New lovebird - some questions

[Tez]

I just got my lovebird Mango today, and have a couple questions (though I'm sure more will come).
The lady I bought him from said to not let him out of the cage for 2 weeks. I'm assuming she means to give him a chance to acclamatize, but is it really neccesary with 2 whole weeks? I've given my previous birds ('tiels) approximatly 1,5-3 days to settle down. He's a very tame bird, and his cage is much too small (I'm buying him a new one in a few weeks), and I just think that 2 weeks with no flight time is rather cruel. He is very calm, and is eating ravenously (the foodbowl that came with was full of the seed shells), and is drinking just fine too. He's making small "cooing"-like sounds (can't explain it properly) at me, like hes wanting attention.

Would it be ok if I let him out of the cage for a little while so I can clean it? It was covered in muck and is really gross... But since it is suck a small cage, I have to lift off the whole top to clean it, and I'm sure he will use the chance to fly out.

Also, when eating, hes regurgitating part of his food and putting it inside one of those lock thingies that hold his rope swing up. Then he eats it. I've never seen or heard of this before. Anyone know why he does it?

 

[BirdSquawk]

It isn't REALLY a necessity to keep him in there for so long, you can handle and feed him in the cage to get him used to you, so when you let him out he will come to you when it's time to go back, otherwise I would say go for it if he seems used to you. As for the regurgitation, he probably is a little hormonal and 'practicing' feeding his mate or future children, I don't know what your climate is like but it is probably warm enough that it seems like mating season to him. As long as he is not just regurgitating anywhere he should be o.k. Good luck with him, would love to see some pics!

 

[Tez]

Yeh, I decided to let him out shortly after I asked here. He had eaten well, and fallen asleep and cooed at me several times. He seemed calm enough, and his cage was really bothering me. So I opened up the door and sat back to see what happened. He flew straight to my arm, then my shoulder before he adopted my head. Is sitting on the head a show of dominance, or was he just in love with my hair, which he btw cuddled with...?

He was also soooo facinated when watching me clean his cage bottom, that I though he might jump right in, so I got out one of the cats bowls and put a little water in there. He dove in head first...

Here's a couple pics.

 

[cdnbirdlover]

He's so cute (because he looks just like my Basil!).

He likes your head because birdies like to perch up high. And hair is fun. Looks like he had a good bath!

 

[Lintini]

Mango is adorable!!!

 

[Betrisher]

Lovebirds ROCK!!! I'm glad you're already bonding with yours!

 

[mangoandtzippy]

So cute! I love the pics. I bet it felt great to have that bath. The first time I shower Tzippy she went wild with delight! I have a Mango lovie too

 

[Mayden]

Love wet birdy pics! His tail looks gorgeous in the bathing pic!

A lot of people who sell/breed birds tell you to give them a week or so to get used to you. It's to discourage people dashing in with nervous birds. All mine have been out that day/day after though as they've been very eager to get out and explore

The height being a dominance thing is a bit of a myth in my opinion. Birds feel safer up top because it's a "vantage point" to see predators. You'll usually find the 'stragglers' of the flock being highest up as they're on lookout duty. The 'alphas' of the flock being more central, with the fruits... the mates...

Here's a little piece on it that I found interesting; take from it what you will.

http://www.naturalencounters.com/images/Publications&Presentations/Height_Dominance-Steve_Martin.pdf

 

[cdnbirdlover]

Love wet birdy pics! His tail looks gorgeous in the bathing pic!

A lot of people who sell/breed birds tell you to give them a week or so to get used to you. It's to discourage people dashing in with nervous birds. All mine have been out that day/day after though as they've been very eager to get out and explore

The height being a dominance thing is a bit of a myth in my opinion. Birds feel safer up top because it's a "vantage point" to see predators. You'll usually find the 'stragglers' of the flock being highest up as they're on lookout duty. The 'alphas' of the flock being more central, with the fruits... the mates...

Here's a little piece on it that I found interesting; take from it what you will.

http://www.naturalencounters.com/images/Publications&Presentations/Height_Dominance-Steve_Martin.pdf

Totally agree with you about the dominance myth. And as much as I love how a wet birdie looks, the wet birdie smell is even better!