The Importance of Socialization

Grandparents are great, aren't they? They love attending all sorts of school functions and sporting events. Grandparents baby-sit their grandkids when the parents go off on fun trips like Alaska, New York City and Australia. They birdie sit. Grandparents even help baby birds wean and fly.

In 1998, my husband Marty, who is in the Army, got reassignment orders to attend school in Pennsylvania. Military families don't go on vacation - we move. And since we were in Washington State at the time, it meant a cross-country move. In a mini van packed with 2 adults, 4 kids, a dog and 2 lovebirds? Hmmm. Luckily Grandma V had flown out to WA for our oldest daughter's high school graduation and "volunteered" to take Romeo and Juliet back to New Jersey with her. I checked with the airlines, made reservations and two little lovebirds were checked as carry-on and stowed at Grandma's feet. The birds were set up in a small airline approved pet carrier with millet, seed and some apple slices. They slept most of the flight since it was dark in their carrier for which Grandma was very thankful. We mailed a small cage, food and toys ahead of time so everything would be set up and ready for Romeo and Juliet's arrival. I suspect there were a few extra toys waiting for them thanks to Aunt Mimi. Romeo and Juliet had been handled for 2 years so they were very people friendly. And because their wings were clipped, they couldn't fly…very far anyway. Like most birds, lovebirds are smart and are known escape artists. Their first night in NJ they showed Grandma V just how smart they were. Romeo and Juliet managed to get out of a cage they had never seen before. They explored around a bit before settling in on a comfy teddy bear and went to sleep for the night. Unfortunately Grandma V has a lot of comfy teddy bears. When she realized the birds were missing she searched the entire house but couldn't find them. She went to bed with the lights on and one eye open. The next morning, Romeo and Juliet chirped "good morning" and Grandma found them, scooped them up and quickly got them in their cage. That cage soon had twist ties and clothes pins all over it! I think it will be awhile before Grandma "volunteers" to birdie sit again. It took her a few days before she would tell us about The Great Escape.

I am sure there would have been a very different ending if I hadn't played with the lovebirds every day and made sure their wings were always clipped. All our babies are hand fed and are hand tame. We have a curious dog so they are used to animals wandering around their cage usually cleaning up the floor. My husband and daughters sometimes play with the babies. I even have Grandma P and Grandpa P get into the act. Grandma P especially likes the bright yellow colors of the lutinos. She names them all "Buttercup." In December 2003 when the grandparents were here for their Christmas visit, I had some babies that were just starting to wean and learning to fly. Most of the babies were figuring out how to fly, but this one little bit just could not get it. Try, as hard as it could with its head bobbing and wings flapping it just couldn't get lift off. Finally, with Grandma P and all the other babies on her shoulders chirping encouragement, that baby flew straight to Grandma. I'm not sure who was more excited, the bird or Grandma, but there was much celebration.

Grandpa P usually just likes to stand in front of the baby cage and whistle back and forth to the birds. This time he helped a "Buttercup" give up the syringe. One stubborn little lutino was eating fine, keeping its weight but just would not drink from a water bottle or the water cup in its cage. So instead of feeding with the syringe Grandpa would hold the tip of the syringe just above the bird so it would lick the formula being pushed out the tip. Buttercup finally figured out if it also licked the water bottle tube, water would come out - it quit using the syringe.

Having different people handling the babies makes them less afraid of hands and willing to go to most people. Once you bring your new baby home, continue having different people play with it. It will prevent the baby from forming a bond with just one person and be an enjoyment for the whole family. Keeping the wings clipped is another good idea. Some people feel a bird should be able to "fly free." Unfortunately, there have been stories of birds flying free right out a door or into a window. A bird with clipped wings can still fly; they just can't gain height. You'll still be able to play chase around the table legs but you'll also be able to cheat, throw a kitchen towel over the bird and win the game!

Written by Kathy Vozzo of KLM Aviary