Signs of Affection (question) :)

[noah]

Hello everyone! :D I just purchased my lovie, Lucy a few days ago. She perches herself on my finger in her cage ... but doesn't really enjoy doing it inside or outside her cage, she is still verry timid. I completley understand that though, its only been a few days! Anyways, I was just wondering when lovebirds begin to warm up to you and show signs of personality/affection or whatever. I know thats a kinda ridiculous question considering all birds are different, but if you could just please help me on when your lovie started warming up to you and bieng friends with you :)

thanks!

noah

[carrier]

Hi Noah, and welcome!

I am also a new to lovebirds, as I got Fenway about 2 months ago. When I got her she was not hand tame and if I put my hands in her cage boy would I get it!:omg:

After the first week, she settled down a bit and would come out, fly around, and go back in her cage on her own...it was better than having me chase her around with a towel, as every time I tried to pick her up or teach her to step up I would get quite a nip.

Patience is truly the key- just being around Lucy, and reading or watching TV will help her to become more trusting of you. ( Spray Millet works wonders as a hand-feeding tool as well)

The long and short of it is that it should be up to Lucy to decide when she will trust you, and how she will show it. Some lovies are very affectionate and some will not ever be the cuddly type. It doesn't mean they don't have affection for you.

It took me these past two months and now Fenway won't get off of my body! I can't do anything without a bird on me! Don't get me wrong...I love it and know she understands that I will never hurt her or do anything to harm her, but it had to be on her terms.

Good luck!

[noah]

Wow what a story! Well good job with Fenway :) I just now (right before i replied to this) went to play with Lucy to teach her to step up, and she did it 2 times! So then she let me pet her and scratch her head and her belly. Afterwords she groomed herself but I am so excited! Thanks for your help :D At first I thought Lucy wasn't the cuddly type ... but I think she may be now! I'm going to eat in my room tonight to hopefully get closer to her, becasue I've heard that works. Thanks again :D

[noah]

Oh ... and yes I have some Spray Millet, but right now it is just in her cage. I will probably take it out before I eat and see if she'll eat it out of my hand. This is so exciting!

[Kirby]

Every bird has their own way of showing their affection.

Kirby doesnt like being scratched, but will snuggle in my pocket or under my chin.... and awkwardly down my shirt... heh heh... And you know he's loving just being there because he will contently crack his beak, or vibrate (if you can hold Lucy up to your ear when she's more comfortable with you, she might sound like a cat purring)

Skittles on the other hand wants to be scratched left right and center. She will show her affection by nibbling your fingers or nibbling your chin which Kirby does occasionally too.

Now I've had Kirby for 6 months, and trust me, I think if I calculated how much blood I had lost when I first got him it would be scary. He has come along way from being a terror to handle to a Bird who is TRYING so hard to communicate and tell you w hen youre making him mad.

Skittles.. well... first night I had her.. she flew out onto my hand and wiggled to be pet. But I am pretty sure it's because of her age (10 as opposed to Kirby's supposed 2)


Keep it up!!!! And PATIENCE is the main key with Lovie ownership :D

[noah]

Oh alright this is good! Because earlier while I was petting Lucy she was nibbling at my finger. She hasn't bit me at all ... not once. /whew!

Ok thanks for the info guys this is really motivating. :)

[Kirby]

One thing however...

The nibbling MIGHT be a sign that she is frustrated and not trying to hurt you but trying to warn you to leave her alone. Watch her when she's doing that to your fingers next time. If she is fluffed up in an almost aggresive manner, it will be a sign that she will most likely bite harder if you dont mover your hand, or if she is all snuggled and initiated the nibbling herself, she might be exploring you and how far she can push things around you.

[Janie]

Oh alright this is good! Because earlier while I was petting Lucy she was nibbling at my finger. She hasn't bit me at all ... not once. /whew!

Ok thanks for the info guys this is really motivating. :)

Two of my three love to nibble! :D They are young (just over 2) and are interested in everything and especially everything on me.

