New Blue Crown Help for a Challenging Bird <3

Hello everyone!! I am brand new to these forums.

Let me start out by saying I have a lot of experience with Conures, and they are truely some of the greatest of our winged friends. Unfortunately the love of my life, Beakon a Fancy GCC died not too long ago. I am not sure how old he was, but he was one of the happiest and friendliest birds I have ever met.

A few months ago I decided it was time to make a new feathered friend and I brought home a 2-year old male Blue Crowned Conure I have named Rizzo (after the muppet). I was not given any specifics on this bird's past, but I can only assume he had not been let out of the cage very much. He seems "happy" inside of his cage (where he is safe), and will rarely venture out on the door landing, even for treats. If he realizes he will have to get on your hand he will glance away as if to roll his eyes, and then turn his butt right around and walk back into his cage.

The only times he is obviously aggressive is at night when I cover his cage (occasionally I get the grouch "why are you waking me up go away!" hiss), but otherwise he is a quiet, timid, and gentile bird.

I guess my question is, do I need to make my bird come out? He has been here over 3 months, and I have patiently tried to let him want to come out.. but I think I will need a walker if I wait till that happens

Notes:
He does a great job eating his pellets, has no idea how to bathe, extremely interested in toys (rotated weekly), says "HI!" when you walk into the room, and sticks his tongue out like a goofus and loves to walk upside down in his cage and dance. He vigorously flaps his wings whenever he has to step up (I suspect out of fear). Not much of a biter unless he's overly stimulated (no-bell policy :31: )

My question is: Do I just need to accept that he is a cage bird?? ...that seems like an unfair life!

Maybe I am just a little spoiled with my GCC experience... he is so very different! Would appreciate advice from everyone, and especially BCC parents

I am dedicated & determined to figure this guy out and make him feel happy and loved! Thanks guys!! :41:

Congrats on the BCC the best conure you can get . Heck no you better not accept it. That isn't a life worth living. If he's cage bound you have to be extremely careful not to push him to fast, progress will be slow but, you need to teach him leaving his cage is way more fun. Depending on what kind of outcome your looking for, take it slooow. Treats and talking to him in a soft excited voice so he gets to trusting you and liking being away from the cage. Again just don't force it. Parrots being propetual toddlers means they have to figure it out by themselves. Good luck and what the heck wheres the pics?

Firstly, id like to say that you sound very dedicated, and this makes me happy. I say take it slow, go ahead over to the new member section and introduce yourself, Explain your whole story and let everyone get to know you.

Congrats on your BCC theyre super cool birds.

I agree with ACE209, take it super slow, it sounds like you've got the patience, you will need it. I had a Nanday that i rehabilitated, he was never let out of his cage for 8 years. by the time i re homed him (which was why he was with me in the first place, for me to re home him), i had him coming out willingly and flying over to me for treats.

But definitly take it slow, talk to him like he's the beauty he is, offer him treats (in his bowl first get him used to what they taste like) then in your palm. maybe leave it a couple inches infront of your hand, getting him used to getting closer until he takes it from your hand (this may take weeks)

But trust me[/B he will come around, dont give up because birds that have had no life super appreciate when they learn wht you'r offering them and become super grateful for what you've done for them, and become your beeessssttt friend

Good luck!

I have a Blue Crown who is a rescue. It is getting close to 3 years since I adopted him from a rescue organization with no information whatsoever about his age or history other than he had a cage mate that died while at the rescue. I was fortunate that I did not have any issue getting him out of his cage once he was out of quarantine because he was very interested in meeting my other BCC. Getting him back in was another story since he was very hand shy but I managed.

My Rosco never really has gotten used to hands. Though he has gotten to the point where he likes to visit me. Several times a day he will fly over and land on my leg or my laptop screen and give me "The Eye". I always talk to him and mostly hold still. He seems to enjoy being close and seeing what I'm up to. But if I hold a finger up to him, he will lean away and eventually will fly. It took quite a while but I can get him to step up now when he is on his cage or on the playpen. He still does not like contact with my hand and will sometimes fly off but he will come right back and after that little bit of protest will step up and allow me to stroke or examine him or put him back in his cage.

Echoing what was said above in the other posts, patience is the key. For encouraging him to come out, is there something outside of his cage that he would like to do or play with? You might try getting him a play stand with some toys and sitting it right outside the door. Load it up with treats and goodies then walk away. Seeing nice things within easy reach will be very tempting and hopefully he will come out. Over time he will start to feel more secure outside of the cage. And being in a more neutral place, he may be more willing to interact with you rather than head for the security of his cage. If he is out, I would take a seat nearby at or even below eye level with him. Just talk to him softly. Maybe slowly reach out and put a treat on a perch where he can see that and withdraw your hand. When he eats the treat, eat something yourself so that he feels he is eating with his flock.

You could also try something that I suggested a couple of weeks ago in this thread. It will get the full attention of my pair just about every time.

Blue Crowns are intelligent and curious birds. And they can be quite playful and affectionate. Once your new friend comes out of his shell I think you will be surprised at the personality that emerges. Just look for posts about Gilbert from "ruffledfeathers". Now there is a Blue Crown who knows to have fun!

He's cage bound. And he isn't tame because he hasn't been handled enough. You need to start over from square 1 with basic taming and training.

Get him out on a playstand away from the cage. At first he won't know what to do, and he won't like it. But after awhile when he figures out he's safe, his attitude will start to improve.

Thank you everyone!!! I will keep trying, I got him to step out onto the landing of his cage today and dance which seems like a good sign. I am told he's about 2 years old but I noticed today he has a lot of feathers at the bottom, hopefully this is just a young molt.

I appreciate all of the great advice!! Pictures soon!!!