HELP! Family About to Give up on Bird!

PetiteBird

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Aug 28, 2015
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My mother has two Green Cheek Conures. One is very friendly and loves attention and the other is a recently rescued bird (couple weeks now) and it very moody.

Lunar is the bird's name.

My mother had no problem hand taming Charlie (the other conure) but Lunar is very back and forth and unpredictable.

He/She will allow you to pet him, close their eyes, be content and then in the next second whip around and bite the same hand that is currently petting them. It's very unpredictable and we can never tell when he/she is going to bite. The family before use said that Lunar was friendly but suddenly "turned" mean, biting and only allowing one person to interact with them.

Lunar will not allow us to pick her/him up, will not step up, bites very hard (making my mom bleed this morning) and she's at her breaking point apparently and is about to find the bird another home.

Does anyone know any tips on how to stop unpredictable biting? It will be in the same moment that the bird goes from happy to biting before happy again. It's a vicious cycle that can repeat itself multiple times in a matter of seconds really, and that's without exaggeration.

I don't want to see this bird to another home that will likely give up on him/her too and the bird wind up in a horrible cycle of rehoming until either let loose or sent to a rescue.

EDIT: The bird is only about 2-3 years old and lived with the same family until we go him. I know bird who get rehomed often get meaner and I don't want that to happen. I used to term 'rescue' too loosely I suppose. He/She was taken by us from their previous owner because they no longer could handle it and we didnt want it to be set loose or something. I understand a couple weeks is not a lot of time but this is the behaviour the bird had as well before we got them and I'm looking for tips that can help so my mom doesn't rehome them.
 
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Skittys_Daddy

Well-known member
Jan 6, 2014
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63
Lewiston, Maine
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Neotropical Pigeon - "Skittles" (born 3/29/10)
Cockatiel - "Peaches" (1995-2015) R.I.P.
Budgie - "Sammy"
(1989-2000) R.I.P.
Budgie - "Sandy"
(1987-1989) R.I.P.
Here's the thing. The more you rehome a bird, the hard it is going to be to tame/train that bird. They will become accustomed to not have a 'secure' home and therefore become very difficult, but not impossible, to handle.

It seems to me that you haven't had the bird for very long. A couple of weeks is not a whole lot of time. Maybe the bird needs more time to acclimate and adjust. Especially, rescue birds. If a bird has been re-homed every 30 days, then chances are for at least 30 days that bird is going to be on defense. They need to feel secure and safe.
 

chris-md

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Feb 6, 2010
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Maryland - USA
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Parker - male Eclectus

Aphrodite - red throated conure (RIP)
I can only agree with part of what was said above. Re-homing unto itself does not create an untamed bird; it's how the new owners treat and enrich the bird, or not as the case may be. I am my Parkers third home, and he's only six years old. he has been nothing but a dream, very well behaved for the most part. Rehoming certainly did not make him difficult to deal with. As a matter of fact he was up on my shoulder day one

I do agree a couple weeks is not really enough time. however it takes a certain level of patience, understanding, And commitment to be able to deal with the birds that requires so much work. If you're not up for the challenge, then the rehoming the bird to someone who is is the most humane thing you can do
 

Skittys_Daddy

Well-known member
Jan 6, 2014
2,172
63
Lewiston, Maine
Parrots
Neotropical Pigeon - "Skittles" (born 3/29/10)
Cockatiel - "Peaches" (1995-2015) R.I.P.
Budgie - "Sammy"
(1989-2000) R.I.P.
Budgie - "Sandy"
(1987-1989) R.I.P.
I can only agree with part of what was said above. Re-homing unto itself does not create an untamed bird; it's how the new owners treat and enrich the bird, or not as the case may be. I am my Parkers third home, and he's only six years old. he has been nothing but a dream, very well behaved for the most part. Rehoming certainly did not make him difficult to deal with. As a matter of fact he was up on my shoulder day one

I do agree a couple weeks is not really enough time. however it takes a certain level of patience, understanding, And commitment to be able to deal with the birds that requires so much work. If you're not up for the challenge, then the rehoming the bird to someone who is is the most humane thing you can do

I think you pretty much nailed it. Much better than mine.
 

