New to lovebirds . Questions!

[chirpingtweet]

So a long story short I used to have a budgie years and years ago.
A few months ago my boss gave me a wild budgie she found. I wanted a pet and he just wasn't it so I sold him and got another one from petco.. bad idea yes.. he also was wild even after months of training. sold him to a woman who was head over heels for him.
A month later I go to a pet store and fall in love with an english budgie baby.
Was going to take him home next week.
Went today to check on him and he was on the verge of death. The breeder is treating him but it unknown what he has- she has separated him from all other birds in a special room- might be a crop infection who knows.
So odds are he won't make it too bad because because I really liked him the fiesty ness and happy cheeps.

So the breeder asks about lovebirds and if I would be interested.

She pulls out one blue pastel, then another one that are one week from being weaned. then she goes out and get three more and then a fischer lovebird and piles them all on me. THey all grouped together and sat nicely on my arms.
I started to narrow them down. Two walked away and wanted nothing to do with my so they were gone. Then the blue pastel hopped away and wanted nothing to do with me.
The fischer kept grooming my arms. I gave him to my mom to hold and my mom was concerned it would be bitey because he was a little mouthy.
The other almost weaned one sat on my shoulder, fell asleep on my arm and was content to be with me, the other love bird only wanted to be on me if another one was. So in the end I decided the younger one was the best.

So here are my questions- I have about a week until the one is ready and fully weaned.

ARe lovebirds bitey? are they loud? I like quieter birds- my one budgie would do a shrill shrill call all the time.
What are their personalities?
Any real difference between male and female? I know they are impossible unless dna sexing.
Does mouthyness lead to biting?
Are normal lovebirds better than fischer ones?
What should I know about them??

Thanks!

 

[Lovie]

Hi! Welcome, and congratulations.

1. Lovebirds can be bitey. Some people say lovebirds are even known for biting, but it really depends on the bird.
2. They can be a little loud. If it's a Fischer, it shouldn't be too bad, but it will still be loud sometimes. It'll be louder than a budgie, probably, but not earsplittingly loud.
3. Their personalities? It honestly depends on the bird. For the most part, though, they're very sweet, and they will make you laugh.
4. There's not really a visible difference, especially when it's young. You might be able to guess based on personality, but it's difficult.
5. Mmm.... maybe mouthiness leads to biting, but (guess what?) it depends on the bird.
6. By "normal", do you mean peach-faced? Those supposedly have more annoying calls (I guess I might agree). In terms of health... it shouldn't make that much of a difference. If you bonded with a Fischer, buy a Fischer.
7. Like other birds, you'll have to be patient with your lovie. It'll be worth it (even though there will be some moments where you might wonder). Your bird will make you laugh and smile, I promise.

 

[chirpingtweet]

Thanks for the quick reply.
I guess I'm just worried about a bitey bird...I dealt with a cockatiel who was sweet until he turned one then he turned into a biting nightmare.

What are the personality differences between male and female?

So are Fischers sweeter or no?

 

[Lovie]

Females are apparently more hormonal sometimes (especially when it's close to their "egg time"), and they can be a little territorial.

Fischers sometimes are a little hard to tame, but it seems like yours is already tame. Other than that, I think peach-faced and Fischer's are basically the same.

 

[MikeyTN]

I think you need to rethink as you get one and rid one. It takes time and patience to train or retrain a bird. Even one that was friendly can turn mean due to improper training or hormones at times but all thatt can be trained again once you give them the proper training that's needed and time to devote. So please do think twice to get another bird until you understand the responsibility of owning a bird. They're not for you to dispose of when your unhappy with how they turn out. It is not the right reason to own one that you think how they should act like.

