KJ81
04-29-2015, 01:09 AM
Hi everyone, I have recently become a member to educate myself further in all aspects of keeping a pet bird. I have always been fascinated by birds, but more specifically by parrots. I have spent many years bird watching in the rainforests and bushlands of Australia photographing many different species. In the past six months I have been researching different parrot species to gather information for the most suitable match for a 'first time' bird owner. All research narrowed down to three parrots based on my living situation and lack of experience in bird keeping. They were Budgies, lovebirds or cockatiels. I decided to buy a hand-raised masked lovebird from a pet store three weeks ago and I'm looking for some reliable sources of information (particular with taming and trust issues) that will help Skittles and I become better friends. Much of the information on different web pages and youtube videos are conflicting, and it's hard to choose the most effective methods.
I bought Skittles from a pet store that claimed he/she was hand-raised (I'll refer to Skittles as male due to so-called expert opinions, however he has not been tested). The pet store owner mentioned that he was put in a cage with one of his siblings for three months after he was hand-raised, with little human interaction or handling. I was assured by the pet store that he may be a little 'skittish' at first, but should eventually calm down as it was hand-raised. I know it's only been three weeks but I am noticing some behavioural problems and I am worried that I am causing bad habits to develop, apart from the lack of interaction he received at the pet store. He has never bitten me or lunged forward at the sight of my hand until a couple of days ago. The time he is most nippy is when he is in his cage nest and sees my hand approach him, but even then he usually just opens his beak and rarely bites. At first he would lightly nibble out of curiosity, but now he's putting some force into it. When he has bitten, I haven't pulled away or yelled at him. When I have him out of the cage, he looks as though he is frantically pacing back and forth looking for his cage.
I often sit his cage on the back deck to give him some fresh air and he seems to be more active when he's outside. I have wild rainbow lorikeets that come into the backyard to feed on the bottlebrush tree, Skittles gets excited when he hears them and starts to chirp along. Am I damaging my relationship with Skittles by sitting him outside to interact and sing with other birds? If he is hungry he will eat from my hand, but otherwise he wants nothing to do with me. Is there a reliable bird taming book or program that I can follow? Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Kieran :th_smile:
I bought Skittles from a pet store that claimed he/she was hand-raised (I'll refer to Skittles as male due to so-called expert opinions, however he has not been tested). The pet store owner mentioned that he was put in a cage with one of his siblings for three months after he was hand-raised, with little human interaction or handling. I was assured by the pet store that he may be a little 'skittish' at first, but should eventually calm down as it was hand-raised. I know it's only been three weeks but I am noticing some behavioural problems and I am worried that I am causing bad habits to develop, apart from the lack of interaction he received at the pet store. He has never bitten me or lunged forward at the sight of my hand until a couple of days ago. The time he is most nippy is when he is in his cage nest and sees my hand approach him, but even then he usually just opens his beak and rarely bites. At first he would lightly nibble out of curiosity, but now he's putting some force into it. When he has bitten, I haven't pulled away or yelled at him. When I have him out of the cage, he looks as though he is frantically pacing back and forth looking for his cage.
I often sit his cage on the back deck to give him some fresh air and he seems to be more active when he's outside. I have wild rainbow lorikeets that come into the backyard to feed on the bottlebrush tree, Skittles gets excited when he hears them and starts to chirp along. Am I damaging my relationship with Skittles by sitting him outside to interact and sing with other birds? If he is hungry he will eat from my hand, but otherwise he wants nothing to do with me. Is there a reliable bird taming book or program that I can follow? Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Kieran :th_smile: