Lovebird will not go in her cage

[walterbyrd]

I have had Punky for three weeks.

I used to be able to get her in her cage, but not anymore. I have tried everything I can think of.

I put her favorite foods in her cage, and let her know. I play lovebird videos on my phone, and put my phone in her cage. Those things used to work, but not anymore.

She will not get on my arm, except to eat millet. If she thinks I am going to put her in her cage, she will fly away.

When I let her out of her cage, she flies all around the house. She will fly away if anybody approaches her.

I am about to give up, and keep her in her cage all the time.

Anybody have any ideas?

 

[Jerseyjeff62]

Wing clipping? until Punky gets the idea of going back into the cage

 

[OOwl]

I have tame lovebirds but they sometimes resist going back home. We solve that with offering their fav treat (for each one, it's a different thing) and offer that ONLY for "back home." It sounds like your bird is only partially tame and is fully flighted, which makes it difficult. You probably have no choice but to towel, but if you do that, I'd still use the terminology you want to send her "home" and put a really high-value treat in her bowl. She/he will learn and probably soon start heading back to her cage when you say your phrase or pull out the towel. I have a parrotlet that is just a real little stinker about going back to his cage, no matter how long he's out. He will bite the fire out of you if you try to catch him (and he's tame as anything otherwise). He's fully flighted but can't be clipped due to a deformed foot, so I just turn off the lights in the room he's in and towel him (he knows the drill and is no longer even put off by it). He absolutely will not go back to his cage otherwise. I have a female lovebird that I just show the towel and she immediately heads back to her cage. Each one is different. Good luck and please keep letting your bird out to fly around. They need that. It enhances their life so much, no matter what the cost to us.

 

[Kyoto]

I used to just ask them to go in, and they would go in! My lovebirds and budgies were always super good about going back.

Kyo my gcc is a different story. I too, reserve her almonds for going back into the cage only. She will immediately run into her cage when I ask her now, since she knows an almond is waiting for her. It took us about a month to do this regularly though.

She also has a very large cage, since I am not home most of the day. I think it helps her want to be in there more since it's filled with fun toys that I rotate around.

Good luck with your lovebird!

I want to add, only ever give her food or water in her cage. She will eventually have to go in there, and then you can treat her when she does and close the door.