Nakiska

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May 30, 2011
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Washington
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4 Cockatiels 2 males Chicken Little & Charlie, 2 Females Chiquita and Sweet pea. Yellow Sided Green Cheek Conure -Franklin and our now tame, rescued feral Pigeon - Belle.
Hello there,

I am going to jump out on a limb and ask if this conure may be molting and happens to have a lot of newly developing pin feathers on his head?

The ONLY time my Franklin (gcc) acts exactly as you described is if I'm giving him scritches during molting and hit a sensitive pin feather...then he will squawk and lash out. He doesn't usually bite anymore, but his squawk and sudden lunge for your finger will certainly make you startle and jump...especially when everything is soo calm and relaxing the split second before. Then just as quickly he will have his head ducked down wanting more scritching.

Conures can be very challenging little guys, I know...I have 2 :D I love 'em dearly!

I say don't give up just yet, this relationship is still soo new to both the human and the conure. Maybe back off on the scritching part and just let him/her hang out and share snacks.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

Toni
 

Birdman666

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Sep 18, 2013
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258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
My mother has two Green Cheek Conures. One is very friendly and loves attention and the other is a recently rescued bird (couple weeks now) and it very moody.

Lunar is the bird's name.

My mother had no problem hand taming Charlie (the other conure) but Lunar is very back and forth and unpredictable.

He/She will allow you to pet him, close their eyes, be content and then in the next second whip around and bite the same hand that is currently petting them. It's very unpredictable and we can never tell when he/she is going to bite. The family before use said that Lunar was friendly but suddenly "turned" mean, biting and only allowing one person to interact with them.

PAIR BOND BIRD. OVERBONDING... HELLO! HE DIDN'T SUDDENLY TURN MEAN. HE BECAME OVERBONDED TO ONE PERSON, AND BEGAN ATTACKING EVERYONE ELSE... THEY DIDN'T PUT A STOP TO IT, SO NOW IT'S EVEN WORSE. CONURE SPOILED BIRD SYNDROME.

Lunar will not allow us to pick her/him up, will not step up, bites very hard (making my mom bleed this morning) and she's at her breaking point apparently and is about to find the bird another home.

CONURE SPOILED BIRD SYNDROME. IT WILL CONTINUE UNTIL SOMEONE PUTS A STOP TO IT. MR. TOWEL WILL PUT A STOP TO THAT NONSENSE RIGHT QUICK. WRAP HIM IN A TOWEL, PICK HIS BUTT UP, FLIP HIM OVER ON HIS BACK, AND USE TwO FINGERS ON THE BEAK TO PREVENT HIM FROM BITING...

THAT'S HEY BIRD, I'M SICK OF YOU'RE B.S. AND I'M GOING TO PUT A STOP TO IT. WE'LL KEEP THIS UP UNTIL YOU DECIDE TO MELLOW OUT...

THEN, GO BACK TO BASICS, STEP UP, TOUCH TRAINING, NO BITE TRAINING. THEN INCREASE SOCIALIZATION AROUND OTHER PEOPLE.

Does anyone know any tips on how to stop unpredictable biting? It will be in the same moment that the bird goes from happy to biting before happy again. It's a vicious cycle that can repeat itself multiple times in a matter of seconds really, and that's without exaggeration.

FOLLOW THE ABOVE.

A CONURE IS BASICALLY A SHRUNKEN MACAW. THEY DO HAVE ATTITUDE, AND THEY WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE IF BOUNDARIES AREN'T ESTABLISHED.

YOU NEED TO ESTABLISH THE BOUNDARIES WITH THESE BIRDS.

(But don't go by me. I've never done this before! :D)
 
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Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
hello there,

i am going to jump out on a limb and ask if this conure may be molting and happens to have a lot of newly developing pin feathers on his head?

The only time my franklin (gcc) acts exactly as you described is if i'm giving him scritches during molting and hit a sensitive pin feather...then he will squawk and lash out. He doesn't usually bite anymore, but his squawk and sudden lunge for your finger will certainly make you startle and jump...especially when everything is soo calm and relaxing the split second before. Then just as quickly he will have his head ducked down wanting more scritching.

you're basing that on your bird's behavior, and your bird is well behaved. May not be applicable to this situation.

