Lovebirds cuddle time requirements

[astrotom87]

I recently had to give up my green cheeked conure due to developing a major allergic reaction to him, and he's left a nippy, squawking hole in my heart.

Through testing I've been given the all clear for pretty much anything except conures, and I'm besotted with lovebirds.

I've been a fan since I was a little boy, and I've read about every major article online and in books on the little clowns, but I've got a question that I'd like to put to some more experienced people.

I'll be working about 7-8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Whenever I'm home (I'm a bit of a hermit, so that pretty much means all the time I'm not at work) the cage will be open and the games will be played, but I'm not sure if that will be enough for a companion lovebird.

Will he be able to handle my work hours alone?

[avinet]

I am surprised at you getting an allergic reaction to conures only - I always considered them one of the low allergenic species, way behind such birds as cockatiels for instance. Did you find out what it was from the conure that caused a reaction - feather dust? I would have thought them to be no difference to lovebirds in that regard. However allergies are strange things and there is no way to predict what can affect someone.

I don't think you would have a problem leaving your lovebird during work time - by the sounds of it the bird will get plenty of attention when you ar ehome so that should be sufficient. Just the usual things about having plenty of otys etc to let the bird entertain itself, and maybe look at some foraging for food techniques for when you are out so the bir dis occupied finding wher ethe food is hidden.

There is a brief introduction to foraging at www.brisbanebirdvet.com.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=NMUu%2BWteDCI%3D&tabid=21642&mid=13254 and a Google search on foraging for pet birds will turn up plenty of sites. The DVD that the link above mentions is great as well - available at www.birdkeeper.com.au/bird-dvds/dvd91-captive-foraging-the-next-best-thing-to-being-free-dvd

cheers,

Mike

[astrotom87]

I've read quite a few articles that have stated that masked lovebirds can be a lot more self sufficient and can quite easily adapt to a work day. I understand that a large part of this depends on the bird, and training techniques, but can anyone corroborate this?

After my GCC I'm well aware of the daily toy swapping trick, and he used to get at least 5 hours a day of cuddle time, so he seemed quite comfortable with his alone time during the day.

[avinet]

I've never noticed any particular difference between Mask and Peachface Lovebirds. I think there is more variation between individual birds within a species than between species.

cheers,

Mike

[astrotom87]

The allergy was to a waxy residue that conures produce (which ironically leads them to produce less dander and better for allergy sufferers usually) so it's a bit of a tough one. Conures and a couple of other species were all pretty much blacklisted, but I'm not allergic to dander, which means I don't have many limits in that regard.

I'm glad to hear that a lovebird will be ok throughout the day. Toy rotation was a great help with my conure, so it's good to hear that it should help my lovebird too.

I didn't think there would be much of a change between the species, but I figured I'd ask anyway.

Thank you very much for your advice Mike.

Tom.

[avinet]

Apr 30, 2013 17:33:24 GMT 10 astrotom87 said:

The allergy was to a waxy residue that conures produce (which ironically leads them to produce less dander and better for allergy sufferers usually) so it's a bit of a tough one. Conures and a couple of other species were all pretty much blacklisted, but I'm not allergic to dander, which means I don't have many limits in that regard.

I've never heard of that before - what are the other species black listed for you? Presumably it must be their preen gland oil that is causing the problem and these species have a slightly different composition for that oil to other species that don't cause a problem.

Hope a lovebird works out OK for you,

cheers,

Mike

[astrotom87]

Conures, caiques and a couple of others that I can't remember.

I have decided on a lovebird now. Now comes the search for a hand raised lovebird down here haha. They're not easy to find.

[maya15]

Personally, I would remove it during the day. While she may be scared, you have to remember that she's away from everything familiar (clutchmates, cage, location, breeder) and it's going to take her a bit of time to learn to trust her new situation. You are not the enemy who's going to eat her alive and she will only learn that via experience. About the best thing you can do is be around her a lot, talk to her, sing to her, just be there in an unthreatening manner as you can. Lovebirds are naturally curious so that's in your favor at night, I would give it back.
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