New Rainbow Lorikeet

[Gabriel]

I have read that to you can rearrange (perches, toys e.t.c) in your parrot's cage to help with cage/territoriality. What do you think of this?

[Wolf]

I have heard that it helps, too. Try it and see.

[Gabriel]

I recently brought in my rainbow lorikeet. It is eating well, plays with its toys and steps up most of the time. I have not had it sexed.

When out of its cage, it steps up about 90% of the time, however, when inside its cage, it refuses to step up, and usually takes quite a while for it to comply. Is there any way to make it step up in the reliably?

Also, it likes to run up my arm to my shoulder, but I make it step on my hand before it can reach it. Will it stop after a while?

[Wolf]

Not really, all interactions with birds are based on the birds desire and trust in you. Most birds will step up readily for you when they come out of their cages, but can become protective of their cages as this is their nesting area. I always open the cage door for my birds and wait for them to come out to see me.
Most birds are more comfortable with the highest or nearly the highest spot that they can perch comfortably on their human, thus they do have a tendency to head for the head or shoulders. As long as the bird is not biting me when on my shoulder, I don't worry about it. I do ask birds to step up onto my hand from my shoulder on a regular basis and by doing this your bird will gradually become more accustomed to perching on your hand and arm. I hope this helps.

[Pajarita]

Yep, what Wolf said. All I have to add is that I would not recommend insisting on the bird stepping up if he doesn't do it after asking him twice.

[Gabriel]

Thank you. He/she has been stepping up quite well now, I believe it is probably because he/she is more comfortable around me. He/she also does a poop when I approach him to take him out of the cage.

[Gabriel]

I'm planning to feed him two meals a day, at around 8 am he will get his first meal, around 2 - 2.5 tablespoons of lory mix, and at 4 pm he will get his second meal, the same amount. Are these feeding times fine?

Also, I have been offering him fruits and vegetables, but he is not really eating them, just picking them up and dropping them. Any suggestions on how to get him to eat these foods?

[Wolf]

I am not sure of how much to feed this species of parrot. Is the food that you are giving the dry mix or the wet mix or both? It makes a difference as to how much to feed as well as what additional foods must be provided.
Sorry about how long it took for me to answer, but I have to find this information in several sources to be able to attempt an answer.

[Gabriel]

I purchased Passwell Complete Lorikeet mix which can be used both wet and dry. On the back side of the package it recommends you feed a rainbow lorikeet ( non-breeding ) approximately 4-5 tablespoons a day. I feed him mostly dry mix, with the occasional morning/afternoon wet mix once a week.

[Pajarita]

I would do it wet every time. They feed on nectar and that's liquid.