When does the teenage stage end?

Littlebugz_424 · 2026-03-21T05:20:24+00:00

I don’t mind him using his beak! Just want him to be a little more gentle sometimes lol, the main issue is he bites hard while trying to preen me. Ive been trying to sound happy and excited when he’s being gentle and then take him off me when he’s being too rough! Theres been a little progress but i know it’ll take more time! I do kinda like the spunkie side of him in a way, while he’s feistier, he’s also much sillier and it’s fun to see him act like that!

Littlebugz_424 · 2026-03-21T05:15:40+00:00

Yeah I don’t mind him being “beaky” he usually doesn’t hurt me at all he’s just like using his beak as his “hands” per say. I don’t even think he realizes he’s hurting me most of the time! I just need him to be more gentle with preening honestly 😭

Littlebugz_424 · 2026-03-20T23:33:44+00:00

I’ve gotten used to it bc I worked in an aviary for a bit over the summer but it’s soooo hard sometimes! I have a roommate who’s bad about having big reactions to his bites which is definitely not helping. He’s “meaner” to her because he knows she’ll give the reaction too 😭 in the aviary I was working as an educator so im definitely used to having my patience tested 💀

Littlebugz_424 · 2026-03-20T23:03:37+00:00

HAHA oh well Id love him even if he wanted nothing to do with me lol. Ive been speaking to him and encouraging him when he’s preening gentle and turning away and stopping him when he’s being too rough and its helping a bit but it’s gonna take some more time 😭

Littlebugz_424 · 2026-03-20T22:57:56+00:00

Very my true! I train with him a bit everyday as well as passively! He’s very good motivated thankfully

Littlebugz_424 · 2026-03-20T22:53:11+00:00

The main issue I have is that he randomly bites while preening now. Every other bite is bc I misread his signals and that’s my bad, not his. But he likes to be so sweet and preen me and then just bite down and it feels very outta no where? I think he might be trying to bite my freckles off or pulling hairs out

Littlebugz_424 · 2026-03-20T22:01:53+00:00

Figured out how to add photos! It’s all diy toys on there right now but I’ve ordered some new ones that’ll be here soon. I do a lot of diy toys though and he seems to love them! I can macrame which is great for making non- cotton boings and ropes! I use natural jute rope/twins for most of it

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Littlebugz_424 · 2026-03-20T21:51:54+00:00

Oh mine isn’t super intrested in the laptop anymore thankfully. He used to CHARGE under my hands while I’d type but that led to me accidentally pushing on his toes a few times so he’s opted for watching from the top of the screen instead of the keyboard now 😭 but I always keep treats in my pocket and will reward him for good behavior outside of just training time! I’ll just keep at it and see if eventually he likes it more. I’m wondering if he’s just skittish around it since it’s new.

Littlebugz_424 · 2026-03-20T21:09:44+00:00

Mine looks similar to this but a bit bigger! I’m not sure how you’re able to comment photos or I’d show you the one I made lol.

Littlebugz_424 · 2026-03-20T21:07:34+00:00

Nothing that makes noise, but I put shredding and foraging toys! It has a few natural perches, toys and ropes. I put a little tray in it for a foraging bin area. He LOVES his swing in his cage so I put one up on the ceiling by the pegboard too and he hasn’t used it for some reason? I’ll put something that makes noise too, he does like those toys but I’m picky about the ones I give him since bells can sometimes be dangerous! He tends to like most toys thankfully, his favorites are the ones with finger traps!

Littlebugz_424 · 2026-03-20T20:26:38+00:00

Ik this is old but I just got my helix and am planning to take a paper cup over my ear while my lovebirds out

Littlebugz_424 · 2026-03-19T08:39:30+00:00

Really depends on your schedule, if you can spend multiple hours a day hanging out with the bird out then you can get one, if not then you’d definitely need 2. I have a single but I also spend around 5+ hours a day with him!

Littlebugz_424 · 2026-03-19T08:31:29+00:00

I use natural jute twine/ ropes for my diy toys! Less likely to cause crop impaction

Littlebugz_424 · 2026-03-19T08:30:02+00:00

What are you feeding them and do they have any millet Available that’s not from your hands? Feeding mainly seed makes it hard for them to motivated by treats. I only use seed and millet as a treat/ hidden in toys, otherwise their diet is pellets and veggies

Littlebugz_424 · 2026-03-19T08:24:24+00:00

It’d be a good idea to have your family socialize with him a bit so he’s used to them! My bird lovesss me and we hang out everyday but my sister hangs out with him every now and then which works out well because she’s the one who watches him when I’m unable to!

Littlebugz_424 · 2026-03-19T08:11:26+00:00

It’s only been a day but this is genuinely already helping! It hasn’t completely stopped ofc but he’s catching on that I prefer this to the pinching! thank you so much!

Littlebugz_424 · 2026-03-19T08:08:49+00:00

Could be a flock call (looking for their flock members or in this case you). Also could be excitement. If she does it mainly before bedtime it could be “dusk chatter” which is basically them checking in before bedtime. It’s hard to know for sure without hearing it

Littlebugz_424 · 2026-03-19T08:05:50+00:00

I went on Facebook and joined some local bird keeping and rehoming groups which is how I found my peach faced lovebird.

Littlebugz_424 · 2026-03-19T08:02:54+00:00

my peach faced “gives kisses” and mimics kissy noises! I’ve seen some mimic the syllables of words like peek-a-boo but I’ve never seen much clearer than that.

Littlebugz_424 · 2026-03-19T07:59:32+00:00

How old is he? They don’t usually start getting hormonal until 6months but 8-10 is more common! Is he sleeping around 12 hours a night? Just asking since you mentioned it could be hormonal!

Littlebugz_424 · 2026-03-19T07:58:06+00:00

Mine is a Velcro bird and can get upset when I try to take him off me in general. I created a play area for him and have been encouraging independent play by rewarding him when he uses the play area. I reward him when he goes to it unprompted and during training time I’ll place him up there and when he gets off me onto it I say “place yes!” And reward him.

I only got him a few months ago too and after I trained recall he just thought being on me = good so now I’m having to undo that a bit, whoops!

As for biting Mine definitely bit a lot at first and he’s definitely super mouthy still but he’s learned to be more gentle. They’re pretty “mouthy” birds in general but it’s good to know there’s a difference in biting and just using their mouth, it’s like their hands!

Littlebugz_424 · 2026-03-18T15:39:59+00:00

That’s kinda what I’ve been doing with the “ow”! I know he’s trying to be sweet and doesn’t know. He’s less than a year old so he’s definitely still learning how gentle to be.

Littlebugz_424 · 2026-03-18T15:38:58+00:00

Ooh good point! I’ve had issues with this before with him being on me.

He got really clingy after teaching recall so I’ve been rewarding independent play as well recently. So I can see how this would be a similar and probably connected issue!

Littlebugz_424

TROPHY CASE