Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 4/6/2007

Question
QUESTION: Is having a condo (hut) in the cage a good or bad idea for my lovebird?  He tends to be in it a lot.  Also, he clatters his beak and bobs his head rapidly at times when he is on my finger or hand.  What does that mean, if anything?  This is my first lovebird so I am new at this.  Thank you for your time.
ANSWER: Hi, Joyce Marie.  Thanks for posting!

If your bird is a he, the hut is fine.  If your bird is female, the hut could result in her laying infertile eggs (the hut could become a nest).  Lovies, and a lot of other parrots, like to hide, sleep, feel safe/secure in confined areas like a hut.

I'd say your lovie was handfed as a baby.  The bobbing behavior you describe is the bird begging for food.  Since he does this when he's on your hand/finger, this tells me he associates hands/fingers with being handfed...this is why he does this bobbing.  

Chrys

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Sorry but I have another question.  Thanks for your quick response.  How do I know if my bird is male or female?  I acquired him in Nov. '06 at 8 weeks old.  He likes to shread paper and kleenex, does this mean he/she wants to make a nest?  Any good reference books you might recommend so I could learn more about this lovebird?  Can I train the bird to talk?  It is a pied peach-faced lovebird.  Thank you once again.

Answer
Hi again, Joyce Marie.

Lovies have to be DNA sexed to determine sex.  Visit Avian Biotech or Zoogen on the internet.  They can send you free testing kits, with instructions, and it costs $20 for a DNA test.  There's much information on the internet on lovebirds.  I don't know of any good books specifically on lovebirds.  Your lovebird might learn to mimic (they don't really talk...they learn to mimic sounds), but not all birds choose to "talk."  There are no guarantees about this when you buy a bird...some learn, some don't.  

Chrys