comfortable up on the shower curtain rod, and are "grooming" themselves and walking back and forth across it. Offered them a mango and they scooted closer, so I think we made great progress.

I'm a bit worried though because I only intended to have them out for 15 mins or so, just enough to get the feel for being out of their cage.... their food and water is in their cage (and it is currently open to them) but I'm not sure they know they can go back in or anything. I do have the bath tap trickling with a small dish, but I don't think they will feel ok to go down there and get a drink if they need it.

What i'm worried about is that I have read they need to eat often, as they are grazers, and drink often, and they haven't since they got out of their cage!

So.... how do I get them back in?? When I approach them they fly to the other side of the room!

[bellarains]

LOL,

Sounds like they've got you by the tail:lol It's the first time, but won't be the last;) Sorry, not laughing at you, but rather with you:)

Try using an extra perch to get them back into the cage. A long one if you have one. You don't want to have to force them if not necessary, but if you do, try using a light weight washcloth. I wouldn't toss it on top of them while they are on the shower rod, but if you can get them grounded, lightly toss it on top of one, and quickly, but genty scoop him/her up, and pop back into the cage. The other may follow, or you may have to repeat the process. What you really want to avoid is causing them to fear your hands.

You can however, put their food, and water dishes just outside the cage, and see if you can lure them back in that way also. That is, if you have the time to just sit back, and let them find their own way home.

Good luck:)

[Lyric]

Safely back in their cage. Whew!

They didn't like the idea of stepping on a perch that was connected to me. So I went with the washcloth idea.

I put the wash cloth up by them and they started to fly around the room, I just kept letting them fly away until they got tired. Twinkle got grounded first, and i did what you said and scooped him up with the washcloth, Rainbow did not follow. She sat up there watching but wouldn't come too. So I had to repeat the process with her. Let her wear her little self out flying all around.

They are safely back in the cage and I'm tired! LoL
I put the mango piece in there just as a treat for them, so they can explore it at their leisure.

I'm glad I planned for extra time, as the little 15 minute "get to know each other " turned into 2 hours more!

I know they are trying to train me, because on the second day here when their honey treat stick was out they started chirpping and wouldn't stop til I put a new one in! When they finished that one they tried again, I took it out and put a different kind in. They didn't touch it but didn't chirp. Waited a day then gave them the kind they liked again. When they finished it they chirped once and that was it LOL I responded within a few minutes since they didn't repeatedly chirp at me. So cute of them though!


It was a big surprise that they could fly all around the bathroom. I think I'm going to try to clip their wings a little more, but after they have time time to rest and relax again.

[bellarains]

I'm glad all went well. I think a little wing clip is indeed in order. It will help greatly with the taming process:)