Help! Our conure dislikes being touched!

mingus24 · Mar 10, 2011

I just bought a 8 week old yellow-sided green cheek conure a little over a week ago from a wonderful breeder. He (or she) is very beautiful, healthy, and easy to train, but hates being touched. Every time my husband or I try to pet him, he starts chirping and tries to get away. He will then start nipping at our fingers. I should state that he is not aggressive at all, but just seems to dislike when we touch him. He flies to us when we have a treat for him, and can already do step up, but he just does not seem that interested in us, and is definitely not cuddly at all! We were hoping he would like to be pet, lay on his back, and be affectionate, but he really shows no interest in being touched at all.

What I would like to know is, will this behavior change? Could there be some reason for it? Is it a matter of time or training, or are some conures just not affectionate?

Please help! We are worried that we are stuck with a bird that shows little interest in us!

gopack041 · Mar 10, 2011

Be patient. You've only had him for about a week, so he's still unsure about everything. Go slow and keep rewarding him when he begins to open up. It sounds like you're lucky you haven't been bit more than you could have been.

I've had my GCC for about 3 months and have noticed that there are times when he just doesn't want to be petted. It takes time to learn your bird's body language. Once he trusts you and you can read his behavior, petting will be a fun time for the both of you.

Please don't think you're stuck with an unaffectionate bird. Put yourself in his feathers and realize that this is all new to him.

p.s. Time and food are the best ways to gain a bird's trust.

erik7181 · Mar 10, 2011

Honestly, it takes a while for them to warm up, when you take him/her out of the cage keep them with you hold them in your hand and calm them, talk to them pet them kiss them, once they struggle a lot let them go, its building trust. thats how i did it anyway you just need to handle them.

Kokihi · Mar 11, 2011

I've had Tori for quite a while, and he only likes scratches on the head sometimes. He usually lets me rub my cheek on his back when hes on my shoulder, and only once has he snuggled up to my neck when he was with me.

Just be patient, and when he/she does let you pet him/her praise him/her and maybe a treat could be in order as well.

Phetaroi · Mar 11, 2011

mingus24 said:
I just bought a 8 week old yellow-sided green cheek conure a little over a week ago from a wonderful breeder. He (or she) is very beautiful, healthy, and easy to train, but hates being touched. Every time my husband or I try to pet him, he starts chirping and tries to get away. He will then start nipping at our fingers. I should state that he is not aggressive at all, but just seems to dislike when we touch him. He flies to us when we have a treat for him, and can already do step up, but he just does not seem that interested in us, and is definitely not cuddly at all! We were hoping he would like to be pet, lay on his back, and be affectionate, but he really shows no interest in being touched at all.

What I would like to know is, will this behavior change? Could there be some reason for it? Is it a matter of time or training, or are some conures just not affectionate?

Please help! We are worried that we are stuck with a bird that shows little interest in us!

I just bought a yellow-sided conure myself about 5 months ago. At first he wanted nothing to do with me. Then after about 10 days he was more receptive, and now is a velcro bird (so to speak). He likes to be petted most of the time, and even gets into his own little wrestling/play mood where he wants to be tickled and play-bites. I have to remind him sometimes to "be gentle", which he has clearly come to understand.

So I think there's a balance between giving them some space, but being a bit persistent about the touching thing.

Spiritbird · Mar 11, 2011

It may be that the breeder or the handfeeder did not touch the bird much. My Rosie, when young, did not like being touched (I do not pet). I incorporated being touched as part of her training. The way I did this was to slowly say the word touch and gently touch either her feet or her head. She did get used to it but I still say touch or want tickle just before touching her.

hawaiian05 · Mar 12, 2011

Like the others have said, it's been such short time so far. I've had my gcc for about a month and I'm starting to read her body language, which is VERY important. There are times when she'll let me pet her, and other times where I'll try and she'll just move away and try to nip at me.
I'm sure it'll take more time and bonding for him to trust you as his owner. And if worst comes to worst and he just doesn't like being pet, that's just his personality. I'm sure you'll find other unique things about him that you'll absolutely learn to love.

mingus24 · Mar 12, 2011

Hello everyone. I just wanted to thank you all for your very helpful and encouraging comments. I think my husband and I are probably just being a little impatient and we need to accept that the bonding process will take a bit more time. Also, I do not think that the breeder spent too much individual time with him giving him affection, so while he is not aggressive, he might not be used to being touched or cuddled.

I will keep you posted on our progress. Thanks again!

Pedro · Mar 12, 2011

Green Cheeks are little birds with huge attitude. Once you get beyond that they are truly endearing little bundles of feathers. I have a little hen that barely gets handled & i can pick her up & she has never bitten me.

I wonder if new birds owners are actually shown the correct way to connect with your bird at the point of purchase. It doesn't matter what i sell a budgie to a Red Tail Black Cockatoo I make sure the new owner is comfortable handling their new baby. I show them what to do & what not to do. I read here over & over the same questions & i can't believe so many are having the same troubles.

All my babies & most of my companion parrots will allow me to lay them on their backs & they will just stay there. My Hahn's, all my conures & a few of the eclectus even a couple of the girls. You get to know the ones that really trust you by what you can do with them.

candigrauvogel@yahoo.com · Mar 15, 2011

i need help also!! I have a four month old green cheek conure. He/she doesnt like to be petted also. She comes after your fingers or hand when you put it on what she is sitting on. She has bitten myself and my husband. I need advice.!!!
Thank You,
Candi Grauvogel

Kokihi · Mar 19, 2011

Pedro said:
Green Cheeks are little birds with huge attitude. Once you get beyond that they are truly endearing little bundles of feathers. I have a little hen that barely gets handled & i can pick her up & she has never bitten me.

I wonder if new birds owners are actually shown the correct way to connect with your bird at the point of purchase. It doesn't matter what i sell a budgie to a Red Tail Black Cockatoo I make sure the new owner is comfortable handling their new baby. I show them what to do & what not to do. I read here over & over the same questions & i can't believe so many are having the same troubles.

All my babies & most of my companion parrots will allow me to lay them on their backs & they will just stay there. My Hahn's, all my conures & a few of the eclectus even a couple of the girls. You get to know the ones that really trust you by what you can do with them.

Your first statement could not be more true.

Help! Our conure dislikes being touched!

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