Red - faced Lovebird - Click to Enlarge
Lovebirds can make exceptional pets that enjoy interactions with their owners. They need to be handled daily to stay tame, so plan to spend a bit of time working with your lovebird to achieve tameness, then continue daily interaction to keep it up.
In taming a lovebird, you will want to start as young a bird as possible. Taming and training should take place right away from the lovebird’s cage. This is because a companion bird lives in its cage and will be territorial. Because you want your bird to continue to be happy in his own environment, you don’t want to invade it and ask him to do behavior he might consider forceful. Let him have his home/cage as a place of peace.
When your lovebird is in his cage, talk to him, and interact with him in a positive way. Drop treats off for him as you go by. Eventually, he should accept threats from your hand. Sing to him, giggle with him, play music for him. Start developing the bond you want to have, one step at a time.
Have a few taming or bonding sessions daily. Take your lovebird out of his cage, or tempt him to come out with a treat. You may need to use a towel perch to get him out of the cage. You may be able to entice him to come out with a treat just outside the cage - then further and further away. The less traumatic exiting the cage is, the easier your training will be.
In a training session, at first let your lovebird out with you, and talk to him. Get closer and closer. After a few sessions, start working on Up. Press a stick, ladder or your finger up to your lovebird’s chest, and ask him to Step up, saying “Up” each time he steps on. Do this several times, and reinforce this training daily.
Don’t say “Up” unless your bird is stepping up, and if you do say “Up” make sure he completes the up action. Up is a command you want to be obeyed.
It’s always great to know how to play with your pet. Lovebirds like tearing up paper, and like to be in things. Give him baskets, hay or palm fronds. You lovebird will enjoy riding in a pocket, sitting under your hair or snuggling under your shirt. He will also appreciate a haven in which to hang out, like a tent or soft pocket.
Expect taming to take some time but to be worth it.