With a normal conure this is entirely correct. The key here is overbonding issues, and uncorrected tantrum throwing at the previous household. Those are dead give aways...
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
I can only agree with part of what was said above. Re-homing unto itself does not create an untamed bird; it's how the new owners treat and enrich the bird, or not as the case may be. I am my Parkers third home, and he's only six years old. he has been nothing but a dream, very well behaved for the most part. Rehoming certainly did not make him difficult to deal with. As a matter of fact he was up on my shoulder day one

I do agree a couple weeks is not really enough time. however it takes a certain level of patience, understanding, And commitment to be able to deal with the birds that requires so much work. If you're not up for the challenge, then the rehoming the bird to someone who is is the most humane thing you can do

Agreed.

The behavior continues until the bird receives the proper training it needs.

Lila was rehomed five previous times before I got her, and she's a sweet, happy go lucky bird.
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
here's the thing. The more you rehome a bird, the hard it is going to be to tame/train that bird. They will become accustomed to not have a 'secure' home and therefore become very difficult, but not impossible, to handle.

It seems to me that you haven't had the bird for very long. A couple of weeks is not a whole lot of time. Maybe the bird needs more time to acclimate and adjust. Especially, rescue birds. If a bird has been re-homed every 30 days, then chances are for at least 30 days that bird is going to be on defense. They need to feel secure and safe.

sorry, but i disagree. This bird just needs an attitude adjustment.
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Oh, wait... I have done this before...

These two were quite evil when I got them. They were a bonded pair, and they did not care the slightest for humans... we do as we bloody well please. As I recall they had "eviled" their way out of four prior homes...



Of course, I can't take all the credit. My "mother hen bird" got in their little faces when they got too far out of line. My flock structure is such that the other birds enforce it... So this one helped considerably!



But with a couple of months of consistent boundary setting, and some advanced training, they became very good birds.







 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
This one in particular once put his beak CLEAN THROUGH my finger - LENGTH WISE, TIP OF THE BEAK STICKING OUT THE OTHER END...

Trust me... Rehome?! NAH. FIRE UP THE BBQ! WE'RE HAVING US A CONURE COOK-OFF... ! WHERE'S THAT HONEY BBQ GLAZE. And a skewer. Guess where the skewer is going bird!



So, trust me, been there, done that. I get it.

It only gets better with consistency and discipline.
 
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Skittys_Daddy

Well-known member
Jan 6, 2014
2,172
63
Lewiston, Maine
Parrots
Neotropical Pigeon - "Skittles" (born 3/29/10)
Cockatiel - "Peaches" (1995-2015) R.I.P.
Budgie - "Sammy"
(1989-2000) R.I.P.
Budgie - "Sandy"
(1987-1989) R.I.P.
I can say this. Skittles was a nightmare when I first got him. Yes, he was sweet, hand tamed and cuddly. BUT, he would raise hell when he didn't get his way. Not knowing much, I accommodated him and things just got worse. Thankfully, a friend pointed out to me that I was 'spoiling him' and he was reacting to that. She was right.

It took me a LOT of time and patience, but now he is very well behaved. It's also not just about setting limits and boundaries - it's about KEEPING them. It's a neverending process. It's not one of those "okay, he knows now, so that's it". I cannot stress enough how important consistency is when setting limits and boundaries.
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
i can say this. Skittles was a nightmare when i first got him. Yes, he was sweet, hand tamed and cuddly. But, he would raise hell when he didn't get his way. Not knowing much, i accommodated him and things just got worse. Thankfully, a friend pointed out to me that i was 'spoiling him' and he was reacting to that. She was right.

It took me a lot of time and patience, but now he is very well behaved. It's also not just about setting limits and boundaries - it's about keeping them. It's a neverending process. It's not one of those "okay, he knows now, so that's it". I cannot stress enough how important consistency is when setting limits and boundaries.

Yep! Conure spoiled bird syndrome is no joke... they can be quite persistent little buggers.

Sennies are not far behind them... when you let the 'tude get out of hand.

