How to Work Around One Person Bird Syndrome

BoomBoom

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May 2, 2012
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58
Parrots
Boomer (Sun Conure 9 yrs), Pewpew (Budgie 5 yrs), Ulap (Budgie 2 yrs), Eight & Kiki (Beloved Budgies, RIP)
Hey everyone! Me and my partner are parronts to a 5 month old Sun Conure named Boomer, and two 5 month old budgies, Capa and Quark. This thread concerns Boomer.

We had issues with Boomer screaming a lot before but he has improved greatly! He remains a very loving, cuddly, playful, inquisitive, voracious little conure and continues to surprise us everyday. The past month or so, he has seemed to develop a preference for me. We knew conures have a tendency to become one person birds before we took Boomer home. This becomes more pronounced at 1 to 2 years of age when they reach sexual maturity, or so we read. There are only two humans in our household. He is not aggressive towards my partner, he just prefers being on me. Boomer ignores the budgies although their presence has a positive effect on him.

Right now, our plan is for my partner to be the one to do the fun stuff with Boomer, I will do the chore part. Before it was half and half. This time, when we get home from work, I will do the cleaning / washing / food prep chores for Boomer while my partner will play, give treats and attention to him. I won't ignore Booms, I will just let my partner do most of the 'smothering' since I kind of over did that in the beginning.

Think this will work? We'd like to know if there is a way to balance a conure's affection so he shows it equally. Has anyone been succesful in working around the One Person Bird temperament of conures? Would love to hear your stories!

Before I go, here is a video I made of our little flock and of Boomer!

[ame="http://youtu.be/Gupdvjwb0xc?hd=1"]Boomer, Capa and Quark - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="http://youtu.be/QzXnRNavAJY?hd=1"]Boomer's Afternoon Stroll - YouTube[/ame]
 
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ann

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Feb 18, 2011
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USA
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1 nanday conure Black Jack, 1 Brotogeris parakeet Whiff, 1 ring neck dove Eliza, and 6 society finches (3 are tame). RIP my parent pairs of societies and my little gouldian finches

ann

New member
Feb 18, 2011
1,323
1
USA
Parrots
1 nanday conure Black Jack, 1 Brotogeris parakeet Whiff, 1 ring neck dove Eliza, and 6 society finches (3 are tame). RIP my parent pairs of societies and my little gouldian finches
also, never take him outside without a harness or flightsuit, even with clipped wings. If they catch a gust of wind they can still fly, it's happened to many owners. good luck and be safe!
 
OP
BoomBoom

BoomBoom

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May 2, 2012
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Boomer (Sun Conure 9 yrs), Pewpew (Budgie 5 yrs), Ulap (Budgie 2 yrs), Eight & Kiki (Beloved Budgies, RIP)
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Thanks for the link, Ann. That 60-40 rule already sounds like what we have right now, except its more 55-45. I just don't want it to slide further so this reinforces what our current plan is.

Also, thanks for the tip on the flight harness. The breeder we got him from cut his wings extremely short so he doesn't so much glide but drops down slowly. I didn't think a gust of wind could carry him too far away. He also sticks to us like glue. He rarely displays flight right now but yes, anything is possible so we'll definitely practice more safety. We were going to get him a flight harness when his feathers grow out, but we can always just introduce it earlier. He also has a carrier but I prefer to have him out and about to soak in the outdoors.
 
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AFP520

Banned
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Jun 7, 2012
202
0
NJ
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Lucy, Sun Capped Conure
I've had Lucy outside a couple of times and she too stuck on me like glue. We do have a harness for her as I feel the day will come when we bring her around a lot of other people and things going on she could be spooked easily.
 

luvmytooo

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Dec 22, 2011
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Really nice video. Such pretty birds :). Thanks for sharing !
Be careful outdoors though , a car back firing , etc..can spook a bird , even if it can't fly ,
injuries can occur . Just want you guys to be safe :)
Good luck !
 

luvmytooo

New member
Dec 22, 2011
1,914
1
New York
Parrots
*Yoshi* Goffins Cockatoo
* Rosie*Rose Breasted Galah
*Stella*Hyacinth Macaw
*Baby*Catalina Macaw

*Multiple Parakeets*
Oh , i forgot to mention , I do wish I could make videos like that !!
I'm lucky I can post pictures , lolol
 

friedsoup

New member
May 5, 2012
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North Carolina
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Senegal Male Bogart
well you have a good plan there, here is a question do you have a few friends with tought fingers? (hehe) have them over and play a little hot potato with your bird by handing him off to other people and let them hand him back when he shows nervousness and then handing him off again when he has calmed down always letting him know you or your partner are there for him and so he can get used to an ever growing and changing flock, let different people have different treats and some give scratches while holding him so he learns that new people are new places for for treats and scratches. This should help with what your dealing with and expand your friend base and with a harness he will be ready to meet new people and enjoy your outings, I take mine to Home Depot and Lowes and to flea markets or just walks in the parks (oh and be ready for the questions "Is that real?") is there a craze of people walking around with fake birds on their shoulders? enjoy your fid and let others know the joy he brings into your life.
 
OP
BoomBoom

BoomBoom

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May 2, 2012
1,722
58
Parrots
Boomer (Sun Conure 9 yrs), Pewpew (Budgie 5 yrs), Ulap (Budgie 2 yrs), Eight & Kiki (Beloved Budgies, RIP)
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Thanks for the concern everyone. I've always been vigilant when and where I take Boomer outside, but I'll be extra careful :)

Friedsoup, that's a good suggestion. I definitely want to expose Boomer to people and different stimuli while he is young so that he will be more adaptable and open to new things in the future. I haven't gotten the 'Is that real?' comment but I find it hilarious. I've gotten a few, 'Does he talk?' and 'Pretty bird!' from random strangers. Boomer seems to enjoy the attention.
 

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