Time management

Hey everybody!! I'm new here, and I have a question.

So I've owned my conure, Maxxie, for about 3 months I want to say, and being a senior in highschool, I'm wondering if there are any ways y'all out figured out a way to have your bird out will you while you are working, or doing homework lol, in a way that is enriching for him/her but still productive for you.
like I want to teach him how to play independently so he isn't always in my business all the time haha (like attacking my pencils or terrorizing the keyboard I'm typing this post on lol:25
this might not sound like that big of a deal, but I really want to give Maxxie a great time because my family and I are out a lot and recently I've started feeling really bad that he is just in his cage all day (I turned on a radio for him and opened up blinds near a window so he can see interesting things outside), so ya, anything would be great!! also would you guys recommend me setting up a computer near him for "tv" during the day, or would that be too stressful for him??

You can encourage foraging activities and work on trick training him to mentally stimulate him!

As far as I know, birds hate it when you don't pay attention to them and will try everything they can to get you to stop being productive lol! Encouraging your bird to play with toys or feeding them a special treat while you work may help.

Hi there and welcome to the forum!

I am a university student with 3 birds so I totally understand. I keep all three of my birds out of their cages during the day, unless I am at uni or out of the house for some reason. When I am out, I like to either put on music, or the radio for them (like you). I've never seen the need to put on a tv for them to watch, so I'm sure someone else can offer better advice for that. They have plenty of interesting toys to explore, and I make sure to rearrange them fairly frequently and rotate them with new toys whenever I buy any. I'll second Monica's suggestion for foraging activities and toys - it can really keep your bird entertained and excited!

When I am studying, they do still sometimes try to come and interact with whatever I am doing with my hands (whether that is writing or typing), but I've found a few things that help. Their play pens/stands (I have 2) are set up right next to my desk (and right next to a window), and they have toys, food and water available there. I give them their fruits and veggies there, which they love, and with so much entertainment in one place, they like to return there even when they fly to different parts of the room. I also keep a couple of bird toys on the left hand side of my desk, nearest to their play-stand, so that if they come onto my desk I can direct them to something they can play with. This tray includes ribbons, little balls, and a couple other kinds of toys. I'm also okay with them sitting on my shoulder, which my 'tiel is pretty fond of doing while I work.

While they are a bit noisy, I have adapted really well to working with them in the room. If you find yourself really bothered by the noise and it affects your concentration, you can wear ear plugs or ear phones.

I hope this helps in some way.

Just enjoy it.......in a few weeks or months he/she will be totally content just sitting on you and you'll miss it....if it's that big a problem...get some desk toys that more more interesting that you can work around, such as:

I work from home and generally Yoda hangs out with me at my desk while I work. Below is a picture of the toys I keep handy for him and his perch. About half of the time he just sits on my shoulder preening or sleeping, which makes it very easy to work of course. The other half of the time he wants to play or chew on me/my mouse/my keys/anything I am touching. At those times I try to play with him one handed with his assortment of portable toys. Sometimes if I just take a short break to play kickball with him and his ball toy I can tire him out enough so that he'll nap on my shoulder and let me work. But, alas, sometimes I do have to just put him in his cage while I am on a conference call or if he's just too unruly. In those cases I will move my laptop to the table by his cage (or move his cage near my desk) if I can, maybe with his door open so he can crawl around on top of the cage.

For dinner and after dinner/before his bedtime, he eats his dinner on his playgym on the coffee table near the family, then he hangs out on one of us during TV-time.

In this way he spends most of his waking hours with me or my husband, and we share him between us if one of us needs to get something done. I don't know if any of this will help you, but maybe you can find a way to work him into your daily life and hopefully share his company with the rest of your family.

Good luck!

Way cool portable play stand!

Thanks! My husband made the little one himself, using the dimensions of the one we bought. It's nice having that playstand that folds up all nice and convenient. It's also nice and easy to lay paper in it which makes it easier to keep clean. We use a little paper plate (I just cut notches into each side to fit the posts) and that does a great job of catching all his droppings, feather-bits and treat-shrapnel so my desk stays pretty clean.

thanks so much everyone!! I'll give these all a go.