New Lovebird

Question
Hi Chris,

I bought my first lovebird - Peachfaced, young adult - 10 days ago along with 2, 1+ yr old female parakeets. I added 2 young male parakeets 2 weeks later to my indoor aviary, which is about 10' long by 4.5' wide by 8' high. They all seem to be healthy & get along well. I'm a novice bird owner, but have read books on each type.

I had planned to purchase another lovebird because I was under the mistaken impression that a pair was necessary.  Apparently, if I want the lovebird to bond with me at all, it's best to keep him/her single (don't know the sex).  

The bird seems healthy & playful. It eats well, chirps & chatters to itself, spends a few minutes talking to itself in a mirror every day, and occasionally pushes the parakeets around.  It sometimes responds to me when I call from the other side of the plexiglass fronting the aviary.

Here's my question: What is the best way to hand-tame it?  If I catch it with my hands or with a net, it doesn't try to bite me, but flies away as soon as it can & seems a bit traumatized.  I spend at least 90 minutes a day with all of them in the aviary talking softly, feeding them, & cleaning. I've also provided a variety of toys, none of which any of them seem interested in as of yet.

Am I being impatient and assume he'll come around eventually, or should I have his wings clipped in order to better control him for training. Or do you think wing-clipping would be too traumatic for an adult bird that's been able to fly all it's life?  

Thanks in advance!

Amy

Answer
Hi Amy

First of all, remove that mirror! Your pet will "bond" to his image in the mirror rather than with you. Also if practicable, separate him from the budgies so that he does not bond with them.

After that it is a question of patience and more patience. Very often you will go backwards rather than forward.

There are some interest groups around in Yahoo! which you might like to join and share your experiences as I am more a breeder than a pet trainer.

Good luck and a happy new year!

Chris