Biting and trying to get into my mouth

[BagOfMoss]

I have a Lovebird named Lily and she is at least 1-2 years old, we bought her off of her old owner who kept her and her late partner in a garage for a year after receiving the pair from his late father. Due to something in her past she absolutely hates hands. So bad that when we got her, she came with a knit glove.

We've only had her for 4 months and the only way we could touch her starting last month is with kisses. Now it's the only thing she wants, nipping at my neck,face, and ears when she doesn't get them, and biting at lips even when she gets them.

She also has a weird thing with trying to get into my mouth and biting at my teeth, she tends to also "lick her lips" after receiving a kiss

I've tried giving her millet when she doesn't bite and turning attention away when she bites, like turning my head away and putting her somewhere else that isn't on my shoulder/head.

I'm trying my best to not only be fair to her but also set a boundary with her, if I could get any help it would be appreciated!

 

[Shezbug]

Please stop letting her bite at your teeth and if you are to let her kiss your lips make sure they are totally clean and dry- human saliva can actually make birds very sick and even kill them if the right bacteria is present. Plus, as you've already encountered it is causing some safety concerns for your face too.

Have you made progress with getting her to trust your hands? I would not personally use gloves to interact with her- I would be wanting her to learn to trust your hands will not grab at her or force her to allow touch etc

 

[BagOfMoss]

I don't allow her to bite at my teeth, I do know the safety risk that it can be.

We (me and my family) don't use the glove but she does land on our hands for a brief moment, the best we can currently do is hiding our hands in a jacket and then she will happily land on that, I've tried hand feeding and it hasn't worked out so far

 

[orphansparrow]

Hmm. Seems like it might take some time. I love your username