Hi All!!

[Bluegem]

I am so happy to find this page. I just got a lovebird and have never owned before. We got him on Sunday and I'm trying to get him to gain my trust. But I bought him this cozy, furry, plush nest that he loves but I feel like it's causing him to be less likely to bond with me if I leave it in the cage, because whenever I try going near him he just retreats into it. So I just took it out and he's not very happy. I am not facing him but sitting near the cage at the computer and hes screeching at me!! He's pretty mad!! Also because when I took the nest out he was in it and we had a bit of hard time getting him in the cage. I tried grabbing him but he was freaking out so much that eventually I just put the cage next to him and he hopped in. Also I read in the blog that giving him a constant food source is "spoiling" him, I didn't know that. How often and how much should I be feeding him.

[Michael]

Assuming the bird is young, keep a steady source of food available. Work on building trust by:

A) Not being bad (be calm, don't do anything sudden, don't scare it, etc)
B) Be good (by offering treats, talking to it, showing toys)

Eventually you can begin target training. While the bird is young, it may only be necessary to withhold food for a few hours prior to training. As it gets older though, greater degrees of food management may become necessary for training motivation.

[Bluegem]

Ok yeah the guy in the bird specialty store said he is 12 weeks old. So I will keep his food coming. But as far as the little nest, should I give it back to him? He loves it but it makes it easier for him to remain isolated and avoid me. Thanks for the quick response BTW!!

[Michael]

I don't think they should have it. Anything that breeds aggression, nesty, or hormonal behavior isn't worth it. Put the cage in a place it will feel safer like up against a wall.

Take this as an opportunity to introduce the bird to as many foods as possible and let it develop preferences. Later on you can see what its favorites are and use those for training.

[Bluegem]

Ok thanks so much!! Should I give him fresh fruits, the store had a lot of dried... Also he's in the living room so I cover the cage at night, what are your thoughts on that? And I had a question about your larger parrot, why does his head feathers look gray, is that an aging thing?

[Michael]

Fresh fruits, dried fruits, veggies, seeds, nuts, etc. All good to try. Covering the cage at night is good but I would leave a nightlight or make sure it's not completely pitch black to avoid night frights and so the bird can find it's perch if it moves.

Red on Cape Parrot head is for females and babies. Adult males lose the red on head but develop red on wings and ankles.

[Bluegem]

Thank you again for all your information!! Really, really helps!!

[Bluegem]

Just an update, Zazu is doing so good!!! I ended up just going with the grab and hold method and now he's just hanging out on my chest as I type this!! Thanks again!!