New Sun Conure. Advice for bonding?

Hi-
Tomorrow I am going to meet my potential new Sun Conure. He or she is listed on my local craigslist. He/she has had 2 previous owners and I'm not sure if they know the age of the bird. He is coming with his original cage and toys, and I'm hoping that will help him ease into his new surroundings. I am worried that he will have a hard time bonding with me because he has had a couple owners. Are conures known for being one owner type of birds or do you think he will take to me easily? His current owner says hes very friendly and likes to be out of his cage. Are there any tips and tricks to bonding with a new bird?

Also, I've read that Suns are very noisy. Is there a lot of truth to that? Or do they scream only when they need something? I realize this probably differs from bird to bird.

What should I look for as far as health goes?

Thanks for any help!

Suns are typically very noisy, yes, but more than that, they are very loud. Not good apartment birds. You can train them to be less vocal but overall they are loud birds.

As for bonding with you, you can do it for sure, but it will take time to develop that trust. Let it set its own pace in terms of coming out of the cage, spending time with you, eating with you. Even if he doesn't want to be directly with you, incorporate him as much as you can with your activities. Eat with him or by his cage, talk to him, watch tv with him, put him in your bedroom at night. Have a lie-in on a weekend morning with him on your bed - this is when my birds are most snuggly, when it's grey out and we just hang out for an extra hour in bed.

When he tolerates handling and enjoys it, start working on very light training with his favourite treat as a reward - teach him a contact call (this will help lessen the noise, too, when he learns that the contact call gets him attention but screeching doesn't); teach him to step up (he may know already, but if you "reteach" him, it will help him gain confidence in himself and you); teach him to touch the end of a chopstick with his beak on command (later, you can expand this into more tricks); teach him circle / flip / wave etc. All in its own time, of course.

A trip to the vet for a clean bill of health couldn't hurt. When you pick him up, for you are looking for clean legs, clear and bright eyes, clean vent and nostrils, clean-looking tongue, interactive and curious is good to see, too.

Good luck!

Next to Macaws I can find the suns in a room full of birds Loud yes distinctive call yes funny acrobats and foolish clowns Yes and yes have fun with your new bid but understand the louder the enviroment (i.e. barking dogs, tv, children runnig thru the house, radio blasting) the louder he will be I love suns and would have one in a minute if not for their natural volume. So if that is going to be a problem look for something quieter like a GCC or a myers or senegal . Hope this helps to know; that my Sene was 3yrs old and I was his 5th owner he is my love and a good companion and I wouldn't trade all the sore fingers and vet visits it cost to get us to this point.
With a new bird I would say Love them for what they are as you see them now not what you hope they will become because he may never talk even though its a breed known for talking and it may not sing and dance on cue like the ones on youtube but he will steal into your heart and get under your skin to a point that even your best friend will never understand the connection but you and your bird will.

I live with roomates and the they say they wont mind the noise..but would you recommend keeping him in my room while he's adjusting to his new home or down in the common area where there are more people to keep him company during the day?

lexi.renae said:

I live with roomates and the they say they wont mind the noise..but would you recommend keeping him in my room while he's adjusting to his new home or down in the common area where there are more people to keep him company during the day?

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Put him where all the activity is, unless he is looking nervous or scared.

I would keep him where the activity is , but if there is too much noise After she goes to bed you might want to get a sleep cage for it for your bedroom. That way it will get a more rested sleep : )