Trying to tame a scared lovebird =/

[Dryxxa]

So I adopted a 4 month old lovebird from someone and she is just so terrified of me. I don't force her out of the cage or grab her. She will come out of her cage and just go sit on top of my finches cage she will even fall asleep on it. If I go near her she runs away squawking, she also does this inside the cage if I am changing food or water. She will only eat leafy greens on her own are not very much so o can't try to even offer her food the minute she sees my hand she's gonzo. She doesn't bite, but just wants nothing to do with me. When I sit with her and I just knit quietly(which I knit often) I'll leave her cage open and once she comes out she b-lines for the finch cage. Not sure what I should do to help her warm up

 

[Lacewing]

Please give us more background information. Why is such a young bird up for adoption and what kind of environment did she come from? Was the person that had her a breeder? How much bird experience do you have and how long have you had her?

 

[Dryxxa]

I've had her for about a week now. She came from a home in the city, she wasn't housed in a very large cage (like one of those small Pagoda cages) and was with about 5 others around her age. I mostly have experience in Finches, I wouldn't say they we're a "breeder" someone who probably just had babies. I know this guy did no handling with her at all, she doesn't mind when i come and talk to her, but if i try and go near her it's a big no no.

 

[plumsmum2005]

When she is out and you are knitting are you talking to her lots. It helps build a relationship. If you can also find a treat she loves then you can hold it back for these times and see if you can get her to come at least close by for some?

 

[LordTriggs]

hopefully this works for you like it did with my conure. If you have doors to put the food bowls in/out of the cage try taking a food bowl out, like when you would normally feed it and instead put treat food along with a bit of normal food into your hand and hold it where the food bowl would be. If possible look elsewhere, I personally read a book during this time so it could acclimatize to my voice. I would hold my hand in there until it hurt but after a bit they came over to check it out and quickly began realizing that hands had treats so they relished hands.

Also remember until they have tamed to keep movements as slow as possible to not frighten them

 

[itzjbean]

Hopefully this thread will help you!

Tips for Bonding and Building Trust

 

[DillyAndBaby]

Hi there! I just wanted to say good luck with your Lovebird! I recently adopted a Lovebird that wanted nothing to do with me.... The first time I let him out I couldn't catch him again... It took almost three hours to finally get him safely in his cage. With him it was curiousity and food drive that got him to warm up to me. I let him out of his cage while I went about my daily business and would just talk with him. Eventually he would fly closer to me if he saw I was doing something interesting or if I was eating. Now he is like a puppy and follows me around! I'm not a pro at all, but that's what worked for me and Baby