The only things that are worse are the "overgrown" conures with spoiled bird syndrome... (Big Macs, of course. Ever seen a greenwing chase a grown man around the room with intent to maim?! YIKES! Here's a clue: Don't run.)

And of course, nothing in the world is worse than spoiled too syndrome... That's it's own form of living hell!

Do not hold the dang too all day long!!!
 
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LoveMyConlan

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Mar 31, 2015
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Gcc- Conlan... Sun Conure- Mouse...Jenday- Kellan... RLA- Happy...B&G Macaw- Rhage
My GCC was not very friendly when I got her from a pet shop. She would do nothing but bite me every time I even went near the cage if she could. She would be sweet one moment then drawing blood the next. I almost took her back but a friend showed me how to stop the nasty behavior with 'time out' and allowing her to bite me to show hey I want afraid. It took about 2 months before I got any kind of consistent behavior. She's still super cage aggressive but she has gotten better.
It does take time and patience but hopefully once she sees that she has a home that will love her and not give her up she will calm. Best of luck :)
 

LoveMyConlan

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Mar 31, 2015
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Gcc- Conlan... Sun Conure- Mouse...Jenday- Kellan... RLA- Happy...B&G Macaw- Rhage
I noticed, as well, Conures tend to have 'little dog' syndrome haha. They think they are bigger and badder than you. Someone once said having a bird is like having a 2 year old human child with ADHD and a knife lol.
 
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PetiteBird

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Thank you for all of your comments. We are certainly trying.

My father can pick the bird up no problem with minimum to no biting and said that once Lunar was out of the cage he/she was as friendly and happy as can be. There could be some cage aggression going on but I also think Lunar isn't very fond of females. We were told the only person who Lunar let touch them before was a guy as well.

We'll just have to wait and see what happens. It can be very frustrating when it seems that you're not getting any progress with something.

I think my father needs to take Lunar out of the cage and have my mom and me interact with Lunar in that way (and clip some wings so he/she can't fly around the house like a crazy thing). I feel that Lunar may also feel trapped or territorial of their cage, especially to women and that he/she needs some time to turn around what he/she may have against them.

My mother is fairly stubborn so hopefully she doesn't give up anytime soon.
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Thank you for all of your comments. We are certainly trying.

My father can pick the bird up no problem with minimum to no biting and said that once Lunar was out of the cage he/she was as friendly and happy as can be. There could be some cage aggression going on but I also think Lunar isn't very fond of females. We were told the only person who Lunar let touch them before was a guy as well.

We'll just have to wait and see what happens. It can be very frustrating when it seems that you're not getting any progress with something.

I think my father needs to take Lunar out of the cage and have my mom and me interact with Lunar in that way (and clip some wings so he/she can't fly around the house like a crazy thing). I feel that Lunar may also feel trapped or territorial of their cage, especially to women and that he/she needs some time to turn around what he/she may have against them.

My mother is fairly stubborn so hopefully she doesn't give up anytime soon.

I did a disfavored person behavior mod post. This one is posted. And it does work.

Stubborn is less required, than consistent.
 

ZephyrFly

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Pazu - Green Cheek Conure - Hatch Date ~27 September 2014~
Birdman laying down the law there!
Instead of biting for me I've got a ggc coming up to being 1 year old (probably some hormones kicking in) deciding he want to chew hands, specifically the bits that connect between the fingers. I'm happy its just chewing (occasional too hard chew) but persistent is an understatement, put him down and he comes running back to latch onto a hand to "chew the fat" (if anyone knows the saying).

For the OP, sounds like your dad will need to be involved with training for awhile, if your bird likes him more then he'll likely have the best impact to train him and get him to socialize with others. I may be wrong and I am eagerly waiting to see if Birdman lays down anymore words of wisdom :D
 

Kyoto

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Kyoto (AKA Kyo)-Green Cheek Conure
Charlie - Canary
Tommy - Budgie
Sunny - budgie
This is conure ownership. My Kyo is like this all the time, and it's taking work to turn it around. Bite pressure training and consistency. No regrets for me, she can be a pain sometimes but for the adorable snuggly moments I get as well it makes it all worth the bites.
 

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