new to lovebirds got a biter!

[crablover]

Hello,
My husband and I just bought a 2 year old lovebird and he was fine the first couple of days and now he is biting. Especially my husband. Is it a dominance thing? He does very well with me in the afternoon when I'm alone with him. But he had bit my husband pretty hard and now he is very leery to get near the bird. Can they sense that? 'Olio' also has a thing for my husband's recliner chair. It is high backed and if he is on top of it he gets mad if we try to get him off of it because we read you want to keep them at heart level or they think they are dominant over you. We don't want to give up on him of course. We really would like to get advice on this. The previous owner had him since he was born but couldn't pay attention to him like she used to anymore. Maybe we are doing too much time with him? Please help! :(

[Paulette]

Maybe try some of the suggestions in another post by BarbieH....she takes her newer lovies into the bathroom for training sessions. My husband comes into the bird room and talks to my birds every evening when he gets home. The tiels especially love it, I think it's his soothing voice. I talk to them alot through out the day, but they get kind of mushy acting when he is around. And of course I'm the one who feeds them breakfast and gets their baths ready and takes care of their cages....so go figure. I have read that you can sit next to the cage and read to them just so they can get used to you without you being in and out of the cage.

I have 3 biters, 2 budgies and one lovie. I treat all my birds the same, they just all have different personalities. You'll have to experiment, here are a few articles from the birdsnways.com site on biting:

http://www.birdsnways.com/cgi-bin/articles.cgi

Good Luck! :D

[mjm8321]

Hello from up north in Oregon!
It sounds like your little lovebird is testing the waters. After the initial honeymoon period, he is seeing what he can and can't get away with. A couple of questions for you? Do you know this bird is male? Also, when is he biting? Is it when he is asked to step up or get taken out of the cage or is it more of a "your in my territory and I'll bite whatever you get close to me" kind of bite? If the recliner is one of the "hot spots" for Olio, I'd say don't allow him back on it until he stops biting. He also may be biting because he's tired and wants to go back to his cage or is hungry. Watch his warning signals for when he is going to bite ( feathers fluffed up on the back of the neck & back, head tipped down) and you can learn to avoid a bite.

Does Olio have flight? A fully flighted lovebird can be a handful.

Don't give up on the little one. He's still trying to adjust to his new surroundings and family and it takes time...and patience. ;)

[crablover]

Thanks so much for the advice! Olio is male and his wings have been clipped but I don't know how long ago. He flies low with short trips like from his cage to the coffee table or the chair. Maybe we are being over zealous with him and he still needs time to get to know us! :) I think you are right about the chair being a hot spot. I will try that. He has been biting at all the times you had suggested. We just want him to be comfortable in his new surroundings but maybe that went quick?!? ;) Thanks again both of you for the advice!

[Mummieeva]

I will say this. My lovebird Baggy is a biter with hands. She does not like my husband one bit. They use to be in our computer room. When she was out she went to husband and would bite the daylights out of him. When I went on a weeks vaccation and he cared for her she bite him and drew blood bad. Now she does bite me at times but has gotten better. My husband no longer trys to touch her and they are in own room now. I would just tell husband it is like having a child using you for teething. Birds can sense fear and if your bird get a reaction might do it for that reason.


Steph

[crablover]

Thank you! I will pass that on to my husband! :)

[crablover]

Just thought I'd let everyone know already Olio is being much better. He's bit me one more time but I didn't give up and now he's getting right on my finger when I say step up. I know it's been less than a week but we realized what we were doing wrong. I think we were expecting too much too soon and I think he was testing the waters too! :wink:
We bring him in the bedroom for his exercise and training and don't go near the recliner yet! I know we have a long way to go but I feel we are all really starting to get to know each other! :happy:
I thank everyone again for your advice and I'll keep everyone posted on our progress and hopefully some pics too!!! :whistle:
:grouphug1

[Janie]

Sounds like you're making good progress! :) I agree, time and patience are two things any lovie needs when going into a new home. I adopted an older lovie (about 7 ?) two years ago and even though he was a non biter, it did take a couple of months to earn his trust. Now.....he's a velcro birdy! :D In the beginning, since he didn't know any of us, he was an equal opportunity bird but now, having spent the better part of two years on MY shoulder, he will nip at anyone who tries to take him away from his momma! :D If he's not on me, he will go to my husband or son with no problem.

Keep on doing what you're doing and you will see changes. Heck, I'm still seeing changes with my boy! All good! :D

[crablover]

Hello everyone!
I thought I'd update Olio's progress. He's doing great. We still have an occasional 'attitude';) from him but he is adapting very well. We have decided to use a dowel instead of our fingers for him to step up and that works very well. I guess for now we don't want to take any chances. :D I can understand why people love these birds! He's sooo funny with his antics! Thanks again for the advice.:grouphug1

[Buy A Paper Doll]

Hello! Thanks for the update! I'm glad to hear that Olio is settling in nicely.

[Mummieeva]

I am glad he is doing better.


Steph

[Janie]

Yes, thanks for the update! It's great to hear that you are enjoying him so much. I was amazed at how attached I could become to a bird. I've always loved animals, dogs and cats, but who knew how wonderful a pet bird could be!? I do now! :D