discipline starts at what age

Question
Thank you so much for your answer. I had one more question..

My lovebird LOVES to nibble on me. She doesnt stop - my neck, my ears, my face, my arms.. even when i try to offer her something else to nibble on.  I let her do this for a few days but now I am COVERED in painful red bite marks all over my body.  How do I train her to stop doing this?  (She's 3 months old).  

Thank you so much, your help is very very appreciated!



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Followup To
Question -
I got a baby lovebird 4 days ago. She is adjusting well, but she nibbles my neck constantly and bites constantly (very hard), especially when I try to take her off of my shoulder.  

She is only 3 months old.  I've tried saying 'no' to her, but she isn't catching on (granted its only been 4 days).  I am wondering - is this too young of an age to begin disciplining her?  I dont want her to feel unloved or become fearful.  

I feel like she's a sensitive bird - when she was taken from her brother 2 weeks ago, she stopped eating for a day.  When I put her in her cage, she doesnt play with her toys at all, she clings to the side of the cage closest to where I am sitting or just sits on her perch (for hours).

The only times she gets VERY excited is when she hears other birds.  Does this mean I should get another lovebird so she has company?  What is best?
Answer -
Hi, Annie.  Thanks for posting.

Discipline should start as soon as it is needed.  Be aware that your new lovebird may not yet be adjusted to his/her new environment in your home and you!  S/he may not be playing with her toys yet because it appears from your post that s/he may be interested in what you're doing instead (clinging to the side of the cage closest to you).  Parrots spend a lot of time just sitting on their perches, so this doesn't surprise me.  Parrots also like to cling to/hang from the side of their cages.  

Nibbling on your neck is common behavior in parrots.  Most parrots LOVE to sit on their human's shoulder; many like to hide under hair and/or behind the neck...they think they can't be caught back there!  S/he bites when you try taking s/he off your shoulder because she doesn't want to go back into the cage (s/he wants to stay with you).  I'd take advantage of this as much as possible as it will result in a close relationship between the 2 of you.  However, you must set the boundaries between yourself and your lovebird and when you must catch her to put her in her cage, do so and don't take any crap from the baby!  Force her to get up on your hand even if she nips/bites you in order to put her away.  This is something she needs to learn and you need to teach her.  If you allow her to get away with biting you whenever she doesn't want to do what you want her to do, you are teaching her that biting gets her what she wants.  This is a bad way to start off.  For example, when she bites or attempts to bite, do not pull your hand back.  If you do, the baby learns that you will leave her alone if she bites/attempts to bite, and this is exactly what the baby bird wants.  Who's teaching whom here!

It is common for a bird not to eat for a day or so when moved to a new home.  This doesn't mean s/he's a sensitive bird or not...just means s/he was stressed out/disturbed by the move.

Birds prefer other birds to humans.  If you want a tame lovebird as a pet/companion, DO NOT get another lovebird!  What will happen is the lovebirds will bond to each other, and you will be the outsider.  

Visit my website for more information on parrots in general:

http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/birdinfo/index.html

Come back if you need to.  Thanks.

Chrys  

Answer
Hi again, Annie.  I'm glad to help!

S/he is picking at little blemishes on your skin!  Parrots love to do this.  Kind of like "preening" you...a sign of affection.  When s/he does this, push her beak away gently and say "No."  If this doesn't work, shoo her away or remove her from the location, etc.  

Chrys