New Lovebird owner - advice please?!?

Question

Hello,

I got 2 blue masked lovebirds about a couple of hours ago. They are about 40 weeks old. A lady at the shop said she didn't know their s*x, but said its vertially impossible to tell their s*x unless you go to the vet. Im guessing it is normal whenever i go to touch them they move away, but besides they seem pretty settled and are chirping away. ANY ADVICE WHATSOEVER WOULD BE HELPFUL ON HOW TO RAISE A LOVEBIRD. Thankyou Olivia

Answer 1

firstly because you have 2 it is very unlikely that they will become very tame unless you have constant contact/speak to them regularly. They can be fed a variety of things, grapes, dandelion leaves, apples, yogurt, banana, BOILED rice, bread (wholemeal) etc. DO NOT FEED ACIDIC FOODS OR AVOCADO AS IT WILL CAUSE DEATH!!! eg orange, lemon, lime etc. they can become very good companions. if they tweet a lot it means they are happy. try feeding them millet through the cage bars by hand and eventually work your hand into the cage until they happily hop onto your hand without the temptation of treats. oh yes and also keep dairy produce to a minimum to avoid diohherea visit parrotparrot.com =]

Answer 2

I don't know if this applies, but it should help in the future. In the case that your birds got out of your house and flew away, here's a tip to help them come back. Try training them to perch on a pencil, so whenever you hold it out, they would come to it.

Hope this helps, good luck!

Answer 3

Definately let them get used to their environment for a week or two. It will help make them comfortable.. ive had two lovebirds(one of which i still have), a cockatiel, three conures, and two quakers. Birds are all different, the ones who are handfed like most of my birds will be more social. My lovebird was not handfed so at first he didnt want to really come play or anything but we worked with him everyday and now if you let him come out of his cage, which he does, he will let you pick him up. We would take him out of his cage and hold him gently, rub his back and talk to him. When he is in the cage we go and talk to him and whistle at him. He will try to mimick us usually. Also the fact that you have two together can affect how much they want to do with you but again it depends all on the bird. I have my lovebird and my conure together in one cage and they love it. They get along great and have never fought, they even whistle at each other. But they both enjoy coming out and playing even one on one. Just work with them and play with them, talk to them and just simply interact. If anything it will enhance your bond and their trust to you.

Also make sure you change their food and water everyday, birds are picky and only eat what they want out of their bowl so chances are by the next day they wont have muh left that they will actually eat. Make sure if they p**p in their food or water you change it ASAP. Its not healthy for them but birds are naturally messy so it can happen. Make a routine and follow it. My birds get covered at night so when i wake up in the morning i uncover them, usually around 8:00am then i change their food and water and talk to each of them as im doing it. We have school and work but afterwards i let my birds out in two sessions (not all of them get along together) yours can come out together though) I let them play and i play with them. Then at 9:00 pm i cover them back up for the night... My birds are used to this and it doesnt really take that long for them. Birds can be a joy as long as you can be patient.

Good Luck! =)

Answer 4

Understand that putting them into a new environment is stressful.

You should put the cage somewhere where they can enjoy some peace and quiet. Near a doorway, or around corner isn't a good idea because they'll be startled when people suddenly appear 'out of nowhere'. Likewise, don't put them next to a telephone! Don't try to handle them for a while. After a week or two, they get comfortable.

The birds bond to one another, NOT YOU. Some species that's not so. What I'm saying is that the lovebirds may allow you to pick them up eventually, they aren't going to hop eagerly onto your hand like my quaker or cockatoo will.

There are book available (check http://www.amazon.com) that are specific to lovebirds.

Good luck!