New Owner in Need of Help :(

Argy

New member
Sep 10, 2013
5
0
Hi guys! I'm new to this forum and parrot owning. Although I am inexperienced at owning a parrot, I've done months of research and looked for the right kind of parrot.

To start, I own an almost-2 green cheeked conure by the name of Neo. Neo was adopted from a woman with 3 kids and not enough time to devote to my feathered friend. He has a large green cage with clean water, some destructible toys a constant supply of food, and a cozy tent to sleep in.

AT first I had the cage on my dresser, but I noticed he had some dominant behavioral problems, so I did more research and decided to put the cage on the floor so he was no longer at eye level.

The next thing I started doing was attempting to put myself as head flock by trying to teach him how to step up and down. Right now I'm at the stage where everytime I get him on my finger, I say "up" and when I want him to hop off I say "down". This works with 80% success rate at the moment.

I got him last week, so his first vet visit is planned for this upcoming monday to get him checked out and the works (he's a fully flighted bird and too hard to train this way, so I'm getting his wings clipped as well as trimming his nails).

My problem(s) are that he suddenly started being horribly territorial (mostly when he's on his cage waaaay under eye level, but it's not just there). He puff up and squawks very quietly, sniffing and clicking his beak. Then I can't even put my finger close enough to discipline him before he gets me. He's also terrified of perches and wont step on them unless they're in his cage. We were getting along so well....I just dont know why he started to act like this. I'm terrified of him now. I just cant get him to stop nipping or to get him to understand that I'm the head of the flock, not him.

I want him to be a part of my small family, and right now, he's starting to look like a cage-parrot, which is horribly detrimental to the parrot. I dont want to make him mean or into a biter. What can I do? I'm so desperately upset :(

One more thing. Whenever I left the room up until this day, he'd shriek for me. We were trying to get him to calm down by rewarding him for the silence. Now it's scary how silent he is, mostly because it seems coupled with the biting behavior.

My disciplining method is just me saying "no" sternly while he's nipping, and giving him a dirty look. It doesn't seem to be working :(

Any help is so, so appreciated. Ive only had him a week and I already want to cry.
:green2:
 
OP
A

Argy

New member
Sep 10, 2013
5
0
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #2
He also won't play with his toys and I cant get him to forage. :/
 

SandyBee

New member
Oct 5, 2012
1,455
1
Coquitlam BC, Canada
Parrots
DYH Amazon-Rescue- Bosley (36),
African Brown head-Rescue- August(9)
Ok
First off you have only had him a week, first you have to show him that the place he is at is comfortable, good and safe.
I really don't believe in flock leader theory, they have mates, they have a flock and they have reveered flock members but not necessarily a leader.

His cage is his home and putting on the floor is not helping, he might be a little territorial at first, it's the only thing he has control over.
Keep working with step up/down offering rewards when he does.
When he nips it's ok to say no and put him back in his cage, but you have to realize they nip to tell you something. The goal is to get them to want to do what you ask.
Good Luck and just give it some time, birdies do take a while to feel comfortable and trust. If you keep working with him it will get better, keep training sessions short.
 
OP
A

Argy

New member
Sep 10, 2013
5
0
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #4
Should I put the cage back where I had it? I read somewhere that putting them beneath your eye level is the best way to get them to respect you...but I don't know.

Also, how do I make him feel comfortable and safe? He regurgitated for me today so I think he at least enjoys my company.
 

SandyBee

New member
Oct 5, 2012
1,455
1
Coquitlam BC, Canada
Parrots
DYH Amazon-Rescue- Bosley (36),
African Brown head-Rescue- August(9)
Aww he wants to be your mate, I say put it back up.
What ideally what you want is for them not to always be higher than you,

You make him feel comfortable by talking to him, feeding him, offering treats
training him with lots of praise when he does well and not forcing him to do things quite yet, get to know him. Respect his feelings and try to figure out best you can what he is trying to tell you.
 

MarciaLove

New member
Jan 4, 2012
1,274
1
USA Georgia
Parrots
Sugar the Blue Crown Conure♂, Merlin the Camelot Macaw♂
some birds are territorial of cages and thats hard to change putting the cage on the ground will actually increase that problem as they will be scared of being down low because they are most comfortable higher and they wont be happy low, id put the cage back up high so he is happy and comfortable. I dont know i you did but they need time to adjust to their surroundings i would leave him in the cage a couple days to get used to the room at first then let him come out on his own while you just talk to him and offer treats then you can start trying to get him to let you pet him and step up. As for nipping you just have to ignore it dont tell him "no" and dont scream or jump away they bite to get a reaction any reaction so just dont give any i know it hurts but you have to try and ignore it and he will stop eventually. Hes only been with you for a week so he may not play much now give him time and he will forage and play.
 
OP
A

Argy

New member
Sep 10, 2013
5
0
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #7
I took your advice marcia and the improvement was instantaneous!
 

Lynne

New member
Sep 11, 2013
1
0
Hi i have not long had a conure he is aboutt 2 years old just in need as how we can be more hands on he will take food from us seems to be itching alot any advice would be welcome .
 

Most Reactions

Latest posts

Top