Need help with Rudy Bird. I'm worried!

We recently adopted a 13 year old sun conure. He was with his former parents for almost his whole life. I sit by his cage at least 3 times a day, reading and talking to him, for about 1-2 hours per setting. He is not cage aggressive. I do put my hand in his cage so that he can come to it and investigate, so that he knows it is not going to hurt him. When he actually comes to it he gives my hand a soft quick nip and runs away. I make sure that I don't move my hand when he nips. He is taking treats from my hand, but I fear that is the only progress I'm making. I am also having to clean his cage while he is in it (no chemicals). He won't step up on a hand held perch. He gets terrified. What worries me is that he won't come out of his cage and only leaves his favorite perch to get food or water. I almost always have his cage door open and I have tried putting his favorite treat outside of his door and giving him space. Nothing is working and I'm worried that he is not getting enough exercise and out of his cage time. He also won't eat fresh, dried, or cooked veggies or fruit, even when I take his dry food out leaving him with that as his only option of food. It never works. I did get some vitamins for his water and I mix a little seed, dried fruit and veggies with his pellet once a day. I know that it's gonna take time and patience to get him to come around, but like I said, I fear that I am not making any progress and that he isn't getting enough exercise. Any advice or reassurance is greatly appreciated!

Welcome to the forum! How long have you had him??? To change their diet takes time, as you can't just change it all of the sudden and expect them to eat it. It's just gonna take plenty of time for him to get adjusted.

welcome to the forum Birdmaggard.

it can take months before they are willing to make the slightest improvements.....at least he doesn't bite you.
It sounds like your doing the right thing, just keep at it, and remember to relax.

if you have any more questions, we will help you in any way we can!

Thank you. I have had him for only 2 weeks and a day. I know it takes a while, and I knew taking him on that he might take longer due to his age and time with his last family. I am worried that he isn't getting what he needs while he adjusts. As for his food. His parents before had no problem with feeding him fresh veggies and fruit. He just wont eat them for me. Any suggestions? I tried hand feeding and putting it in his wet food dish like his former parents did. I will even try eating some in front of him. Nothing. Is it just due to the adjusting period? Is this normal? Sorry to unload so many questions I can't help but feel like he is being neglected. Also, while proof reading this I realized how much of a frantic first time over protective mom I sound like. Lol. Thank you for your response, it is greatly appreciated!

Are you cutting the fruits and vegetables the same way as the previous family? Size and shape.

Thank you crimson. I just need to remember to breathe. I just haven't had these problems before.

Thanks gizzygirl. You might be on to something. I cut them up in small pieces. I will try to contact his former parents again and ask. I didn't think of that.

You should read my post about Jayde, my newest conure.

http://www.parrotforums.com/conures/36663-long-overdue-intro-jayde-red-throated-conure.html


I've now owned and cared for a total of 3 conures. All three came to me as adults, so I have no experience caring for a young conure. My first conure I was told he was 9 years old, but I really think he was quite a bit older when I got him. I had him for 5 years before I got my second conure, which was 12 years old at the time. Three years later, my first conure died. Three years after that, I got my third conure, and she's 3 going on 4! I actually thought she was 10 years old at first, but mistook her year of birth as her age!


My first conure was not your typical, average conure. He was pretty much hands off but we did have an understanding of each other, and I miss him greatly!

I feel as if my second conure is pretty typical of conures in general. He didn't like me when in his foster home, but immediately bonded to me once I got him home.

My third conure, well, you can read about her in the link.