Biting and lots of it now...

[KiwiMango]

My 5 month old peachie is getting smarter and smarter. For the past month, Mango now knows when he's about to go back in his cage every morning. I've had the same routine for the past 3 months. Now his feet lock onto my clothing or he runs to the middle of my back to escape my hand. Nothing can coax him back to me, not even his favorite treat...oh dear:rofl:
Once he is near I let him step onto my finger, if he cooperates (most of the time I can tell he refuse to turn his head to even look at me hehe), otherwise I'm there to scoop him up and return him to his cage, treat in hand when he calms down before I leave. That's when the bites occur; he hates to be removed from me or interupted from anything. Most of the time I ignore the pain and tell him gentle and rub his beak. Still working on it. I feel bad for my bf because Mango is so very attached to me now and does worse things when I'm not around (goes for the toes and ears for fun). The refusal biting needs to stop soon, hopefully after this rebellion age and before the new birdie comes (it's a hen, I had my fingers crossed for a boy but I can't refuse her, she is pretty). I'm working with him everyday. I don't want the newbe getting any ideas. But of course I'll always love my baby, he's sweetie and a cuddle bug until you gotta move him:happy:

[LauraO]

It is very normal for lovebirds to bite at this age. Alot of it is exploration they will grow out of. Mango may also be biting because of the reaction he/she is getting from you/your bf, whether verbal or non-verbal, that is continuing the behavior. It might be a good idea to stick/dowel train Mango so that you can use a stick for him to step up on and put him in his cage with. Of course, you want to use the stick off and on for other step ups as to not to associate the stick with his cage.

It sounds as if you have one cute velcro birdy:D

[kimsbirds]

Abbey, our GCC, knows exactly what to do when we need her back in her cage and she doesn't wanna go. We fought with her for a few days, then we got smart with her favorite food. Dried Papaya. Now when it's cagetime, we get a piece of papaya, hold it in my hand, just infront of her face. She will do ANYTHING for this. Then it's just a matter of dropping the piece into her treat bowl and voila....she follows it right in. This is the ONLY time she gets papaya now, so it's very special to her. You might try a tiny sprig of millet, sunflower seed or safflower seed as a fave for lovies. Good Luck
K