Lovebird Myths or Facts?

[toneyart]

Hello Everyone,
I'm a new owner of a PF Lovebird, she's about five months old,
and I work with her daily on step-ups and playtime.
Took her for a check-up with an avian vet last week, and
was told to stop trying to pet Sophie (exact words- "If you
want to pet an animal, get a dog.") She also told me that
it's not good for the oils on human hands to come in contact
with a bird's feathers- can be damaging to the feathers.
Sophie has never seemed comfortable with me trying to touch
her, although she's perfectly happy sitting on my finger or
shoulder. I'm fine with that, all animals have different preferences
and comfort levels. Has anyone else heard this from their vet?
Also- was told by the woman who occasionally grooms my dogs
(and has Macaws and Conures) that she's never known a
Lovebird to make a "nice" pet.
With everyday handling and love can I expect that Sophie will make
as nice a bird companion as any other parrot?
I've had her for about two months now (and am crazy about her!)
Thanks for any info!
Ann

[MiloMacaw]

Ann-

I've never heard of not petting for those reasons. I'm a little disturbed a vet told you "if you want to pet an animal, get a dog". My birds LOVE to be pet and scratched and played with. It's a part of our daily bonding and playtime that I wouldn't give up for the world. I have of course, heard you should not do full body scritches and snuggles since birds can interpret this as mating behavior, but head scritches, neck scritches, snuggle in the hair and lap is a favorite of all of my pets. Lovebirds make wonderful pets when handraised or tamed. They are very sweet and snuggly and excellent cuddlers, and playful little clowns. I've never heard of or seen evidence that oils "damage feathers". Who knows, maybe im missing something, but I would think that would have come across somewhere. Congrats on your sophie.... pictures?? :D

[birdlady49]

Your vet's response bothers me as well. Maybe she was trying to be funny or she's looking for more canine business.

Myth: petting them is dangerous. You do of course wash your hands before playing with the baby, right? So you're fine.

Where petting DOES become a problem is if your baby is female. Then, petting can be sexually stimulating and you may turn her into a chronic egglayer. But we can cross that bridge when we get to it.

Myth: lovebirds don't make great pets

You obviously have found a vet who doesn't specialize in birds. Start looking around for an AVIAN vet. We can help you if you'd like.

[toneyart]

Thanks for the input! The avian vet that I took Sophie to is someone who's well-
respected in the area- she has six parrots of her own. She has a very blunt manner
and maybe it's just her way to put things- although I was bothered by the "get
a dog" comment as well.
Sophie has never seemed thrilled to have me touch her- even around her head.
It's okay- if we spend time together without the petting, I think we can still
have a great bond with each other.
I am amazed by her intelligence, and she seems like such a happy little one.
It's amazing how much life she has brought into our home.
Thanks again for the responses! It's great to have a place to turn to for
advice. I'll post a picture of Sophie when I figure out how. . .
Ann

[Eliza]

Well, there are some people who just don't get/like/understand lovebirds, vets included.

Some parrots just DO NOT WANT to be touched. They don't want to stroked, pet, scritched or cuddled. They don't even want human help to remove their pinfeathers. If Sophie doesn't like to be pet, don't pet her. I mean, it's one thing if you try a little scritch or stroke here and there: you're obviously not hurting her in that instance. If you insist on petting her or giving her skritches, you'll likely learn if she doesn't like it ;)

And you're right: you can STILL have a great bond with Sophie even if she isn't a cuddle bug. My Beetle wasn't one of prolonged cuddle/skritch sessions but he did like to be on me. If I had him out while watching TV, he'd spend a good bit of that time on my shoulder, preening himself, my t-shirt or maybe messing with my hair. If he was in his cage and I walked by, he'd doing a "let me out! let me out!" dance. He would start chirping as soon as I walked in the apt. after work. These things let me know that he DID like me and that we indeed had a bond.

As for the groomer who has never known a lovebird to make a nice pet: tell her to visit a lovebird forum like lovebirdsplus or to look up lovebirds on YouTube. There are countless stories, photos and videos of lovebirds that enjoy interacting with humans.

