How sweet are the love birds?

[Crosslight]

I baby sat a love bird for my neighbor for three weeks. this little guy, about three months, bonded with me big time. He would cuddle down in my hand and chirp at me. He would also bite anyone else around. That was strange

Anyway, the lady came back and took him home. I miss him. I tried not to get attached. Really, but there was something so special.

Well, now there is a bird fair that I will be going to on sunday in Tampa and I was wondering about getting a love bird for myself. Will the new one bond too? Like that one did?

stace

[CrazyBirdLady]

Generally speaking, if you get a young, tame bird, yes it will bond with you; however each bird is different. If you show a young bird the same love and attention as the one you bird-sat, you will have a dear friend indeed.
Careful at bird fairs as some breeders sell chicks that are not fully weaned or just weaned and they can regress quickly. If you are in the Tampa area, I know a fantastic lovebird breeder fairly close by that has been raising lovebirds for 15+ years and I would highly recommend her to purchase a healthy, tame young bird from.

[Crosslight]

Tampa is a long way from home for me. I hope your friend will be at the fair, maybe?

do I want a boy or girl?

My roomate bought a ringneck that was not weaned and/or regressed. She had to do that feeding thing for over a month. So, if that was to happen, I could go that way, she still has the food in the freezer..

I want to have my baby on y shoulder alot.. to go with me everywhere.. is this cool?

stace

[CrazyBirdLady]

Stace, either a male or female can make a great pet, though many people prefer males for pets as they will never lay eggs.

If you purchase a fully weaned bird, you should not have to handfeed. If the food in the freezer has not been opened before and is a handfeeding formula correct for lovebirds, yes it could be used if necessary.

You can also look up a breeder local to you on http://www.birdsnways.com/birds/breeders.htm or also can contact the breeder I know and find out how far she is from you luvbird@mindspring.com

I don't think Joel raises lovebirds, but he might also be able to point you in the direction of a good breeder also.

[birdsnthings]

Females are generally the aggressive one. At 3 months, six months, nine months and then twelve months you will have a bitting problem with them. If you don't work through that issue you can lose the bird as a pet.
Try to find a hand fed Love Bird. I have two here and they are just too sweet.
Alice

[CrazyBirdLady]

While it is true with some lovebird hens, it also depends upon the species and the individual bird. Peachfaces are the most aggressive of the common species and though I do have some seriously aggressive hens, I have others that are very docile, even while on the nest.

Having your bird with you at all times might not be the best idea. You would have to have them clipped to carry around however having the bird outside, uncaged or harnessed (good luck with a lovebird!) is asking for a predator to go after it. Also taking it everywhere, you stand the risk of introducing it to disease if it comes in contact with other birds. Now, with that said, having the litle guy on you as much as possible at home is great. We have quite a few shoulder lovies at home. They love to know everything that goes on in the house.

[Crosslight]

Thank you... I am thinking that a males is sounding best
And, keep it with me inside, not when I go to the store

I am looking forward to going sunday and seeing what they have to sell. I am pretty set with a lovebird, but I am looking at other very small breeds.

My heart aches from the one that I bonded with (the lady who I babysat her lovebird for three weeks) and I am being as cautious as I can to not jump to fast. So, it is like I am jumping from forum to forum trying to read up on all the little birds trying to find the perfect fit for both us us, my new one and myself.

My housemate has a ringneck and a cockatiel, so I have those factors to deal with, and the office is in my home too, where people are coming and going at the first of the month, so I need a really sweet bird.

Thank you all for your help. Sunday is going to be very interesting.

prayerfully considering

stace

[The Outlaw]

Stace:

I would recommend that you NOT use the handfeeding formula in your freezer if it is older than 3 months and opened. It doesn't have a long stable life, even frozen.

[Crosslight]

Okay, thanks.

It is not opened and was purchased last month for my housemate's ringneck. But, I don't want to have to feed the little one. I will press for weaned and happy.

thanks
stace

[CrazyBirdLady]

Please remember, no matter what bird, if any, you choose to bring home, to quarantine them for the safety of the current household residents and any new addition.
If you do choose a lovebird, especially a peachface, you'll want to make sure that you supervise any playtime where all birds are out. Lovebirds will take on any bird and are fearless. They are notorious toe-biters.