Screaming Lorie

[dogan]

we got a rainbow lorikeet 2 days ago, its a very nice bird but it wont let anybody near it. Once you go next to it it starts screaming and doesnt stop till you go away.

How can i get it to trust me? It goes nuts when you go right next to it.

I think its a young lorrie because its got a dark beak, its slightly turning orange on the bottom beak.

[Ashling]

Congrats on your new baby! Um, to help you out could you tell us where you got it- breeder? Petshop? Wild? Is it hand fed? Parents raised?
If it had brown on its beak it should be about 10-12 weeks old which is perfect for taming! Do some research on rainbow lorikeets- there's a wealth of information on the net about them. What kind of cage do you have? Where is the cage located? What are you feeding it?
To answer your first question- you'll get him to trust you over time if you are patient and understanding. Sit by the cage and talk/ read to him- as close as he feel comfortable. Move closer as he gets used to your presence- make absolutely no sudden movements or loud noises. Whe he's fine with you being right up to the cage, feed him treats (in order from best treat, in my lorikeets opinion) like native flowers (go for a walk and pick some :D) apple, grapes, spinach leaves (uncooked), mango, corn, grass seeds and sprouts- through the bars of the cage. When he's fine with that, offer it through the door of the cage. When he's doing that happily- and is actually reaching close to you to access the treat, put your hand between him and the fingers with the treat and he should take a step onto your hand to reach the treat. Don't force him, it takes time. When he's comfortable with that, move your hand back so he has to put both feet on your hand- then just sit there for 5 minutes while he sits on you and has a feed. When he's fine with that, you can sllooowwly take him out of the cage while feeding him- no sudden movements or loud noises, and talking softly to him all the time. Soon he will associate you with a yummy treat and will willingly climb down from his perch to jump on your hand and get that treat! Soon you can teach him tricks and to talk and watch him play in that great lorikeet way!!! But be patient- it may take a few weeks, months... but you'll get there, lorikeets are gregarious, playful and curious. If you have any questions pm me- I'm no expert but I just love lorries :D Good luck with your new baby. Hope this helped and sorry it's so long, I had lots to write! If you answer my questions, I'll give you heaps more info :D I love lorikeets! hehe
ps. Where in Melbourne are you? There's a few Mlebournians on here.

[dogan]

we found him sitting in the middle of the road, we put him on trees etc. but he didnt fly away, he looked weak so we brang him home.

We only had one cage at the time we got him so hes still in there but well be changing his cage to a bigger one asap. the cage is probably good for about 3 budgies.

he was in the loungeroom but because he kept screaming when anybody moved we moved him a room which we dont access much. i was thinking of bringing him into my room??

We were feeding him some seeds but he didnt seem to eat those, i took those out after i read about not giving those. Along with the seeds we put some bread which we soggied up with some water. He was eating that, not the seeds. Once i came on this site i found out they love fruit, so i made a mix of apples, carrots, bananas and pear. is that good?

What type of flowers do they like?

Ill try to do what you told me but itll be so hard because even if you are far away and you move he screams

im from around the tullamarine area.

thanks for the help! ill let you know how we go.

[BiiRDiiELuV805]

I think hes just scared, let him settle in and little by little try feeding him/her apples or grapes im sure he/she will come around....mine LOVE red roses, they have to be organic tho. You should post pictures!!

[dogan]

ye hes been much better today, wasnt screaming as much etc.
but were going to give him to a friend who has a large aviary.

thanks alot for all the help!!

[Muchi]

Lorries drink nectar, but some stores sell a powder-like product to be fed to honey-eaters and lorries.
First, I'd probably contact a vet and see what they have to say, seeing as you said it seemed weak. If you found it in the street, it may be a wild bird and better off back in the wild, but you might want to take it to get looked at in case it has internal damage. I don't know about where you are, but I think in some states you need a license to look after rainbow lorikeets. It's possible the vet will advise you to give the bird to an association like Wildcare or the RSPCA.
If you do keep him, good luck. Do a LOT of research online and in your local library, these are not 'beginner birds'. You don't want to make a mistake that will harm the bird when you're trying to do something right by it by bringing it in.

[Ashling]

You don't need a license to keep rainbows in Victoria, but it is illegal to take them from the wild, as tempting as it may be! I wouldn't give him to your friend- wild rainbows are succeptable to psittacosis and other ongoing diseases that could spread to the whole aviary and kill the existing lorikeets. Also, the other lorikeets will be aggressive to the new baby. You should take him to a wildlife rehabilitator right away so he can be treated and released. He's a wild bird, not a pet bird. Rainbows from the wild are very aggressive with people. I understand now why yours screamed so much! I rescued a baby lorikeet a few months ago that flew into a window and had a fit. It screamed bloody murder whenever I checked on it by opening the lid. It had a full brown beak so was a very young baby. I took it home, put it in a large box with a towel at the bottom and ventilation, some grivillea flowers (they love these) and a bowl of water and left it alone over night. In the morning I released it right as rain.
I really must stress that you release him. He belongs in the wild. If you let him go near where you found him, in the early morning when other lorikeets are near by, he should find his flock again. If he is unable to be released; is weak, not feeding, looks sick or can't fly- take him to healesville or another rehabilitator! God luck with him, hope it turns out ok.

[dogan]

thanks for the advice. ill let him go tomorrow morning.
Ive seen plenty rainbows around the area so he should be fine. Hes much better than the day we got him anyway, so there shouldnt be any problems.

thanks again for all the help. Maybe ill just get a budgie instead

[dogan]

I let it go this morning, i heard a couple rainbows so i hope he bes alright.

[LGood22573]

Awww- I love a happy ending. I'm sure he will be fine, you did the right thing.

Lisa