Rose crowned conure terrified of hands

I recently acquired a rose crowned conure. He was hand raised, but not handled all that much. In some ways, he is getting better every day - he will step up sometimes, he eats with us, hangs out, plays games, takes baths, and is affectionate (he likes rubs, kisses, and to groom DH's beard), and more or less gets along with my GCC.

However, he is terrified of our hands. He will step up off the floor (he is clipped) and off his perch, but when it comes to having him step up off the couch or his cage (if he's on top of it) he freaks out - digs his feet and his beak in, or runs around to escape us. He will sometimes step up on my arm, which I try to get let him do, and I try to give him treats out of my fingers so he will associate hands with positive things (sometimes he takes it).

Despite all that, it is sometimes necessary to get a hold of him to put him back in his cage, and I hate doing it. I feel like for every step forward, we take two steps back, and I'm not sure how to proceed because it's not getting any better. I never had this issue with my GCC who will gladly hop up at the first opportunity (getting her down is another matter ). Help, please!

lol think i am wrong, but it reads like my nut, your birds not afraid of hands he justs wants to hang out in the cool places (places he feels secure)

i never push the issue with nut, she does step up now (its been a year) but i always give her plenty of time to make up her mind

and all this activity you get to do with him is great welcome and pics please, you've not had him long so a little patiance, what your doing reads fine and yes every now an again we have to pick the nut up, to cage her, as she feels its too early for bed, or thinks she should be left out while we go to work/school

suebee said:

lol think i am wrong, but it reads like my nut, your birds not afraid of hands he justs wants to hang out in the cool places (places he feels secure)

i never push the issue with nut, she does step up now (its been a year) but i always give her plenty of time to make up her mind

and all this activity you get to do with him is great welcome and pics please, you've not had him long so a little patiance, what your doing reads fine and yes every now an again we have to pick the nut up, to cage her, as she feels its too early for bed, or thinks she should be left out while we go to work/school

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Hmm, the breeder also thinks it is an attitude problem, not fear. I'm still undecided.

It could be attitude because he will step up when he wants to (off the floor, perch). But as soon as he's on my finger, he flies for my shoulder (as much as he can, being clipped), and he will step up onto my forearm but run away from my finger.

And yeah, you're right, it hasn't been that long. I'm sure I had a few trust-building issues with my GCC when I got her, and I've just forgotten. Thank you for the reassurance! I'm sure it will be okay, but in the meantime it hurts my heart to see him freak out. He may just be manipulating me, of course.

Here he (Tristan) is with my GCC (Libby) the first day I let them interact. They alternate between preening each other adoringly and fighting.







The pick behind is not his regular cage btw, that's his sleep cage.

And yeah, you're right, it hasn't been that long. I'm sure I had a few trust-building issues with my GCC when I got her, and I've just forgotten. Thank you for the reassurance! I'm sure it will be okay, but in the meantime it hurts my heart to see him freak out. He may just be manipulating me, of course.

yup lol an fab looking birdies you have, sometimes to stop nut wondering off my hand an up my arm, i'll just hold my hands shoulder height an have elbow pointing down, but she is glighted, so makes no differance lol

I can't wait till these two are flighted! It'll be nice not to have to carry them around everywhere they want to go.

I love them, they are beautiful.

My vote would be the attitude problem. Sometimes Puck runs away or holds on really tight, but he is definitely not afraid of hands. He just wants his way. lol.

Thank you! He is really cute, and the stank he come with has finally gone away - he smelled like dirty cage but has not yet shown any inclination to play around in the bottom, thank goodness.

I am come to the conclusion that he is indeed afraid of hands. He will step up onto a sleeve or towel-covered arm just fine, but freaks out, runs away or "digs in" if fingers get close.

In a way this is easier to deal with than if he were just stubborn. We'll just keep our big paws out of his face unless it's to ply him with treats and I'm confident that eventually he'll get over his fear.

lol lol on flighted make sure you bird proof your home, other then the cleaning aspect, there was a small hole in the plaster near curtain rail, nut made it a lot less small

all corners of tables have been gnawed upon

every surface has been pooped on, so there are always cheap baby wipes handy in the house