shes getting worse

[rach83]

i havent had my lovebird for long but it seems she is getting worse not better. she did sit right up on my shoulder now sort of hangs half way up my arm and doesnt come any nearer. she also just keeps running away from me when shes on the floor whereas last week she was happy enough to jump on my hand.
when i do get her on my hand she flies off straight away.
i dont yell at her and i offer her millet which i know she loves but she looks afraid of it when i offer it and only eats it if i go away. i know you have to be patient but i am going backwards HELP

[mariusz621]

i havent had my lovebird for long but it seems she is getting worse not better. she did sit right up on my shoulder now sort of hangs half way up my arm and doesnt come any nearer. she also just keeps running away from me when shes on the floor whereas last week she was happy enough to jump on my hand.
when i do get her on my hand she flies off straight away.
i dont yell at her and i offer her millet which i know she loves but she looks afraid of it when i offer it and only eats it if i go away. i know you have to be patient but i am going backwards HELP

I don't think you are going backwards.
When I first got my lovebird, after a day or 2 she would always step on my hand. Now she feels much more relaxed and accustomed to her surroundings and in the last few days sometimes she refuses to cooperate. I think she wants everything on her terms now.
When I let her out now, I leave her alone to do her own stuff as I know she would not necessary come to me. After a few minutes she comes to me without me asking her and stays for hours usually falling asleep on me.
Maybe you should give her a bit more freedom. I found that my bird is always interested in what I am up to and always comes to check the mobile phone when I am using it, or remote controls when I change channels.

[Elle]

I agree with Marius. After a while, our birds become a little more comfortable and feel they can relax and don't feel the need to be on us 24/7. You can try new games to get your lovebird interested. I know mine come flying in if I turn on the water tap in the kitchen. My Grey will be at your feet in less then 2 minutes if you open the door to the fridge. Phoebe loves when I go in the office so as soon as I head for there, she's right on me.

Birds are curious and playful. They like to cuddle but they also like to play. Make it fun for you as well as for them. And no, you are not going backwards.

[Janie]

Rachel, I agree with the above....you're not going backwards just still in the "getting to know you phase." If you'd had your bird for several months and she'd been very friendly and then suddenly changed and acted frightened, then I would worry about something that might have happened to cause that but you've only had your bird a little over a week and that is still no time at all when it comes to trust and bonding.

My second two were hand fed and tame the day I brought them home (9 weeks old) but it still took at least a month or two for them to form a bond with me and to learn to trust me. While they knew the breeder and her family, my family and home were nothing but complete strangers to them. I'll add that it was more like 6 months before they really considered me as one of their flock.

Keep doing what you're doing, be consistent and show her lots of attention and patience. :)

[ittyandrita]

Rachel ('m rachel too :) ) it sounds like she's just more comfortable and doesn't need your protection anymore. even my super tame lovie would run away when he was on the floor cause he didn't want me to pick him up, he was having too much fun. it's like she's going through her teenage phase and needs her independence. the fact that she'll hang out on your arm is great, even if its not your shoulder anymore. Also, maybe try sitting on the floor when she's running around, ignore her and act all interested in and play with some type of toy she likes, that always gets my birds attention.

Elle- my conure does the exact same thing as your grey when he hears the fridge open. he also flies on to the top of the cupboards and screams at me if I dont give him his breakfast fast enough in the morning.

[rach83]

thanks guys, you have made me feel better. i am trying just letting her go and explore without being in her face (and thats hard cos shes so gorgeous) and would like to announce that today she came out of her cage for the first time by herself... yay