It's one of those toys that hang inside the cage on a chain, with some rope and wooden toys and a bell. There are two areas of this toy that he pukes/spits on, and then he seems to pack it down with his beak. It's almost like he's building something. I think some wild birds do this with mud?? He seems fine other than this. There are no signs that he chewed on this toy, it's fairly new. The cage is on my desk and when I open his door and he sits in the opening and talks but he doesn’t come out, so he hasn't gotten into anything. He has a good diet with fresh fruit and vegies, gravel, cuddle bone, ect. This isn't normal, is it????
One thing I found that he likes is when I slide my sneakers on the kitchen floor when I’m walking and they make that loud squeaking noise. My bird and my sneakers sound exactly alike, but the bird is louder.
2006-11-30 18:22:08 · 7 answers · asked by matt_woodman 2 in Pets ➔ Birds
Your bird is lonely, and it seems like you take very good care of it. However, there are things that another bird could do for it that you couldn't.
So I would suggest you buy it a buddy. Another lovebird of course. :)
2006-11-30 18:24:07 · answer #1 · answered by equinebeing 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Metals are toxic to birds. I however do not know what they do if they get sick from them. I know you are only spose to use stainless steel hardware. Birds are chewers, well the parrot family anyhow. And I have heard it is a myth that lovebirds must be in pairs. That is only if you do not spent enough time with them. But all parrots if put with another bond with the other bird, and do not like human contact. So I would not suggest getting another lovebird for your buddy. If you want a loving bird that you can play with and so on, keep only one. I asked a lady at the specialty birdstore near my home about this. And she has a single lovebird, she said it is not true that they must be in pairs, of course unless you do not want a people bird.
I would suggest you should call an avian vet in your area and ask them about the puking, it could be regurgitation and it could be an illness.
2006-12-01 03:15:24 · answer #2 · answered by HijabiMuslimah 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From the sound of it, your lovebird has taken a fancy to this new toy. It also sounds like he is in breeding mode.
There are a few ways to discourage this behavior. Make sure your bird has at least 10-12 hours of uninterrupted darkness. Even if he doesn't sleep. Many birds in the wild are triggered into mating season by the increase in daylight hours. Rearrange his cage often, once or twice a week if he is ok with it. This will prevent him from becoming too comfortable. Be sure to rotate his toys out with new ones and different types each time you rearrange his cage.
When you snuggle with him (if you snuggle with him) don't pet him down his lower back or under his wings. Try to stick to his chest and head/neck. These places are where the female will preen him when they are ready to mate, and can often trigger hormonal behavior and reactions, such as regurgitation. Don't play hide and seek with your birds. Some bird owners like to play hide and seek under blankets with their birds. This closed in, warm and dark place imitates nesting areas and can also trigger the mating reactions.
As far as diet, you can try feeding a little less protein. Sometimes the abundance of food can also trigger mating time. Fresh fruit and veggies are good, they can also eat rice, pasta, cooked chicken, anything healthy. AVOID: alcohol, caffeine, avacado, chocolate, and butters/salts/sugars. Lovebirds do not need grit or gravel. Lovebirds are hook-bills, they deshell their seeds before eating them. Grit is for soft-bills that eat the seeds whole. Their system needs help shelling the seeds so they need grit (example: canaries, finches, etc).
Good luck with your feathered baby!
2006-12-01 09:23:20 · answer #3 · answered by Jade 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he thinks that the toy is it's mate and he's trying to feed it. in the same way that mothers feed their babies by regurgetating mates feed eachother as a way of bonding.
you have a single lovebird. they're called lovebirds for a reason they bond tightly to their mates. the idea if you plan on getting only one is to have it to bond to you, not a toy. it sounds like he doesn't get a whole lot of socialization with you and so he found a substitute. for his mental health i would suggest trying to get him a mate. if you can't afford another lovebird you could try to get something small like a budgie. keep it in a separate cage of course but the sound of another bird may be comforting to him.
2006-12-01 01:10:15 · answer #4 · answered by Becca 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the puke was white, it means that he was regurgitating for his toy which means he just really likes it! If his other activites, eating, sleeping etc, haven't changed this is most likely what it is!
2006-11-30 22:33:35 · answer #5 · answered by acekingsuited83 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
he is loney and treating the toy as a potential mate. In the wild budgie pairs feed eachother..yes by vomiting....I guess as long as he doesn't start mastrabating with it, it is weird but o.k.
2006-12-01 08:20:31 · answer #6 · answered by MindyCindyLindy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like he's getting in the mating mode. He stays by the cage because that's his territory. The males usually regurgitate to the females because they feed them while they're incubating their eggs.
2006-11-30 18:25:29 · answer #7 · answered by Lynn D 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