Need to Work with a Green Nape Rainbow Lory

[Sesha]

Hello, I'm new to this site and to birds as well. The only birds I've ever worked around would be chickens and parakeets. I recently started working at a pet store and do have to handle animals, especially when cleaning their cages. I thought it would be best to study about this particular species so that the stress can be reduced for both me and the bird (plus to answer any customer questions).

I'm not sure what gender the bird is, so I'll refer to it as a "he" for now. This bird is full of enormous amounts of energy, which I read later on was perfectly natural for this bird. However, I mistook this excessive energy as a sign of aggression, and was somewhat weary around him. He appears to be full grown, as his plumage matches the coloration of pictures of adult Lories that I found on the internet. One of the employees handles the bird on a daily basis, and so the bird is exceptionally friendly towards him. I read that Lories tend to be a one-person bird, is this true?

Are there any particular body movements, sounds, or any other things I could pay close attention to that would help me to figure out his mood and what he might do? He bobs his head when I approach, seems to try to bite me at times, and sometimes he just sticks his tongue out at me. Also, I've noticed that his pupils seem to dilate really, really fast on a few occasions. Are these signs of excitement or aggression? If aggressive signs, is there anyway I could help this bird to grow accustomed to me over time?

Thank you very much for any help or advice you can give. Also, any good websites on Rainbow Lory behavior would be greatly appreciated.

[Luvmygrey]

Welcome to BB! I don't know much about Lorys, but I am sure others on this board can give you some good advice!

[irlgirl]

welcome to bb.my name is julie,i have a rainbow lorrie called cookie who is a little nutcase.cookie doesnt really have a favourite person he interacts different ways with all of us thou.they love water and learning new whistles and words. I have noticed that with cookie he is very reluctant to bite he may look as if he will but sort of pushes us away rather than bite, one thing I noticed is they love to grab things with their feet and roll over onto their backs with it still in the feet.One way to win a lorries heart is through food especially mango,passion fruit ect. they need lots of things to play with too. they also like to lick things so maybe offer your hand for him to have a bit of a look and taste to build up a bit of trust with him.I have noticed with cookie when he does the thing with his eyes (pining)he is normally flirting with me.try teaching him a whistle that only you do so when he sees you coming he will do it back to you.does he actually come out of his cage or just stay in?

[Sesha]

Today they took him out of his cage and he happily sat on the door. The other employee played with him for a bit. The bird played with him, bobbing his head up and down, looking at things upside down, moving around, and even gave him "kisses." He let out a very loud "pretty lady" whistle. He'd also kind of growl if you got too close.

I can handle most of the animals in the pet store, but this bird is a little different. Surprisingly limber. When they went to make him "step up" the bird just moved this way and that, and even squatted, until finally he stepped up on the finger.

I just didn't want to scare the bird, or hurt him. So I thought I'd ask about their behavior.