Bird out of the Cage, what now?

[mariusz621]

I have left the door of the cage open so the bird could come out and explore the room.
She went out, but she really avoids me. she fly from one lamp to another and doesn't even consider landing on my hand.

What am I supposed to? Running after her won't calm her down.By leting her stay on furniture I can't reach her won't build the bond between us.

I thought hand reared tamed babies would be a bit easier to work with...

[Christian]

Is your baby clipped? If so and she lands on the floor, kind of cup your hands around her from either side so she doesn't fly and gently pet her or hold her for a few min...see if she gets used to you.

Sometimes estrella likes to explore the room in this way...just keep a close eye on her, and make sure that she doesn't get into any kind of trouble...

After a while she should calm down, and you should be able to get close enough to at least put her back in the cage...just don't charge after her as it will only frighten her!

It just takes time! Don't lose patience...

~Also, you may have to teach your baby how to perch...as many don't know how to step up at this age...Estrella didn't at all! Which would explain why she won't land on your hand..she doesn't know how!

[mariusz621]

Is your baby clipped? If so and she lands on the floor, kind of cup your hands around her from either side so she doesn't fly and gently pet her or hold her for a few min...see if she gets used to you.

Sometimes estrella likes to explore the room in this way...just keep a close eye on her, and make sure that she doesn't get into any kind of trouble...

After a while she should calm down, and you should be able to get close enough to at least put her back in the cage...just don't charge after her as it will only frighten her!

It just takes time! Don't lose patience...


She is not clipped. This is not so popular approach in UK. I will consider it as she has a lot of energy and I am sure she won't land on the floor. She chooses the highest points...

[Christian]

Oh, well that kind of rules out my suggestion huh...Estrella came clipped, which makes it a lot easier to catch him...

I guess just be patient and pray that your baby lands soon! You may want to try talking softly to it, and maybe the scare will pass!

Keep me updated, and I hope things work out in your favor REALLY SOON!!!!

[Christian]

Maybe someone in the forum who has unclipped lovies..will be able to offer some suggestions!!!

[Janie]

My two younger boys were handfed/raised and while they were fairly easy to deal with, I would not have had an easy time if they hadn't been (wing) clipped the day I got them. While they were very friendly to the breeder and her family, they had no idea who I was or that I was going to be their new momma. I kept them in a bedroom (quarantine for my other lovies protection) and visited them several times each day for about 30 minutes each time. They could fly but not more than about 4 feet UP. I won't kid you, they would have been just as happy if I'd have left them alone and only bothered them with fresh water, seed or veggies and no interaction from me but then they would not have learned to accept me as part of their flock and that was important to me. I wanted "pet" birds, not just a pretty bird sitting in a cage, and that takes work....time and patience.

It doesn't take a tame young lovebird long to revert back to being wild so I did not give them that chance. I held and petted them from the very beginning but they were used to that since breeder and her daughter held them daily for the two months before I got them. If I were you, I'd call the breeder and ask her how often your lovie was held and how she reacted to being held and petted. Normally I would not suggest or recommend someone grabbing and holding a "new" lovie but if this is something that your bird is already used to, I'd do it. I did not hold my older lovie, Oliver, for almost 2 months after I adopted him. I wanted him to feel comfortable and secure before I did that and it turns out that he didn't mind at all. :)

I also want to add that some birds don't really like to be held but it does help to be able to do it incase you have an emergency and need to hold one.

I'm sure you've already said but I don't remember if your lovie has had a wing clip. That is definitely in order for a new lovie while your trying to tame him. A good clip is important.....one that allows your bird to glide to the ground instead of thumping to the ground.

[BarbieH]

First, make the room as dark as possible. Most birds don't like flying around much in the dark. At least, the darkness will slow your bird down. Then put a small light near the cage, leave the cage door open, and wait.

If nothing happens, get a tea towel in hand; when your bird is sitting still, try to place the towel on the bird and very gently pick it up.

Added: They are easier to catch in smaller rooms.

[Janie]

She is not clipped. This is not so popular approach in UK. I will consider it as she has a lot of energy and I am sure she won't land on the floor. She chooses the highest points...

Oops, you were typing this while I was replying. OK, what I'd recommend is that you find a good vet willing to do a wing clip or ask the breeder to do it. Otherwise, there are good instructions here on the forum that will tell you how to do your own. I was not comfortable doing my own when I first got Shy and Big Boi but I had many options so it didn't matter that I was a chicken. :D Had I not had an avian vet (my vet believes in wing clips, mainly for safety) or other places that would do it, I would have learned to do it myself.

