Parrot Feather Mailing List

  Lovebirds Menu

setting guidelines and rules for lovebirds

• Raising a Tame Lovebird - Part 1
• Setting Guidelines and Rules for your Lovebird -  Part 2

Setting Guidelines and Rules for your lovebird

Teaching your lovebird rules to live by is important for the owner and pet.  The first rule, and most common complaint next to screaming, is lovebird biting.  Lovebird biting is a learned behavior that the bird has picked up to alter a situation to his benefit.  Biting can be reinforced just after weaning if careful attention and proper techniques are not used from day one.  When lovebirds go through a “teething” stage, they often nibble with their beaks.  Some owners don’t know that this stage is a testing time, much like the “terrible twos” in children, and the bird is starting to learn what is acceptable and what is not.

avoid lovebird nibbling and biting

Many owners find this nibbling cute, but what they don’t understand is that it can lead to frequent biting.  During this state, the lovebird should be forbidden to nibble on ears, fingers, or any other human part.  Not allowing this will stop any mixed messages and the bird will learn biting is not acceptable. 

So how do you let your bird know that biting is not acceptable?  Simply move your hand back and ignore the biting.  Do not ever flick, shake, or hit the bird.  You should also never yell at your bird or spray him with water.  These forms of punishment are abusive and considered negative reinforcement.  It will make your bird fear you, and more likely to try and bite and scream at you.  The goal is to teach your bird to behave so you both can enjoy each other’s company.  You can tell the bird “No” a million times and he’ll still never fully understand the meaning.  If you yell for every reaction, then you are continually strengthening the bird’s bad behavior, whether it be biting or screaming.  From the lovebird’s perspective, you are giving him a “drama reward.”  This means that biting/screaming is only being done to get you to show attention or to react to them.  Remember, the lovebird cannot understand us and we need to show him that bad behavior will not get a response.

lovebird distraction is the key

Distraction is a great tool to help detour lovebirds from biting.  In the event that your lovebird is starting to bite or nibble take a pen and allow him to play with it; do this while you are still holding him so it will distract him from biting you but still let you have interaction with the bird.  Our expressions and reactions are rewards for the birds.  If they are doing something you enjoy or love, reinforce it with a happy and excited voice.  This lets the bird know that this behavior is acceptable and is something you like, ensuring that he will continue to do it to gain your affection.  Only give a positive reaction for things you want and never for negative behavior.

Again, like the topic of socialization, setting guidelines need to be practiced from day one.  

basic lovebird rules

Here are major rules that need to be implemented when you bring home your new lovebird.

• Always make the lovebird step up when asked.  If the lovebird chooses not to, try to distract him and ask him again until the task has been completed. 
• Do not yell at your lovebird if he is doing something wrong—distract him using a toy.
• Never let your lovebird climb on your shoulder unless you place him there.
• Have a play pen the lovebird can spend time on.  If the lovebird wonders off, place him back continually if needed.  This is for his safety so he does not wonder into danger where someone may step on him or where he can get into toxic foods or chemicals.
• Never just open the cage door and let the lovebird come out himself.  This promotes territorial behavior.  If the lovebird wants to come out, you are the one that should take him out.  Reach in and have him step up on your finger. 
• Keep the wings clipped.  This makes the lovebird more dependent on you.  This is for the bird’s safety as well.
• Ignore all screaming.  Looking at your bird can reinforce this bad habit, but keep in mind screaming can’t be eradicated completely.