 

[chirpingtweet]

Thank you for the replies
I guess I should have gave more detail about the two birds. The first one was completely wild I tried for months to tame him. My neighbor ended up taking him to add to her other budgies and he was happy. The other bird did not like me at all months and months and no bond so I gave him to a woman who just keeps him with another bird. So obviously they are both happy so I didn't just irresponsibly toss them out. My previous budgie I had until he died at age ten and boy he was amazing.
Anyways I'm going back again today to see the one I picked out and also the Fischer one. I don't jump into things and I'm doing a lot of research. Trust me I don't want a bird I'm going to hate in a year I want a best buddy.
I understand hormonal flare ups and such my budgie would go through angry times and I would just let him be

 

[MonicaMc]

Ever considered doves or grass parakeets???


May I ask how you tried taming your other birds?

 

[Fearaffect]

Ive noticed that people who have/had 'tiels think Lovies are loud.....but to me they are just more chatty....not really screatching/screaming, just always chirpin away to themselves or to you.
Females are known for being cage aggressive....but once out of the cage, if tame, they are easy to handle...and they do get hormonal....Ive never had a male, so not sure how it is with them.

 

[MikeyTN]

Oh Lovebirds are loud for sure!!! I used to raise them years ago....They're not afraid of anything, if something displeases them they will attack! They're like a big bird in a small body. I've got one right now that I adopted off someone awhile back. He's a well behaved boy so far....We'll see how long that lasts.....lol

 

[rosie88]

I own a fischer lovebird (NARU) who is around 1 yr old and he is the most decent guy i have ever come across even i found budgie to be more chirpy and squawky..neither he is nippy nor aggressive even he is friendly to my friends as well..though i agree he sometimes demands more than usual otherwise he is sweeter and a cuddle bug who loves to sit on my shoulders for hours and get scratches..but at last i will like to say that every bird has its individual personality and needs..!

 

[nrm123]

I have a Fischer about 5-6 months old. Was hand raised but was left un handled with another lovebird before purchase. He(assuming its a he) is bitey if you don't respect him. when out of the cage he happily goes about his business if I try to train him sometimes he doesn't want anything and will run away and bite but other days he will happily accept my hand for some treats(but he has yet to step up). Although the bite hurts it isn't a skin breaking bite.
Like all birds you must respect them, don't get one to just be trained like a circus pet, train it in a way that will benefit the bird, a way that will get the bird to be part of the family.

In terms of loudness mine can be loud. Normal chirps and calls are fine and very pleasant to listen to but the screeches are very annoying after 5 mins of no apparent cause but I stop this by covering the cage for a few mins and all is fine.

 

[MonicaMc]

A circus pet????

Teaching a bird to step up is a 'trick'. Coming to you or going back to the cage are also 'tricks'. The more 'tricks' (i.e. behaviors) a bird knows and learns, the more stimulated their brains will be, thus less behavioral problems that will arise.


There is nothing wrong in teaching a variety of fun and engaging behaviors to birds! And in fact, if there are behavioral problems, it's a great idea! You can redirect behaviors you don't want and replace them with behaviors you do want!


It's not a bad thing.

 

[Sterling1113]

I've had budgies, cockatiels, and lovebirds. (The ones mentioned here on this thread.)
My 'tiels were fantastic. They never really cuddled, but we were definitely bonded. I remember it like it was yesterday. (I was 6/7 when I had my first tiel, and 13~ when I had my second.)
The Fischer's Lovebird, however, was a real wake-up all for me as a bird person. Granted, I was like 8 years old, but he was bitey. He would nip and nip and nip. If he didn't like something, he'd chomp down until it was fixed. He wasn't very loud(from what I recall.) but I didn't have him for very long. I believe my parents got rid of him without telling me because the biting worried them(even though I told them it didn't bother me, and I could train him.) because one day, he just disappeared overnight and they dismissed it was "He must've gotten out and flown away." Yeah, ok.
Anyway, Lovebirds can be a really particular bird to train. Some people have great success, others just aren't fit for it. Like mentioned above, they're very much large birds in tiny bodies. If you don't want to spend more than a few months taming a bird(Trust me the temperament will change with a new environment, and then when hormones come around..) then a lovie might not be best. I'd consider it a TON before bringing home another bird.

 

[nrm123]

A circus pet????

Teaching a bird to step up is a 'trick'. Coming to you or going back to the cage are also 'tricks'. The more 'tricks' (i.e. behaviors) a bird knows and learns, the more stimulated their brains will be, thus less behavioral problems that will arise.


There is nothing wrong in teaching a variety of fun and engaging behaviors to birds! And in fact, if there are behavioral problems, it's a great idea! You can redirect behaviors you don't want and replace them with behaviors you do want!


It's not a bad thing.

That is what I meant from my post. Train the bird to interact better with the family. Not train it to shake and wave only to interact with it when friends are over to show it off.

 

[Sterling1113]

A circus pet????

Teaching a bird to step up is a 'trick'. Coming to you or going back to the cage are also 'tricks'. The more 'tricks' (i.e. behaviors) a bird knows and learns, the more stimulated their brains will be, thus less behavioral problems that will arise.


There is nothing wrong in teaching a variety of fun and engaging behaviors to birds! And in fact, if there are behavioral problems, it's a great idea! You can redirect behaviors you don't want and replace them with behaviors you do want!


It's not a bad thing.

That is what I meant from my post. Train the bird to interact better with the family. Not train it to shake and wave only to interact with it when friends are over to show it off.

I feel like if someone is only training a bird to show it off, they're going to have a hard time getting the bird to do anything! Hehe. Training takes a good amount of time, bonding, and patience from both person and bird alike. You'll find some of the happiest birds out there are some of the best with tricks!!
Like our very own Fargo- feathered friend of a member on this forum- He's a Macaw and he's such a great bird, and he's so smart too!! She(Tab_xo)'s trained him to stick out his tongue, nod his head, do somersaults and roll over, and so much more!! He's such a doll, and the reason he knows all those tricks is because of the fantastic bond. Definitely not something that just anyone could teach a bird.

 

[MonicaMc]

My mitred conure "waves" with his foot (lifts it up) and turns around in a circle. I don't consider him to be a circus pet.... lol

 

[nrm123]

My mitred conure "waves" with his foot (lifts it up) and turns around in a circle. I don't consider him to be a circus pet.... lol

Your not getting my point. Do you interact with the bird daily? Get him to train these to keep him entertained and learn new things? Not train him to do it then only get him to actually do it when you have visitors to show off.

 

[MonicaMc]

I did get your point, nrm123, I just don't want anyone to think these behaviors are "stupid pet tricks" just to show the animal off. These behaviors are actually *great* for animals to learn. It doesn't make them any less than what they are and it can help strengthen a bond between human and animal. Not only that, it can help to fix problem behaviors by teaching them "what to do" instead of "what not to do".


Charlie and Jayde actually hung out with me for several hours today as I was cleaning and organizing the room. I even had both flying around the house after me to get exercise while I moved things around. Other times, I'll have them with me while I watch something or if I'm using the computer. They are my companions, so I spend time with them.


I don't know of anyone who only handles their birds when other people are around.

 

[chirpingtweet]

Thank you all for your answers, you are all very helpful.

Just to update, after researching and thinking I went back to the bird store just to sit and be with the bird.
There was no bond and I didn't feel it was right.
A little English baby budgie instead grabbed my attention.
She came right over to me and plopped down in my hand then began to groom my hand all over while making tiny noises.
So yet again a bird claimed me.

Thank you again for your responses.
I'm super excited for my new budgie-- she has everything I would like in a bird and I do have more experience with budgies than lovies.

 

[lisascannell]

Hello! I have two lovebirds...a male and female. I only had the male to start with. He was aviary bred and I had him a year at least before I decided I would try to hand tame him. It took less than a week to hand tame him! But then when I bought him a mate (a girl) he lost interest in me I can still pick them up though, and they don't bite at all even though they are not tame.
I would desribe lovebirds as little rascals. They are really naughty in a cute way. THey generally don't get along with other species of birds so if you have other birds you have to do out of cage time seperately. THey like to get up to mischief and being out of the cage.