panicky lovebird

[Sana]

Hi, I recently bought a lovebird (about a week ago), he's (I'm assuming he's a he for now atleast....) about 2 1/2 months old. He's a real sweetie, very affectionate and very calm.... until I put him in his cage. He acts like I have abandoned him. All he wants to do is come out sleep on me. He'll freak out for hours clibming to the top and screeching. I've read tons of books, so I've followed all the conventional advice...like putting in several toys without overcrowding the cage, putting in different types of foods (pellets, seeds, millet, fruits, veggies, etc...) I handlle him a few times a day for about a half hour at a time, when I'm not around other family members speak to him and handle him....if no one is there, I leave some soothing music on... so I am confused. I'm scared that if I l am gone one day (which I will since I work) he will hurt himself, or rub the skin near his beak raw.....

Any advice?

Sana in Montreal

[Crebain]

Be careful not to let your bird train you to to respond to his commands. I bet if you leave the area where he can see you, he'll actually calm down pretty quickly, and I wouldn't worry about him hurting himself either.

Be strong now, and you'll both be happier for it down the road. Good luck.

[LMPego]

Hi, Sana.
I gave you the advice about paper in the Lovebirds forum. When we put Zen to bed, she yells and hits her beak back and forth against the cage bars like the old prisoners with their cups in the movies. We just have to ignore her and she usually settles down and goes to sleep within 10 to 15 minutes.
I would also look at the cage placement. Is there something near the cage that bothers the bird? Here you'll have to use your imagination and look at it from the birds point of view. I know that lovebirds have a tendency to be sensitive to color. Our bird hates red and will panic and attack anything red.

[Crebain]

"...hits her beak back and forth against the cage bars like the old prisoners with their cups in the movies...."

LOL!

[Sana]

Thank you so much guys...

Yeah, the paper chewing worked great, as did the ignoring the cries...it broke my heart though!!!

Thanks again!