Lovebird help please. . .

[Tika4]

To make a rather long story short, about 3 months ago I found a blue/teal, black-masked lovebird in my backyard and took it in. After trying to find an owner in the neighborhood without any success I did some Internet research and set up a nice home for my new birdie (Donovan is his name, btw). Anyway, I've always been real skittish about birds, so the first few times I tried to interact with Donovan and he tried to bite me was enough to get me to leave him alone. I did/do sit by his cage and talk to him softly all the time. Just within the last week he started to let me pet/scratch his head and neck. I have no idea how old he is or what sex he actually is since I found him in my backyard, but I think from what I've read it's safe to assume he was at some point hand-tamed.

Here's the problem. I started scratching his head and neck while he was out of the cage and, not knowing any better, I also scratched his back and tail. Yesterday he started acting differently, he has become incredibly aggressive towards his toys (one, a ferris wheel, in particular) and wants to be out of his cage ALL the time, and occasionally tries to fly into my face (which scares the dickens out of me!). He still wants me to pet/scratch him, but he's not happy with the head/neck area, he turns around and pushes his tail-end high into the area and the "opening" spasms. Sorry, I'm trying to be polite here but I really need help. I read somewhere online yesterday that what may have happened is my petting his back/tail sexually stimulated him and he may be in a breeding phase. Is this true? If it is, what do I do about this situation to keep him happy and how long will this phase last? If it's not true, does anyone have any ideas/suggestions as to what happened and why the change in attitude?

Thank you so very much! I am so glad I found this board, I really want Donovan to be as happy and comfortable as possible, and I am totally attached to this bird now.

EDIT: Sorry, that was still longer than I intended. :) One more thing, I've noticed around the Internet that a lot of Lovebird owners "found" their lovebirds - is it common for people to give up and just let their lovebirds go? How sad if that's the case - I realize they take a lot of work and attention, but in just 3 months I have begun to overcome my lifelong skittish attitude towards birds and I totally love my birdie and wouldn't dream of just letting him go outside.

[CrazyBirdLady]

Hi there! Sounds like your little blue mask Donovan, might very well be a GIRL! Tailfeathers up and the behavior you are describing is hen behavior. Also, the aggression towards certain toys and people are classic hen behaviors when feeling hormonal and nesty.
Bear with me, this might be lengthy. You'll want to stop petting the tail and back areas on your little one. It does stimulate them unfortunately. It can last a few weeks or ready; it can last several months. Donovan might try gathering some nesting materials like paper and small sticks, seed hulls, etc.... in the corner of the cage. Right now, you'll probably be served by changing around the interior of her cage, maybe even change where the cage is kept, offer some different toys (not the kind that can be shredded) and if the behavior towards you (she is choosing you as her mate by doing so) continues, do not allow her to do this to you and put her back in her cage for five minutes or on a playstand away from you. If she has full flight, you might consider a clip to change the attitude as well.
Unlike most other birds, lovebirds aren't really effected by changing their light schedule and will produce eggs/offspring year round.
I think for now, you should try to change a few things and see what works to prevent or dissuade mating behavior and/or egg laying.

[Tika4]

I was so worried I did something terrible to change HER (uh-oh, time for a name change) behavior. Thank you for your advice which I will definitely follow. Will a lovebird lay eggs even without a mate? Just wondering. My friend knows of a vet that handles birds, so I will be taking her in for a full check-up and wing clipping as soon as I possibly can. I'm still not able to actually hold or pick her up, so getting her back in her cage is a little tricky, but I'm working on it. Thanks again for your help, I really do appreciate it.
Melissa

[CrazyBirdLady]

Originally Posted by Tika4

I was so worried I did something terrible to change HER (uh-oh, time for a name change) behavior. Thank you for your advice which I will definitely follow. Will a lovebird lay eggs even without a mate? Just wondering. My friend knows of a vet that handles birds, so I will be taking her in for a full check-up and wing clipping as soon as I possibly can. I'm still not able to actually hold or pick her up, so getting her back in her cage is a little tricky, but I'm working on it. Thanks again for your help, I really do appreciate it.
Melissa

Melissa, yes a female will lay eggs even without a mate, they just won't be fertile( obviously ). A vet visit is a good idea. A good avian vet can also give you some good ideas for avoiding the mating/nesting behavior. Masked lovebirds are the most timid of the three common species and it takes them time to trust. You'll find after her wings are clipped and she needs you to get around, stepping up will be alot easier. You might also try getting the little one to step onto a dowel or stick rather than your hand as many little birds dislike hands.
I adore little masked bandits, do have any pictures? I have two Black Masked lovebirds (the green ones) and they are very playful little characters.

[Tika4]

I do have some pictures, but will have to post them later this evening, after I'm done with work.

Funny thing, I was so verytimid/skittish about birds that I first tried using a dowel, but if I move anything towards this bird other than my finger she attacks it. I was very surprised when about a week ago she suddenly let me start petting her. I have actually picked her up a couple of times, but only for a few seconds because we both seem to get so scared, lol. I have much patience and will just slowly approach each step with her, but since she has already let me start touching/petting her I have high hopes that it will all work out.

Thanks again for the advice.
Melissa

[Tika4]

Thanks again for all the help! Now that I know that Donovan is most likely a SHE rather than a HE, I have renamed the bird Iris, after one of my favorite musical artists, Iris Dement. Here are a couple of pictures:





Melissa

[XP_2600]

She looks cute, why you dont get her a male and start to getting lovebird family ? :)

[LMPego]

She's a beauty! She looks just like my Zen when she still had feathers...

[Tika4]

Yes, she is a beauty, lol. As for getting her a mate and breeding them, I have neither the time or the knowledge, nor do I know what I would do with the babies. I had thought about getting her a same-sex companion, but since I don't know how old she is or her history I don't want to end up with 2 birds permanently in separate cages. I have 2 cats and a hamster to take care of besides the bird, and my own Juvenile Diabetes to take care of. As I said, it was just luck that brought her to my backyard and I fell in love with her, but for the time being one bird is enough, lol.
Melissa

[CrazyBirdLady]

Originally Posted by Tika4

Yes, she is a beauty, lol. As for getting her a mate and breeding them, I have neither the time or the knowledge, nor do I know what I would do with the babies. I had thought about getting her a same-sex companion, but since I don't know how old she is or her history I don't want to end up with 2 birds permanently in separate cages. I have 2 cats and a hamster to take care of besides the bird, and my own Juvenile Diabetes to take care of. As I said, it was just luck that brought her to my backyard and I fell in love with her, but for the time being one bird is enough, lol.
Melissa

Melissa, she's adorable! Cute little face and bet she can get into a fair amount of trouble all by herself. She will tame easier without another bird around and I commend you for being responsible enough to know you don't want to start breeding. It can sometimes be extremely hard to get a pair to stop. She'll make a better pet if she's not actively breeding anyway.