Ann, I think that you're doing a great job caring for Sophie and she no doubt knows it. If you are handling and socializing with her daily, you're doing the right thing.

[greencinacheeks]

yes...it sounds like you are doing everything right.


I can't believe your vet said that...i have a PF and she is adorable!!! she loves to be pet and scritched on the head. Even if she isn't the cuddly type she and you can have a strong bond. good luck!!

~N

[sweetpeaches]

i got my lovie when she was 5 mos. old. she learned to step-up within a few days! but it took her about 4 mos before she allowed me to pet her and give her scritches. now she loves them and when she's out she'll crawl under my hand to get them! she's the first to call out to me in the morning when she hears me get up and she's the first to chirp when i come in the door from work! i love her very much. lovebirds are different than the larger parrots, but there every bit as enjoyable. check out the lovebirds plus community board and you'll see and read how wonderful they are. it's good to know to that there are differences between male lovies and females. you have to get them dna tested if you want to know for sure..unless of course your lovie eventually lays and egg...smile...good luck with your baby!

[bthomas]

I Dont Have A Lovebird But That All Sounds Like A Load Of Crap If You Ask Me!!! Excuse My Language (haha Its Not Even That Bad). But Birds Make Great Pets, Including Lovebirds. My Friend Used To Breed Lovies And They Were Awesome And The Best Pets She Has Ever Had!!! Just Dont Take Everyones Opinion To Serious And In A Rude Way. Shrug It Off

[Indy]

Originally Posted by toneyart

Hello Everyone,
I'm a new owner of a PF Lovebird, she's about five months old,
and I work with her daily on step-ups and playtime.
Took her for a check-up with an avian vet last week, and
was told to stop trying to pet Sophie (exact words- "If you
want to pet an animal, get a dog.") She also told me that
it's not good for the oils on human hands to come in contact
with a bird's feathers- can be damaging to the feathers.
Sophie has never seemed comfortable with me trying to touch
her, although she's perfectly happy sitting on my finger or
shoulder. I'm fine with that, all animals have different preferences
and comfort levels. Has anyone else heard this from their vet?
Also- was told by the woman who occasionally grooms my dogs
(and has Macaws and Conures) that she's never known a
Lovebird to make a "nice" pet.
With everyday handling and love can I expect that Sophie will make
as nice a bird companion as any other parrot?
I've had her for about two months now (and am crazy about her!)
Thanks for any info!
Ann

Hi Ann, welcome!

The vet's advice is exactly a classic textbook example of nonsensical advice.

Although oil is the worst enemy to the feathers of any bird, the vet's advice was rather insulting. Most people wash their hands before handling their birds to protect them from germs (and wash their hands after handling their birds to protect themselves as well).

A good anti-germ liquid soap will remove any oils and germs! Why didn't the vet give you this advice? Who knows.

My lovebirds bite and scratch if I handle them, so I use a very soft stainless steel glove (made by Whizard) that is microfused so its amazingly smooth. (These gloves are used by chefs for fast cutting to protect the hands.) I heard another good glove for birds that bite and puncture skin with their little claws is made of Kevlar.

I think you're doing a wonderful thing teaching your lovebird to be held, since you want to bond with your lovebird. I'm in a profession at the office many hours, and have male and female lovebirds that have "bonded." Although they want nothing to do with me, watching them love one another has brought me a lot of joy after long hours at the office.

To get back to the subject at hand, I recommend you search the web for keywords "petting lovebird' or phrases like "how to show lovebird your affection" to get advice. Obviously common sense dictates that if you wash your hands (avoiding heavily scented or perfumed soaps since Lovebirds smell is sensitive) and you're very gentle, how on earth could petting them cause harm? I think very gentle contact with this fragile and loving creature will let it know how much you love it!

[Vankarhi]

I have never heard of not patting birds for those reasons either.

I have seen some lovies make lovely pets. There is also an aviary (not sure which country it is in might be the US) called True love Aviaries and they specialise in handraised lovies and from their web site they have lovely little birdies. Some birds are not touchy feely birds my alex's and ekkie are not touchy feely birds but they surely do like to be with us anyway.

My understanding is with the lovies with enough time and patience they can and do make lovely pets and can be taught tricks too.