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| Question about Pets:My lovebird keeps biting the blood out of me? |
You don't say how long you had the other bird but if this bird was with a mate for a long time (over a year or so), it may be very difficult to earn its trust since it was very bonded to its cagemate. Also, you refer to the bird as a male but do you know its sex for certain? I have found that female lovebirds tend to be more territorial and aggressive than the males and perhaps what you have is a female.
I think that purchasing another cage and new toys might be a good idea since this bird is obviously very territorial over its environment. Also, have the bird's wings clipped by an experienced bird owner, breeder, handler or pet store person who has done this type of thing. An avian vet can do it too but will probably charge more. The others may not charge you anything.
Once you get the new cage set up you may even want to change the room the bird is kept in. In any case, make it an area where the bird will feel part of the family and while you're sitting watching TV or whatever, leave the cage door open so that the bird can begin coming outside (after its wings are clipped) and exploring its new environment. If you walk over to the cage the bird will likely try to fly off and land on the ground (if the wings are clipped) and it will obviously need to rely on you to get it back up into its cage.
Here is where you offer your finger or hand to step up on. If the bird is still intent on biting you, try using a perch at first to get it to step up. Once it does this, take the bird over to its cage so it learns that you are not going to hurt it but help it get back to its house. Eventually you should be able to get the bird to step up onto your hand or finger and move slowly from that point in teaching the bird to accept and desire your attention. Have special favored treats available for rewarding the good/desired behavior and NEVER, NEVER hit a bird. They don't understand this type of reprimand and it will only serve to make the bird distrust you or serverely injure the bird. Just be patient and realize that this is a learning experience for the bird just as much as it is for you.
If all fails else after at least six months of working with the bird and some of these suggestions, keep the bird the way it is and get yourself a young, newly weaned bird from a breeder. You should be able to locate a lovebird breeder by checking your local newspaper, BirdTalk magazine (in the back they have breeders listed by state), or the internet. The breeder may even be willing to trade your non-tame bird for a new baby.
Best of luck ...
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