upatsix.com - Your Source For Pet Bird Information

I am sure this subject has come up before. Sorry if it is a repeat.

We have had our 2 blue masked lovebirds, Snowey & Petey, for about 2 years. They do not like human contact and hide in the corner most of the time when you come close to the cage. Not always. They don't when they know you are refilling their food or water.

We do not have their wings clipped. We let them out a few times a month to have free run of the living room (yes, bird proofed!!!). But we have a hard time getting them back in.

Any one have some suggestions for us? Is it too late now to get them used to human contact? Should we get their wing's clipped? Or will they just be "beautiful birds to look at" forever?

Thanks in advance!!!

Hi Lisa,
No, it's never too late to try to have contact with your lovebirds! All live creatures will respond to love, kindness and paticnce. That's just about what it will take to win their trust.

You need to start slowly. Try sitting next to their cage and just talking to them. Let them come to you to see what you are all about. You can offer them food through the bars of the cage to let them see that hands are not necessarily bad things. As they get used to you, try just putting your hand inside the cage but not doing anything with it. They may be scared in the beginning but lovies are very curious by nature and they will come to explore, especially if you have something in your hand or around your wrist that might catch their attention.

I would probably clip their wings initially so that they can't fly away from you. Since there are 2 of them and they are best friends with each other, they will prefer their own company to yours. However, if you catch the attention of one, you will catch the attention of both.

Keep in mind that they may never be cuddly but they may enjoy being on you and just exploring. It will take time and patience but the rewards are worth it!

Thanks Linda -
We really have made progress over the years, sometimes doesn't seem it. But I have a table near their cage. When I do crafts or homework, they come to the edge of the cage and watch me. I try to give them food through the cage, but Snowey doesn't respond. Petey will open his beak as if he wants to attack. One time, it was a long piece of food, and he actually grabbed it. I think he thought he was attacking, but realized it was food.

I am just so jealous when I see pics of people loving their lovebirds. Ours are so beautiful and it drives me crazy that I can't touch them. We have a cockatiel that is just the opposite, so it makes me yearn to have that contact with them.

I will keep you posted if we have any good news. I will take it slow. I have been patient up until now...I can wait...I guess!

Hi Lisa,
Sometimes you just have to accept that they like to interact with you but don't want to be touched. I have a CAG who has been with me since late 1990. She will jabber back and forth with me, take food from my fingers, go into her cage on command but I can't touch her. The relationship is on her terms and I'm OK with that. As long as she's happy....

Ha ha, that is funny. It has to be on their terms. Isn't that the way most animals are???? They want you when they want you! We cater to them. But like you said, as long as they are happy. I would love the touching, but it is ok if they just bond to each other. I have a cockatiel that is just the opposite. She wants to be with me all the time. I can never get a moment alone. I just love them all!!!

Thanks Linda!

Just an update...

We let Snowey and Petey out again last night. I was sitting with Casper (my tiel) on my lap with her toys. I could see both of them looking, really curious about her and what we were playing with. Petey did a few fly-bys! Then...he actually landed on my arm!!!!!! Needless to say, I was stunned and THRILLED!! Petey and Casper were only about 1 foot from each other. I wanted to just reach out and grab him and hug him!!

I will just keep trying this, hopefully, that will get them more used to me and one day...I can hold them. One step at a time!

Just in a month, Snowey and Petey have come A LONG way. It is all thanks to Casper (my tiel). Last night Snowey and Petey came out again. I am able to be face to face with them now. I still cannot touch them. I put my hand up and they fly off.

Casper was walking down the hall and Petey saw her...he flew right down to her and followed her. I think my lovebird is in love with my cockatiel! He is so smitten with her...

Lisa, I was just rereading your posts as I watch the Rose Bowl Parade. I was wondering if you are still making progress with your lovebirds.

Happy New Year!

Hi Cathy, thanks so much. We were just watching the parade too!!!

Snowey and Petey are doing great. Still not able to touch them, but that may never come. We let them out around 3 times per week and they are still trying to get close to Casper. They are much less skiddish when we go over to the cage. The just sit there waiting for us to change the water or food.

When we do let them out, they fly all over the house and usually fly where we are. (they are not clipped).

So, yes, they are doing a lot better. I am very happy with the progress they have made.

Thank you so much for asking. Happy New Year!!!!!!

Hi Lisa,
I, too, have been watching the Rose Bowl Parade! It's not nice and sunny (although it's warm) here in FL so the sunshine is pleasant to see!

I'm very glad to hear that Snowey and Petey are doing better! A trust relationship takes time to build and there are no short cuts. Sounds like it's on the way, however. Please do let us know how it's going.

I only have one lovebird which is somewhat tamed now....He will step up onto a stick only outside of his cage. He will not sit on my finger....Lord knows I've tried! It is funny how he always does this...But when he is inside of his cage he will not go onto the stick I offer but he will run to the bottom of the left front cage and wait for me to scoop him up.

I have heard you should always clip the wings when training so they cannot flee and will be more open to contact.

And if you have two Lovies in the same cage it is even harder to tame them....but if they are in separate cages it is easier.

These seems to make some sense but they don't always work.

Like the others have said....persistance patience and Love should bring some results over time.

Good luck!

We had talked about clipping wings, but we have had them for 2 years now and they have been flying the whole time. We decided that we would leave them. I know we might not get the same results with training, but they have so much fun flying around the house. We just hate to end that.

So, for now, we will take it slow and just let them do as they please.

Those 2 are so smart. The second we say "Wanna come out?", they are right at the door of the cage. They are even getting better about going in on their own. Before, they resisted all the way. I think they realize that the more they behave, the more often they can come out.

This may sound cruel, but I have found that using a squirt bottle with warm water works well for training lovebirds to get back in the cage. My breeders found their cage real quick when they got the first squirt and now all I have to do is point to the cage and say, "Get back in your cage, Loki!" and the male responds great. With my female, all I have to do is look at her the right way and she goes back in, but she is a trouble maker and she watches for me to catch her while she is making trouble!. If the squirt bottle doesn't remind them where the cage is, I can just squirt them until I can grab them and put them back. This barely ever happens though, unless there is an escapee while I am feeding and watering. Then they are too excited to get back in the cage!