I can't imagine how hard it would be to work with a lovie who has full flight and doesn't know you well enough to trust you yet.

[linda040899]

There is a major difference of opinion on this topic between pet owners here in the US and pet owners in Europe. You may want to consider a wing clip just long enough to tame her and then let the flights grow back in. Limiting flight does have its advantages, at least in some cases.

[mariusz621]

Oops, you were typing this while I was replying. OK, what I'd recommend is that you find a good vet willing to do a wing clip or ask the breeder to do it. Otherwise, there are good instructions here on the forum that will tell you how to do your own. I was not comfortable doing my own when I first got Shy and Big Boi but I had many options so it didn't matter that I was a chicken. :D Had I not had an avian vet (my vet believes in wing clips, mainly for safety) or other places that would do it, I would have learned to do it myself.

I can't imagine how hard it would be to work with a lovie who has full flight and doesn't know you well enough to trust you yet.

I will conider the clipping this weekend...
I have taken a few pieces of cheerios which are the bird's treats and stood on a chair so I was on the same high as bird. The stranges thing is that she came on my hand for a just a few secounds, sample my fingers which was a bit tickling and tried a piece of her treat. So much effort, but he had a first contact. Short, very short, but it is just a 2nd day I have her...

[mariusz621]

There is a major difference of opinion on this topic between pet owners here in the US and pet owners in Europe. You may want to consider a wing clip just long enough to tame her and then let the flights grow back in. Limiting flight does have its advantages, at least in some cases.

Yes, I know. I will consider it as I am not strongly against it. Is the bird develop enough to clip her wings? I think I read somewhere that it should be avoided in the stage when birds learn to fly...

[mariusz621]

First, make the room as dark as possible. Most birds don't like flying around much in the dark. At least, the darkness will slow your bird down. Then put a small light near the cage, leave the cage door open, and wait.

If nothing happens, get a tea towel in hand; when your bird is sitting still, try to place the towel on the bird and very gently pick it up.

Added: They are easier to catch in smaller rooms.
I will follow these suggestions if she doesn't want to come back on her own...thanks

[citygrlup]

Oh boy, sounds like a clipping will help a lot, when you do get her.

[linda040899]

Obviously, she's not terrified of you or she would not have come to your hand for treats. Try sitting closer to her cage with the treats. If she comes back again, you can simply move your hand in the direction of her cage and, hopefully, she will go inside! If she's really hungry, this should work nicely.

[lbnubie]

Hello all, this is kind of off track, but I realize that everyone here is saying to try to hold the lovie as soon as possible...
I have gotten mixed reviews on whether or not to try picking him up and am frustrated b/c my lovie is just the pretty bird that Janie referred to.
My lovie is a year old this month, but I have only had my lovie for 3 wks come tomorrow and I have no idea how the previous owners dealt w/him-I know there were 2. I have not been able to hold him or take him out of his cage once!!! I am taking him to get his wings clipped tomorrow, but should I try to hold him in the meanwhile or should I try to hold him after, or not at all!!!!??!?!?

[citygrlup]

If you are taking him/her for a clipping tomorrow then I would wait til the wings are clipped. Once your babys wings are clipped she/he will likely trust you more and allow you to scoop her up with more ease then you are having now. They need YOU A LOT more then when they have full flight.

Once you can scoop her/him up you can start to bond and gain more trust between both of you.

I cant wait to hear tomorrow after the clipping and about your first time holding the baby! Its so exciting! I just love mine more and more and more everyday. The little baby steps that they allow you to take with them is so rewarding!

good luck tomorrow!

[michael]

Ibnubie. Trying to hold a bird as soon as possible isn't necessary when the object is to gain each others trust. I believe letting them make those first moves is far more rewarding and may also add to your trust in her not taking a finger apart. Reaching out to "get em" could be just that in the eye's of a lovebird who doesn't know you but for only three weeks. The idea's offered throughout this community such as the "step up" approach, offering treats, or simply letting them explore on their own while your nearby are far more suitable. Wing clips though controversial in the U.K, quite frankly are in the U.S. and other countries as well. Regardless where the opinions come from, wing clips can be used as a safety measure and a tool to help facilitate handling in the event of an emergency, and should only be used as such. Although at times clipping does make them more dependent on you, they are more or less at your mercy so to speak. They still deserve the same patience and understanding as without their wings clipped. Getting them to come out isn't quite so difficult as getting them back in, so that could be a good thing for now. I've had to take many trips to the upstairs bathroom in the past to retrieve my lovebird Goofy. Since clipping him, even though he's fully flighted once again, I no longer have to go "get em". :) .......Take care...... Michael and Goofy

[mariusz621]

I appreciate your input Michael. That's what I am want to do; win the bird trust without any prior discomfort for the bird.

It is quite interesting what happened yesterday. The bird was out for about 2 hours and got quite comfortable on top of the ceiling light. After 8pm when got a bit darker I assumed she won't be so comfortable flying as I understand birds don't like to move much in dimmed light. I got some of her treats and move my hand close to her which she did not mind. I had pushed my hand against her belly a bit and she step on my hand. She did feel a bit unsure and was checking my fingers with her beak which I found adorable. I was able to move very slowly across the room towards her cage, and I stopped my hand in fron of the entrance to her home. She went inside the cage. I have spend a few minutes next to her and she as usual has fallen asleep.
What I like about yesterday's experience is that nothing has been forced. The bird came to my hand on her own accord. I am not sure if my progress will be as good as some people with the clipped birds which are more dependant.

[Janie]

Hello all, this is kind of off track, but I realize that everyone here is saying to try to hold the lovie as soon as possible...
I have gotten mixed reviews on whether or not to try picking him up and am frustrated b/c my lovie is just the pretty bird that Janie referred to.
My lovie is a year old this month, but I have only had my lovie for 3 wks come tomorrow and I have no idea how the previous owners dealt w/him-I know there were 2. I have not been able to hold him or take him out of his cage once!!! I am taking him to get his wings clipped tomorrow, but should I try to hold him in the meanwhile or should I try to hold him after, or not at all!!!!??!?!?

I would not recommend trying to hold a lovie who is new to your home unless it's a bird that you have history on, and know he/she doesn't mind being held. I did not hold Oliver for 2 months after I got him and then only after his former owner told me it would be fine, just to pick him up....so I did and it was fine but we were already fairly bonded by then. With the second two, I did hold them from the first day because I'd already held each one at the breeders home several times. They were hand-fed birds who were very used to being held and petted, otherwise, I would have waited a while before trying to hold them.

I do think it's important to get your lovie to the point of at least stepping up so that if you need to get him somewhere (like an emergency trip to the vet) in a hurry, it won't take hours trying to "capture" him. The first thing I taught Big Boi and Shy was to step up. I took them in a small bathroom (seperately) and worked with them several times a day for a month. That's not to say they would step up for anyone but me in the beginning but eventually they came to trust other family members, too, and would step up for them.

I know all lovies and their personalities are different but I just happen to have three that have been very easy to bond with. Yes, I have put a whole lot of time and effort into working with them and I was and am patient with them but I have to admit, it's been very easy. I take some credit for that but I do realize that much of it has to do with them and the way they are period. My guess is that my three would have adjusted easily to anyone who had taken them in and loved and cared for them.

[Mydoona]

My Keikos wings aren't clipped either so I got one of her perches out and held it out and she went to it.but then she is quite tame now and will sit on my shoulder,head etc,buy a bird gym for the floor and she migh perch there too. I am from Australia.

[michael]

Mariusz621...The learning/bonding experience shared between you and your lovie over time is so wonderful. I feel its worth it regardless of the time it takes. To expedite that process, or progress if you will, by wing clipping is part of the controversy. And I think this is misunderstood by many poeple. Either way, I myself have a preference for not clipping but know there are many other good reasons for doing so. Even though these are wild animals, they have been bred for domestic purposes. Having one get loose in certain area's would mean a slow death for some lovebirds and other species. Last year during the summer we had lots of activity entering and leaving our home so clipping was an added safety measure. I really, also expected that my lovebird would become more attached to me. It felt like he did afterwards, but honestly I don't think it made a bit of difference, especially after his wings grew back. Besides he was friendly before, during, and after the clip. I think with very aggressive birds, after a fair amount of time, clipping wouldn't necessarly be a bad thing, and just might help in forming a more "comfortable relationship". Unfortunately, I don't really have enough experience with clipping to determine whether thats entirely true or not. I do continue to feel clipping is a viable choice all lovebird owners should have due to the fact that it can facilitate proper care and handling. Which can be misunderstood by some belief systems that occasionally disregard the facts. I think your progress is moving along just fine. I've learned sometimes its with the timing of when you take them out that can help too. Like a couple hours before they go to sleep so that you know their most likely to return to their cage. Knowing that some of us don't have as much time as others, scheduling can help in setting reasonable limits to spend ample time with your lovie and still manage other affairs as well. I'm all for spending as much time as possible with our companions, but I've noticed a few poeple who may be spending a little too much time from the start which could have negative results should they feel discouraged. From what you've shared with us Mariusz, I sense you already have the patience regardless whether you decide to clip those wings or not............Take care.........Michael and Goofy