I just got two new peachface lovebirds

[AliceInWonderland]

I don't have pics yet cuz I just got them and I don't want to freak them out too bad. My hubby named them Rocko and Spunky (no they haven't been sexed yet). They are only about 4 months old. I got them from a lady who's birds hatched them and she didn't want to keep them after her husband got home from deployment. They aren't completely hand-shy (at least the one I had to catch didn't bite at me while I was holding it) but they don't want to come to people. They lady also told me that they won't eat fresh fruit or veggies. They are on a seed diet which is a no-no of course.

So basically I was hoping for advice on switching them from seeds to pellets, how to get them to eat fresh foods, and what's the best way of going about getting them completely tame? Any help is appreciated and pics will hopefully be up with in the next couple of days!

[shosh]

They are still very young so all this can be accomplished without much worry.
I found that introducing pellets is quite easy....seeds aren't all bad so don't take them away completely...birds love them and some seed is good for them. ( just make it a good quality seed.) Try mixing in a good brand of pelllet: I have recently moved my babies onto harrisons and they really like it and it is one of the best out there. Once they figure out that the pellets are edible, they'll eat them along with the seed. Some people give only pellets in one feeding and then some seed and veggies and fruit in another. I don't simply because i don't want to do the twice a day feeding so I put some seed in there and since they usually eat that first, they will then go for the pellet.
You can try sprinkling some seeds onto some fresh veggies if they are unwilling to try but I found that they will often try most anything..once. Lovebirds aren't quite as fond of fruits as some birds which isn't awful since veggies are healthier. Hang a dark leafy green in there ( my guys really like swiss chard- make sure it's organic) and they'll give it a good taste.
Remember...because they are young they will take a while to get used to anything....pellets, toys, veggies.etc.
Looking forward to the pics...
As for them getting more used to you...TIME! And patience...they'll come around quickly if you spend the time and energy with them.

[2keetsandalovie]

I agree with Shosh. You can also try chopping the veggies up into small pieces (if you have a mni chopper that's easier) and sprinkling some seeds on it--they should go for it. To me, it seems lb are more open to try new things and they will let you know if they don't like it...just keep trying!

Are you quarantining the birds? I think that its wonderful that the lady came to you..Congrats! My hubby would be more open to me getting more lb's that way vs buying them i think!

[AliceInWonderland]

Thanks for the advice guys. I thought that seed was bad completely but I'm glad I can still let them have some since that's what they are used to. My four other birds are with my mom right now so I don't have to worry about quarintine. These two are the only ones living with me at the moment.

As for getting them used to me, I've never tamed a bird before. The 4 with my mom at the moment, are not tame at all. They don't want me to touch them, but like I said, if I catch them they will put up with it. So do I just keep talking to them and like put my hand in without grabbing them so they get used to it? Or I read somewhere that I could leave the cage open next to me and eventually they might come out to see me. Lol, I know a lot about caring for lovebirds now but I'm a complete dummy when its comes to the methods of getting them used to you

[AliceInWonderland]

So these aren't very good cuz the lighting is bad, but my camera also sux at pics through bars so this is the best I can do now.


The love each other


They are a lot brighter but my camera made them black and white.


The weird angle I took it from to see them through the door


Rocko is on the left and Spunky is on the right


Their cage now that they have toys (see the computer?)


Haha I caught Rocko playing!


Spunky was eating like a hungry hungry hippo


Rocko is dark with blue


Spunky is yellow and green with red


Spunky being pretty


They are super cute sitting next to me.


I can't wait until they start to trust me! They are such cute little babies.



edit: Hubby just fixed the stupid setting lol so better pics later :)

[2keetsandalovie]

i couldn't tell if their flight wings were clipped, but you may have more luck with them if you clip their wings a bit. Leave enough for them to be able to have some flight but not enough to fly around the room. I would also suggest spending individual time with each one so that they can bond with you. It may seem harder b/c you have two together and they have obviously started to bond with one another but it is possible for them to bond with you.

I love their colors...very pretty!

[2keetsandalovie]

Also if you are going to be in the room with them, then I would suggest leaving the cage door open and they will come out to explore. Also keep talking, the more they hear from you the more they will see you as not a threat.

[AliceInWonderland]

Thanks. And yes their wings are freshly clipped. As soon as I put my son to bed I will open the cage door so they can come out if they want. I was reading other threads and I thought I would take them into the bathroom one at a time and feed them some treats and try and get them used to being alone with me

[2keetsandalovie]

That will definitely work too for alone time. The bathroom is usually the best place b/c its smaller and not so many ways for the bird to get away from you. But if you have a small bathroom and the door is shut-it tends to be claustaphobic (sp?)

[shosh]

I brought both of mine out together.....they love each other and they bonded just great with me, too. Just take time with them both individually and together...definitely let them come out on their own as well so they feel comfortable exploring their environment and know that you are their parent.
I didn't take mine into a separate room simply because I have cats and the birds' world is my master bedroom and bathroom. But I played with them a lot and despite the fact that there were two of them, they bonded with me wonderfully. Your guys are just lovely and I'm sure they'll be very happy in their new home.