a little advice would be nice please...

[starrysky]

Hello everyone!

I am new to owning birds so I really need some help. I recently took in a Fisher's lovebird that was no longer wanted by its owner and it was very neglected (read: not socialized and VERY afraid of humans) She was kept in a cramped, narrow finch cage in a back room with no interaction.

We bought her a nice big cage with lots of room to spread her wings, lots of toys, treats, etc.. and we've been talking to her every day for long periods of time. Until now, everytime someone got close to her cage or opened the door to change food/water, she would scream bloody murder! But finally today I took her out for a bath and although she screamed and wriggled and bit the heck out of my fingers, she eventually let me hold her in my hands while I gently sprinkled water on her. She even sat still in her towel to dry off and let me feed her vanilla yogurt. She still bites me alot and tried to get away when I open the door to her house but she doesn't scream like she did.

I have read alot of different ideas about how to go about taming her but I want some advice because I want to make sure I'm doing it the right way. I don't want to frighten her even more than she already is!

Please, any advice you could give me would really be appreciated!! I want her to be tame and happy and secure in her new home. Even though she bites me like the devil, I absolutely ADORE her!!

Sorry this post is so long, but I wanted to make sure I got to all the details.
Thanks again!!

[Monica]

There are various methods, some that work more easily with lovebirds. I know that the intensive love method normally works well with peachfaces although I'm not sure about the other lovebirds...
http://www.landofvos.com/faqs/faqs4.html

Clipping their wings usually helps. Various ways of taming include offering treats from your hand, sitting near or next to the cage talking to her, having your hand rest at the cage door, try using a dowl for stepping up.... Or even if you can, removing bird from cage and taking her into a small room away from the cage... such as a small bedroom or a bathroom with door closed. Letting her walk around while you sit on the floor and offering treats in your hand. Working on laddering her (stepping from one tunnel to the next) or even tunneling (where your hands are in an "O" and she goes through them repeatedly) to help her get used to your hands...

[starrysky]

Thanks for the advice! I will try this with her.