Taming an "aviary bird" (lorikeet)?

[User395221]

I went to the bird shop today to get some food and as usual I looked in all of the aviaries and talked to the shop birds.... One of the lorikeets in the outside aviaries came straight over to me. I talked to him for a bit, then walked off, then went back again. He was having a bath, but when he finished, he came over to me again.

Long story short, I brought him home with me. (sucker! )

I find it hard to think that he's an aviary bird because he's so friendly. He lets me touch his tummy and his beak, and doesn't flit away the way I expect "aviary birds" to behave. Perhaps he was tamed at one time, or handled wherever he was before he came to the bird shop, I don't know. (the bird shop keeps the hand-reared tame birds for sale inside the shop, this bird was out in the aviary section)

Anyway, is it realistic to think he could be a tame bird if I work with him? He's out on the patio at the moment, I'll keep him away from my other birds for a quarantine period, but if he could be tamed to be handled, I'll consider bringing him inside after that.

What do you think? Can older "wild" birds be tamed?

 

[JaeG]

For sure! He sounds like a bird that someone at least handled as a chick. He may not be hand reared but he's definitely been handled if he lets you touch him. Sounds like you are already halfway there with your new bird and it sounds like he's eager to build up a relationship with you. How awesome is that?!

 

[Flight Feathers]

For sure! He sounds like a bird that someone at least handled as a chick. He may not be hand reared but he's definitely been handled if he lets you touch him. Sounds like you are already halfway there with your new bird and it sounds like he's eager to build up a relationship with you. How awesome is that?!

I certainly agree!! Sounds like he already wants to be your best friend!

 

[User395221]

Thanks, I didn't want to have unrealistic ideas.
I think you're right and that he has to have been handled, to be so "people friendly" and allow such personal touching from a complete stranger. My (adopted) weiros don't even let me do that (we interact more by "talking" than me handling them, if they don't want me to, I don't). They are more skittish than this "aviary" bird.

and it sounds like he's eager to build up a relationship with you.

He really "did a number" on me. I need more pets like I need a hole in the head but he was just all "hello, take me home" charming (especially since he was in the aviary-who would expect someone to come flying over and let you pet them?)
(I am saying "he" but I don't know what sex it is.)