Beaky!

Hi!

I recently adopted (off craigslist) a one year old green cheek conure. He is my first bird and I already am so in love. Birds are just so different than any other pet I've ever had or have.

So he has a big cage, lots and lots of toys (a lot of which he could care less about) He talks and chatters and seems very happy now that he's settled in. My boyfriend and I have pretty good work schedules for him. I'm a nurse so I have four full days off. He works four days but gets to come home in the middle of his shifts. Basically, he is never alone for long. His last owner was a very sweet lady who loved him a lot and hated to get rid of him. He is presently playing on his perch top of cage area with his bells.

My problem I don't know bird brains. I've had dogs forever and I think I sometimes approach his training as if he had a mammal brain. He is beaky! He explores everything with his beak. He is super clingy when we are hanging out and climbs all over me. I can put him in (what I think) is an interesting place and he just runs over to me and climbs on to me, beaking whatever part of me and preening. I don't even know. He is happy. We both love the attention. I allow him to climb on to my shoulder. If he resists getting off my shoulder I take him back to the cage.

Is it ok to let your bird be beaky? He isnt hurting me. Sometimes I pet his beak when he's clung on to a sweatshirt and he seems to like it. Is it wrong to pet their beaks? He is a very very good boy and I can tell he was well loved before I got him. I don't think he's trying to dominate me, but who knows! I don't want to make him into a neurotic mess!

Thanks if you have any advice. He's a hilarious and smart little guy. I don't know if I'm being too permissive.

With my mac it's rare when she doesn't have her beak on me. She's either preening me or just holding onto my finger. It's perfectly normal. Most parrots explore with their beak.

Oh and I can put Zoe to sleep just by rubbing her beak. She loves it.

Thank you!
I'm so glad to hear that! Charlie just said "Who you talking to?" No joke. He's smart. Or I'm going crazy.
Do you have any tips on toys the little guys like? So far his only favorites are talking into bells or coffee cups. Basically anything that his voice reverberates in. He doesn't like his tear up toys.

I was so scared to hold the little guy when I first met him. We are now super comfy but I don't wanna mess him up. Is this what having a baby is like?

Every bird is different. Hopefully someone with a gcc will pipe in soon, but if he doesn't like to destroy maybe some plastic toys.

You are doing great! Am very happy for ya all! Good luck with the toys! My JoJo isn't a big toy bird either. I do have a very cheap ferris wheel toy that is a hit. I put a treat in one bucket and he turns it until he finds the treat- then proceeds to pull the whole thing apart! I also have a bucket full of plastic bottle caps, all sizes/colors, with a few treats mixed in. He pulls the caps out, digging thru the bucket.

Haha! The ferris wheel is one of the few Charlie likes too! It is useless for treats because he throws all the little carriages on the ground. Birds are so weird. He still loves playing with his broken ferris wheel.

Hello I have a little gcc named Rudy, I have had him almost 2 years now. He is m favorite of my parrots. He is a little clown! His favorite toy is thi little sneaker toy that has beads and shoe laces on it. He loves to chew on it and of course rip it apart. He also loves paper! That doesnt last long. And wood toys he loves those too. He also uses his beak in everything it is a parrot thing. I would suggest looking at a site called mysafebirdstore.com there are great toys for parrots of there. I buy most of mine from there.