Conures = awesome awesome birds

I've had him (still could be a her, but honestly hoping it's a him) for less than a month now. Best pet ever. I bought him from a Pet Smart, and he was already really well trained to step up. He does it automatically.

His personality is hilarious. I greet him with a "meep! meep!" and of course I get a super enthusiastic and excited "meep! meep!" back. He also says "yeaaaaah!" I don't think it's aggressive, but it can make him a bit too excited and he might get a bit nippy (somewhat rare though thankfully and he never bites hard). He also makes duck quacking sounds, so I named him Quackers.

I love how they like to be held. I usually put a napkin or something in between my hand so my sweat doesn't get on him. He also cuddles into my neck when tired. When I put him to bed he protests but eventually goes into his felt tube.

I'm also getting used to how he poops. He still poops on me, but working on getting him trained not to. His massive morning poops always astound me, but those I'm definitely prepared for. I always have a box of tissues around haha.

Everyone that's seen him or even heard about him, loves him too. I'm going to do everything to keep him healthy (no chemical sprays or any crap like that, and I always keep him warm). I can barely imagine having him for at least 20 years (up to 35 years!... I'll be 58 then!), but am excited for it.

Just wanted to post my success with my bird thus-far, and how much I love him! Pics below!

He loooves tangerines.


(blurry) closeup


Hiding


Fluffy buddy! (didn't stay fluffed up, just was a quick fluff)

Welcome to the forum... Quakers is gorgeous... How old is he?

I think their duck sounds are so funny.... and I agree with you that green cheeks are awesome birds... I have 8...

Welcome!
I llllllooooovvvveeee his name! So cute!
Hes also so pretty, and his colors are vibrant!
P.S. Be careful with tangerines. Their high acid content could upset your birdie's stomach.
All in all, Hi!

lene1949 said:

Welcome to the forum... Quakers is gorgeous... How old is he?

I think their duck sounds are so funny.... and I agree with you that green cheeks are awesome birds... I have 8...

Click to expand...

Hatched some time in September 2012!

ConureCrazy said:

P.S. Be careful with tangerines. Their high acid content could upset your birdie's stomach.
All in all, Hi!

Click to expand...

Yeah for sure, I was worried about that. Just a bit once and a while!

He's so cute! Do you give him carrots at all? Mine is obsessed with them As far as potty training, every single time we see ours go we say "go potty" and if he goes where he's supposed to we say it with more excitement and tell him "good boy!". We've only had him a month but every time we want to pick him up we hold him over the trash can and say "go potty" and he goes immediately!

Congrats Quackers is gorgeous! In the morning Jasmine produces that HUGE morning 'bomb' so the first thing I do is pop her onto her stand (just a T stand attached to a base - nothing fancy) and tell her to 'go poop'. Then she comes for cuddles.

Before I got the stand I had a tray on the sofa next to where i sit with kitchen roll on it. I would hold her over it and again say 'go poop'. I've had more success with the stand but it depends on your bird.

Before Quackers poops watch his body language - Jasmine does a little bottom shuffle before she goes and I then quickly move her to the stand etc. it's taken many weeks but she goes 90% of the time now.

Hope this helps

I couldn't agree with you more...Conures ARE awesome birds! I am so excited to hear you are having such great success with Quackers.

Franklin was at Petco...and although everyone warnes about staying away from chain stores, sometimes people do have great success. I know we have.

The Petco in our area uses the same breeder for all their conures because she does such a wonderful job of socializing them. They sell very fast! Franklin came came with his "hatch certificate" and vaccination records too.

Conures are notorious for getting a bit nippy when they are over stimulated or excited, Franklin will still attempt to toss a nip out there when he's over excited about something. However, we ALWAYS tell him No Bite, (even if he just gestured that he's thinking about it) and immediately "back off" on what ever might be exciting him. For example...he's not allowed to play with his cat ball with the bell inside when he's with us, because that ALWAYS sends him over the edge

Our Franklin IS a male and he's developing a rather extensive and clear vocabulary for a green cheek. He says, Hello, Him a good Boy, Chicken Little (our cockatiels name) Pretty bird(ie), Frank the Tank, Frankieeeee, Thank you!, Thank you Frankiee! Good Boy, Kiss, and a few other things I can't think of right off the top of my head.

So talk talk talk away to your little guy and one day he might suprise you!

Franklin always does a unique strech before doing a potty, when he does that, we can put him over where we want him to potty, whether it's a papertowel on the couch, or over a garbage can, hold him there for a moment and he potties. Of course he's always rewarded with a Good Boy!

As you already know, conures are amazing, fun, energetic, smart and entertaining little guys. Like you, we couldn't imagine our life without Franklin. I think the same thing...I could have him for the next 20 or 30 years!

I know you weren't asking for advice here...but I just have to say, Consistency is your best friend...stay consistent, don't encourage any "bad" behaviors even if they are cute right now, the sooner you curb them the easier his "puberty" might be.

Most of all...just love love LOVE him!

Good Luck and keep us updated. =

Toni

I totally agree with what everyone said above. Our GCC has been such a joy! We laugh constantly at his antics :30: they really are little clowns!

Fiji is our first bird, and hopefully not our last!

Welcome ,very pretty yellow sided gcc. They are my favorite for their coloring. Kind of like having a big colorful macaw with out the big beak and much easier to house and care for and not so heavy to hold. HEHE

I also agree with all the above posts. Maxx is my pride and joy. GCC's make the best pets. Quaker is a real cutie, congrats.