Noah, it is impossible to pin point a time as to when any lovie might warm up. I adopted my first lovie (Oliver) when he was already around 7. His former owner (a freshman in college whose parents did not want to keep him) said he was not a biter but not cuddly or overly friendly. He would step-up from the beginning and loved riding on my shoulder. His former owner came by for a visit 4 months after I adopted him and she was stunned at how much he'd changed....a real snuggle bunny! :D I guess that because I knew so little about birds that it never occurred to me he'd want to do anything but love me. :D I will tell you that I am home most days and gave Oliver tons of time and attention. He spends hours on my shoulder almost every day.

I bought my second two, brothers, 2 years later. They were hand fed and already tame the day I brought them home but it still took time for them to get to know and trust me. I had them quarantined in an upstairs bedroom and spent lots of time with them several times a day, individually and together. Since I could hold them from the beginning it did make it easier for them to get used to me but I would not force a bird in a new situation who was not already tame. Gotta let them go at their own pace.

All three of mine get along very well (I got lucky, wasn't expecting that!) and love to crawl on me whenever I walk in their room but Oliver still has and will always have my heart. I adore all three but he is, to use Linda's phrase, my "senior" bird and he comes first in this flock.

Take your time with Lucy and let her get to know you. The trust will come. :)

[michael]

Noah. Knowing that all lovies are different makes that a good question, not a ridiculous one. Lots of new owners would like to know when, but honestly there's no way to tell. A word of encouragement though, most likely it will happen sooner than expected, as long as its "not" expected. Also most lovies bite from the start, part of the learning process, and you do your best to avoid it by using the proper approach, giving them space, and watching for signs it will happen. There are so many different factors involved, male, female, age, housing and location, and even the type of person who cares for them. There are nine species of lovebirds and I believe only three are available for pets, and there are traits often dissimilar between them also. The list goes on. Although there are similar behavior patterns shared by a lot of them, like poeple, every one is unique in their own way. I think your off to a good start, and reading through the resource library as well as past issues in the behavior and taming forum, will help you achieve a good relationship no matter how Lucy turns out. My lovebird Goofy started out biting and after two months he was laying on his back in the palm of my hand. Something I never expected. Females on the other hand, can be just as close but have periods of nesting/territorial habits. Preparation in the event she shows aggression when she gets older will help you understand and get through those "testy" moments. ....Keep up the good work, and always ask if your not sure........Michael and Goofy

[noah]

Ok thank you all for the info :) I completley understand now. I'm just going to take it slowly with Lucy. Thats pretty amazing that you got all three well-behaved birds Janie! Thanks alot guys!

[Janie]

Ok thank you all for the info :) I completley understand now. I'm just going to take it slowly with Lucy. Thats pretty amazing that you got all three well-behaved birds Janie! Thanks alot guys!

Noah, taking it slow is always the best way to go, even with tame lovies who are getting to know you. :)

I am lucky, lucky, lucky to have three who do get along very well together. I never expected that to happen and it was six months before I was confident that they really did all like each other. Never a single toe bite. BTW, they are not caged together. Oliver has his own cage and Big Boi and Shy share a cage but they are all three out together for several hours every day.

[noah]

Thats cool, Janie. Did you buy Big Boi and Shy together? Is one Female and the other is Male? What species are Big Boi and Shy, because Lucy looks just like them and I don't know what species she is, I couldn't tell off of the list.

[noah]

Just one more quick question ... hope this doesn't derail this thread so if it does, sry!

But, does Oliver seem ok by himself? I'm just curious, because I'm going to start school in a few weeks and I don't want Lucy to be lonely or anything.

[Kirby]

Lucy should be fine by herself!!!

You just have to compensate for the time you are away during the day. For example, have her come along with you when you are getting ready in the morning before school. And when you get home (i know there might be homework) have her out and about and just in the same room as you.

She might be a little bit angry about the fact that she wont see you as much during the day, but her routine will adjust and everything will work out in the end!

