"Tame" conure

Fare

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Jun 26, 2013
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Hi guys
I bought a conure last week as tame and hand reared, I understand it can take a while before a bird settles in but its over a week now and the birds still petrified of my hand - surely if it was hand reared it should be used to the human hand?
 

weco

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Tame can mean that it is not a biter & hand reared can mean hand fed.....interpretations are left to the seller, there is no standard for the various terms used, though one might assume there should be.....

Just because a chick is taken out for feeding & put back does not mean that bird is comfortable with a stranger's hands.....
 
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Fare

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Whilst I appreciate that they can define it however they deem it necessary would you think it's worth me trying to tame it myself, or just wait until he's used to his new environment.
To be fair I've been working late throughout the week which hasn't given the best chance to bond with the parrot, just a little worried that he might not like me!
 

BoomBoom

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May 2, 2012
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Some parrots take days, others may take months before they fully trust you. He is in an alien, new environment and probably missing his old home, siblings and human. Give him some space and time, I'm sure he will warm up to you when he is ready :)
 

SoCalWendy

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If he is afraid of hands, than use positive reinforcement (food) you need to teach him that hands are only used for good things. But never force him to do anything. Find out what he enjoys/loves and use it as a treat. Offer some to him from your hand from a distance and see if he will come over to you to get his treat. If he does, praise him verbally and give him the treat. Speak softly, and always move slowly. It will take time, and never force him to so anything that he isn't comfortable with. If you go at their pace, your bond will be stronger.

With Rio, she hated my hands. I took it personally, don't. After she started taking her favorite seed from me only then did I try and touch her. I started with her beak, praising verbally and treating her each time she let me touch her. It's been weeks and she finally trusts my hands. I had to clip her nails because they were getting so sharp and she was catching them on clothing and her bungee. I was so scared to do it because I didn't want to undo what I had accomplished. I couldn't wait until she was ready for the nail clip, I just had to do it. My husband gently toweled her and I did the clipping of her nails. She was pretty upset for about an hr and wouldn't take any treats from me, but she didn't hold it against me after that. Whew!
 
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Fare

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Thanks Wendy, want to let him out the cage but he just flies into the window looks painful! Hoping next week will prove fruitful going to spend as much time as possible with him so he gets used to me!
 

SoCalWendy

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Thanks Wendy, want to let him out the cage but he just flies into the window looks painful! Hoping next week will prove fruitful going to spend as much time as possible with him so he gets used to me!

Do you have any window treatments? If you do close them so he won't fly in to the window. You don't want him to break his neck. For now just sit next to his cage with a bowl of his favorites, speak softly and offer his treats. Your can even pretend that you are eating them and then offer it to him. Take it sloooooow. :) oh and don't stare at him, especially if he is afraid at this time. But you can look at him, try and mimic him like turn your your head to the side, blink your eyes... Etc.
 
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Fare

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We've had progress today, found he's very fond of Orange's been feeding him through the cage now he's allowing me to give him a little tickle but still a tad shy!
Yeah I've bought a black blind it was only the first time he had a fly about he went into the window poor little guy don't want to trim his wings find the whole process distressing would you advise to do so?
 

forbey

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It's been months and Skittles still won't step up. I take what I can get. He has, over the past week, stepped up with one foot while letting me scratch his head or while he investigates my fingers.

In time, all in time! :)

Patience is a virtue;
Perseverance is a skill.

The problem is making his patience and your perseverance meld!
 
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