New to youngsters

My new 18 month Jenday does a head bob which I thought was a baby thing asking for food. Now I wonder if it’s hormonal. Anyone know? It also does this wing quiver thing. It looks sort of like it’s getting ready to fly but the quiver is different for me and it doesn’t try to fly. It does have clipped wings so I wonder if it wants to fly but is unsure. I’m hoping they will grow back soon, half of them have already.

I know you can’t tell the sex without DNA but the Internet says the average weight for these birds are 120 gm and above. This guy is only 100 gm, is he still growing, or just small? If just small is it fair to assume he/she is a male?

Thanks in advance for addressing my random questions.

Are you sure its 18 months old? Yes the wing flip and head bobbing is usually a baby thing... sometimes conures do it too when they've been stimulated (petting along the back or under wings, which is a no-no)

Are you sure he's a Jenday? You'd be surprised how often they are confused with Suns.

DNA tests are super cheap you can get them online, that way you know the gender for sure! IQ Bird testing does them for around $12, there's lots of other online places too you can get them done.

Hi, do you still have Pumpkin Patch?
I agree with Itzjbean, are you confident on age, as this seems like a newly weaned bird behavior. But it can be behavior to you like it's mate..
How long have you had the bird? What is the diet like? Was the bird weaned with abundance, or forced weaned? If you offered hand feeding would he take it? How's the birds activity, is he nimble able to jump from perch to perch and climb easy? Young birds have a learning curve on moving around the cage, so it's a minor way to maybe tell if much younger than 18 months, or did you mean weaks??

Hi Laurasea and itzjbean,

No I rehomed Pumpkin to someone that loves him. I just never could bond to that bird. My Pampa flew away and because of my ignorance in retrieving her she is gone. I am devastated. We came such a long ways together and I am surprised how much I missed her.

This is a totally healthy socialized bird. Can fly short distances, moves round cage, plays with toys, accepts food by hand. I have already conditioned him to a clicker and target trained. No tricks yet. Screeching less but that’s hard to gauge if it’s my training or the bird just settling in. He/she was rehomed because the difference from doing your research and the reality is vast. He screeched too much and the owner had two young children and couldn’t dedicate the time he needed. However he was handled and interacted with. I would prefer an older bird past puberty but this was such a nice bird and she wanted me to have it so she lowered the price. I had met this bird when when it was at Petco and was resisting getting it at that time. I was so happy when it sold. Anyway he is very much a mild mannered gentle baby with none of the adult cantankerous we come to expect and love.
Yes for sure I have a Jenday. I assume a commercial breeder because the original owner purchased from Petco May 2018. I haven’t looked that closely at the ankle band but it did say Jan so my assumption was a January 2018 hatch date making it 4 months old when purchased. Diet has been mostly seed and some veggies. I am in the process of changing diet. I have only had he/she (no name yet) for two weeks.

Ok good. So maybe just doing the behavior to beg for attention. My old girl Penny will crouch and wing flap when she wants me to come pick her up, or share food I'm eating.
I hope you and new bird are a great match a d bring each other much happiness! Can't wait to hear name you choose

Thank you laurasea. I thought the behavior seemed baby like but also figure it should be coming into puberty soon. I’m a little apprehensive about puberty, It’s a very sweet conure so maybe it will remain a smooth transition. So far he/she isn’t as noisy as a feared. The original owner felt it fed off her children’s energy making the screeching worse.

My Neptune is full on hormones. But is he is still sweet and cuddles to me. I never noticed any of my other parts going through puberty. So I don't think it always has to be a terrible time. I wish you much joy, it sounds like you two are making a great bond