[noah]

Okay! Thanks for the help :) I just wasn't quite sure. You guys are helping out alot! I'm glad I stumbled upon this website :D

[dani]

Noah
when you can't find the time to take her out, or you are just too busy, it'll help to just be with her. If necessary, sit next to her cage while doing your homework, and talk to her softly every now and then. Whether she is totally tame or not, it is probably comforting for her to just be with you. I am presently in my final year getting my degree and I am sometimes BUSY BUSY during the week, so I'll sit among my birds' cages and talk to them softly, sometimes i read my study notes to them :lol, and my lovie Haku will come to the side of the cage and beg me for whatever I may be eating :x. Eventually, you find lots of ways to be interactive with them. Like, my amazon Evie loves books, so I make her little 'books' out of blank paper, and while I'm reading my book, she'll be "reading" (or destroying) hers. Birdies are always fun company to have around:)

[Janie]

Thats cool, Janie. Did you buy Big Boi and Shy together? Is one Female and the other is Male? What species are Big Boi and Shy, because Lucy looks just like them and I don't know what species she is, I couldn't tell off of the list.

Noah, Big Boi and Shy are clutch mates and were DNA'd before I bought them. I only wanted males so I paid to have them DNA'd before I brought them home and I had previously passed on another bird from the same breeder because she was DNA'd female. I figured that a male/female combo would not be a good mix since Oliver was already here and is definitely a male. Big Boi and Shy are both peachface lovies and respectfully a White Face Blue (single factor violet) and A WF Cobalt Violet (single factor violet). I don't know or care squat about genetics but I wanted a "purple" bird and Shy fit the bill! :D When they are right next to each other the color difference is obvious but when they are separated or flying around, I have to take a hard look to see which one is which since the violet and blue are similar at first glance. They were very bonded in the first 6 to 9 months here but now, each one likes Oliver better than they do each other. Go figure! :D Still, it works out well (no fighting) and the brothers do get along well caged together. I would never cage all three together as I am sure Big Boi would get picked on.

One lovie getting a lot of attention will be just fine. Several members here have only one and they do work during the day so their birds are alone but I think a single bird gets used to a routine and as long as he/she is in a nice "happy" cage with toys and activities, they are fine. I did not add two more for Oliver.....I did it for me! :D Turns out that Oliver is a much happier and more youthful bird with their company but he was a happy bird before them, too. When he was a single bird I left a radio or TV turned on (low) for him while I was gone. The cartoon channel seemed to be a favorite. :D

[shylevon]

You will still be able to take birdies out of the cage to 'HELP' with homework.

You know how kids always say, "My dog ate my homework"? Well, you will certainly be able to use this excuse with your birdies, and you will have the paper shreds to take to class to prove it.:omg:

[noah]

Haha good idea :))) Lucy was fiddling around with a piece of paper i tore out of a book. She seemed pretty interested in destroying it, until she figured out that I was getting ready to feed her. Then she flew right over to my hand! Thanks for all the info Janie, and everyone! Little Lucy is doing amazing. One quick question though, is their poop harmful to humans? I mean are there any bacteria in it that could make you especially sick?

[Flapjack]

Survey of prominent physicians shows 9 out of 10 doctors recommend you do NOT eat it.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Flapjack]

Just kidding..
I do know that the possibility of dust from dried fecal matter and dander can be a problem for people with supressed immune systems. I had a friend who had AIDS who, sadly, had to give up his much loved birds.

[Janie]

Poop! Well, if poop could kill me, I'd have been dead ages ago! :D I do wash my hands and I don't intentionally come in contact with it but still, it happens. In "well" birds, I don't think it's terribly harmful. Because I have a dog, I really try to clean it off the floor as soon as it lands but there are times I don't see it and I am sure my dog has been investigating lovebird poop for four years....without getting sick.

[noah]

Ok haha Flapjack, i should be good ive only eaten it 2 or 3 times. ;) jk

Ok thanks for the help guys! :))

[shylevon]

What did the tenth doctor say?? "Snack at will."??

Poopins can contain e-coli, just like any other poopins in the world. Not good for munching on at all.