After a great loss, the blessing of my new Lovebird, and questions

[jjsunlucky]

I recently lost my beloved Quaker, Marley, and while awaiting my newly adopted, 1 1/2 year old blue Quaker, Jezebel, I've been blessed with the new addition of a baby, born Halloween this year, Peach-faced Lovebird, BUKU (West African God of the Sky). This being my first Lovebird, I've done extensive "homework" on Lovies, as to give it the best care I can. However, every parrot is completely different, as are we. So, I was just wanting to hear a few personal stories of the wonder of these little guys, something you can't just learn from generic overviews on health and care.
A few things I'm curious about is in the beginning the best way to get a Lovie to feel comfortable to warm up to you? I ask this because every species of parrot I've had has prefered a different method. I know it's up to him/her, but I would love any advice. Also any other ideas of things to school me in giving this baby every happiness he/she needs, besides my love and respect, of course.
I have loaded the cage with safe toys and tubes, some bought and some made. He isn't afraid of any of the toys what-so-ever, which stuns me, because my other parrots have always taken weeks to warm up to toys. It makes me laugh how quickly he took to everything in his cage, though he doesn't quite know what to do with most of them yet.
Thanks for any stories/experience/advice to help me give my Lovie a happy world!

 

[OOwl]

Congrats on your new lovebird baby. Even though I have other birds, my 2.5-year-old male lovebird, Kirby, is my "heart bird." Looking back, I think what makes him so extra special was the amount of time I socialized him when he was a baby. I literally took him everywhere with me, let people hold him, showed him the world, and had him out numerous times a day at home. It is written you shouldn't spend time with them as a young baby that you won't do when they're older, and that might be true. He pretty much demands to be with me all the time (I work from home so that's easy to do). He doesn't have a mate so I try to compensate since lovebirds are so very social. He grew up to be an amazing companion, one none of my other birds, as fantastic as they are in their own right, can match. He has a bright, sunny personality and is amazingly intelligent (at LEAST as smart as my Grey even!). I love his portability, too (and small poops LOL). When friends come over, they fight over who gets to hold Kirby. He even talks (and quite well and clear). I just adore lovebirds. You just have to watch them pretty carefully because they are so small, FEARLESS, and curious. They can get into trouble pretty quickly. My vet tells me they live a long time if they can avoid accidents. She said most manage to get hurt before they acquire any of the geriatric issues of old age. All that aside, I think tame lovebirds make the most wonderful companions. I love the name you picked out for your bird, totally fitting!

 

[jjsunlucky]

Thanks so much for Kirby's story! The accident of a fearless bird "factor" does worry me, because my fearless Quaker Marley passed away because of an accident of his fearlessness and I was super careful and watchful of him. So that's one thing I'm now sooooo extremely worried about these days, almost phobic about it now. I'm trying to face it straight forward on though, because I want to be super careful, but not to instill me fears upon the baby and not let it overtake our lives and ruin our fun together. So thanks so much for letting me know to be a little more watchful of Lovies.
I too am at home always, but I don't want him/her to get to set on being overly needy of me since we are a multi-parrot family. I want them each to get and understand their own peice of my heart and attention as well as eactothers bird companionship from eachother (though their in their own seperate cages and apart, but cages slightly near eachother, for interaction from a distance).
How did you start interaction with your baby, in the beginning? it's only been 2 days snce he's been home, so I'm taking it slowly, taking him out of the cage 2-3 times a day and just letting him snuggle up to my neck for 20min or so, then placing him back in the cage and visiting up to his cage all day, good or bad? Any tips?

 

[BillsBirds]

Of the 7 birds that I now have, my Lovie, Elvis, has the most personality. He is always ready for anything, and fears nothing. He is a rescue, I got him without knowing anything about him. But, he was friendly, and we began bonding right away. He is a joy in my life. They are little bundles of energy, curious to a fault. He's gotten himself in trouble a few times. Do not worry so much about your birds. They are like children...you have to let them find out about the world on their own. Yes, we must try to minimize the dangers, but, like kids, they'll learn from their mistakes. I have had a lot of all kinds of birds, but, seem to always have a Lovebird. I do love them so.

 

[crimson]

Congrats on your new addition!! he sounds wonderful, they are amazing aren't they?
I have many birds but being a breeder of lovebirds always thrills me to no end, when I see those little beaks and faces it just makes me melt....totally!!...and I know in the back of my mind I'm going to fall in love with one of these little ones and get to keep one
I have two that I have kept from different clutches, and they are amazing.

I can't wait to get up in the morning and have them cuddle with me. your right, they are fearless, funny, and so very lovable. I adore both of them. when I first had both of them together (Halo is now 6 months, and Diamond is just 10 weeks) they HATED each, fought like crazy, this was out of their cages. In time, over weeks of being together, they finally got it together and now are bonded. Halo was just posessive over me and I think she was worried that I was replacing her with Diamond.
they fly to me when I come into the bedroom and I get kisses! remember lovebirds use their beaks to show affection, so a DRY kiss is the highest form of affection, next to you know what

you just have to watch them, lovebirds like climbing under blankets so be sure to check before you sit down.

 

[aliray]

Welcome to the forum and sorry about the loss of your quaker Marley but congrats on you new lovie and your soon to be new blue quaker.

 

[jjsunlucky]

Well lil Buku (my new lovie) has only been home 2 1/2 weeks and slowly warming up. He is very scared about getting him out of his cage (I pretty much have to chase him around the cage to get him out), and scared of hands, unless they're covered up by a towel. However, he's not scared of faces anymore. Meaning, he will set on my bent knees and let me slowly snuggle my face up to his. Then today as I had him on my knees, I started talking and singing to him and he looked so curious at me. Then he leaned forward and inspected my face, then gave me several sweet little birdie kisses. Whether he was still just inspecting or purposfully giving me kisses, I will take it. Hopefully we're on our way to a close bond. Today is a good day... I hope (and can't wait) until he wants and loves to hang out with his new mommy!

 

[MonicaMc]

It's not really a good idea to chase him around the cage to take him out. You need to encourage positive interactions between you and your birds.

Please, either allow him to come out of the cage on his own or encourage him to come out with food and treats.

 

[jjsunlucky]

I finally uploaded a pic of my adorable Lovie, Buku!

 

[mistywaterwoman]

Omigosh, so pretty!! <3

I am a new lovie owner, taking it slow. I count it as a victory that they will come over to the side of the cage and eat, even if I am sitting next to that side of the cage!! Small steps, lol. They've only been here about 3 weeks now.

 

[OOwl]

Oh my gosh, Buku could be Kirby's twin! I think maybe he has a dark factor to have the darker feet and olive wash to his wings like that. That's what Kirby is, also, a single dark factor. I'm not an expert on genetics at all; but it is interesting to me and Kirby's breeder didn't tell me anything about what mutation he was. I had to discover it from a lovebird breeder in our bird club. I had kinda wondered about Kirby's darker skin feet.

Have you found out if Buku is a male or female yet? I was just curious. He/She sure is adorable. They always are when they're babies, and so beautiful even as adults. It sounds like he is doing great in your care. Continued good luck with him/her!

 

[cdnbirdlover]

Lovebirds are the cutest. Really. Nothing else to say.

 

[jjsunlucky]

AAwwww, they're so super cute! Ya, I never realized how different they are to other birds, but I enjoy every step. I agree with even the tiny steps these lil ones make are big goals also. Also they are so hyper, Buku just cracks me up with his running and swaying back and forth to get my other birds attention. So funny!