Introducing Pinky

Hello,

My name is Ben.

I recently purchased a Green Cheek Conure.



Im not sure how old she is. I got her from a breeder.

She's settling in very well.

We've started training which seems to be going well.

Set up command down pat, She's started to show me her wings when i scratch under her wings and we're learning to lay on her back. Next will be turn around which i have tried doing but havent got that far yet.

I feed her a seed mix along with fresh fruit and veggies. Also started her on a Vetafarm pellet mixed with her seed. Only started that today will get back to you on that a little later.

Thanks

Ben

Congratulations and welcome! My first bird was a green cheeked named Kiwi. He is still with us and is now 10 years old. Very smart bird and a big talker for a little bird. Have fun with her.

Welcome on board and to the birdie world.
She is so cute and sooooo small I love Pinky !!!!
Take your time, bonding, talking and talking and talking, you will be rewarded greatly.
Enjoy your birdie time
Take care

Welcome, beautiful green cheek...!

Hey,

Thanks for the kind comments.

In the last 2 days Pinky has started to go abit nuts in her cage. If i dont pay her any attention and she can see me or hear me she goes nuts. Climbs up and down the cage hangs up side down. Is that normal or does she just want attention.

Pinky is starting to turn on my partner. She tries to scratch pinky in her cage and she bites her and flaps her wings. But when she is out of the cage no biting or flapping.

I made her a "T" stand out of PVC pipe to train her better. Ive also been reading about clicker training and wondering peoples thoughts.

Ben

Not only are you all going through the transitional period, but it also sounds like she is cage territorial. Many birds are like that. Some of mine I can reach in and get, others have to come out on their own, then I can pick them up. It's just going to take time for her to get really good and settled in and then you can get to know her likes and dislikes, read her body language and then you will get along fine. Good luck.

Hi Ben
Riley's mom is correct "cage territorial"
Try leaving the cage door open, leaving Pinky to decide when to come out.
Once she feels more secure, more familiar with her surroundings eventually she will come out.
Keep up the good work, let us know how it's going.
Posted a new thread "clicker training" you might find it interesting.
Take care

If you want Pinky to come out of the cage you can try to see if she will step up on a perch that is in your hand. Perch training is important for a bird to know just in case they get out of the home.

I dont have any problems with getting her out of the cage.

Its only with my girlfriend that this happens and when im not home.

Pinky and I started clicker training tonight. will be interesting to see how she does with it.

Im having a little problem with her at the moment. When she comes out her cage, onto my hand and straight up to my shoulder and behind my head. Now it is very hard to get her off my shoulders. Any ideas on how to solve this?

Thanks

Ben

People will tell you not to let a bird on your shoulder. My bird really want to be there too. It is usually when I am on the computer. When she gets on your hand and starts to walk up your arm just put the other hand in front of her as a block and say a gentle no. Of course she will keep trying but there are safety reasons a bird should not be shoulder trained - some for your own safety. Good luck

Auggie is fairly territorial about his cage as well. Many people think this is something that needs to be 'trained out' though I don't really agree. The cage is their space, we need to respect that.

They do need to be trained to allow us to clean it and refill food and water. But other than that we should respect their space. I never reach into Auggie's cage to get him out. Although he wants to be out enough that once I open the door he is climbing out.

As others have suggested, if your girlfriend is going to get him out of the cage she should just open the door and let him come out on his terms.



As for the shoulder issue, I've gone through some phases with Auggie. Some will argue that being on your shoulder makes them 'dominant' - these arguments make little sense and are usually a load of crap. However if they are on your shoulder and get nippy there is a real safety issue as SB pointed out. If you get a finger ripped open a bandaid and a little time will have it healed up. Necks and faces are much more sensitive though. There is also the issue that you really can't see what they are doing to anticipate any trouble.

Perhaps the most dangerous part of having a parrot on a shoulder is getting them down. You can really see, can barely reach when your arm is all contorted... so the bird sees a flailing hand flying at them from an odd direction. This is perhaps the easiest way to get bit. I never reach up to get Auggie off my shoulder, rather I bend down next to his cage and ask him to step down.

Anyhow, long story short I do allow Auggie on my shoulder, but he's had to learn some restrictions (ie it's a 'privilege' not a 'right') and he's learned to hand out on my arm or chest more. So there is nothing wrong per so with shoulders, just encourage him to get used to perching on other areas as well.

Hi Ben
I think all birds think they own the shoulder.
Mishka did exactly the same when younger.
When on my computer or in my office, she now goes onto her playpen.
At night whilst sitting on my lap she tried to get onto my shoulder.
I said NO SHOULDER, in a soft gently voice, and place her on the playpen.
She no longer climbs onto my shoulder.
It took ages and a lot of patience, BUT I WON IN THE END LoL
I attached a playpen to the stand of a hostess trolley.
It has wheels, I attached a board at the bottom, where her potty goes.
When on the playpen, I push her into the office.....
She says car and makes the sound.
She just loves her "car".
Tough love and persistence will pay off.
Keep us updated.
Cheers for now
Attached is a pic' of her car.

As everyone has been saying, the shoulder riding can be okay, then sometimes not. My macaws will get up on my shoulder, but not want to come down easily. Therefore, they are not given the opportunity to get up there anymore. Justwingingit has a hyacinth that goes straight for my shoulder, but comes back to my hand easily so I don't mind that she goes up there. I have seen some owners that let there birds ride around on their shoulders and the bird get spooked at something and nails them in the face. Not fun! Like AD said, training.

i just have to say i LOVE this forum! You guys are so helpful!

Had an interesting event happen today with Pinky.

I was out side finishing of my decking. It went a little quiet, thought to myself she must have gone to sleep. 10mins past and nothing not a peep. Somethings not right and sure enough she had pocked her head through the bars and got stuck. Silly girl!

B

OH that could be dangerous! The bars on cages have recommended spaces per species. It must be on the internet somewhere or someone else knows.

Cute pic. of Mishka's car. How much are the monthly payments??

The man who sold me the cage said that it was perfect for a green cheek.

Pinky has turned into a very adventures bird. Today she managed to get out of her cage and Rome free. I pleased to say that i have since bought a new cage a much large wrought iron one! I have all so pinky proofed it so there will be no more getting out! That said I think she has settled in very well!

B

I like my face, just the way it is..... NO BIRD ON MY SHOULDER
You never know is something is going to aggravate the bird at any given moment.
A sudden noise or movement could leave an ugly scar on your face etc, and plastic surgery is expensive !!!
Good luck

We are happy for your and Pinky. That man that sold you the "perfect cage" should be informed he does not know what he is talking about.

So thinkings have been a little busy lately. It's starting to show with pinky. She's been getting a little agressive and bitey.

So I shall spend some more time with her ans hopefuly things shall return back to normal