My mother is neglecting this bird please help!

Ok first let me start by saying she isnt intentionally neglecting the bird, she is just one of those people who doesnt turn down anything free.. and a woman she works with bought this bird from a pet store (who doesnt know anything about any of their animals, this isnt the first story from there) She didnt have the time to care for this Sun Conure properly, so after roughly 3 years offered it to my mother.. it has now been ANOTHER 8 years.. This poor bird has no human time or roaming/play time.. the toys in the cage are the toys that came with the bird.. she has no hut and the list just keeps going on.. Ive tried desperately to explain to her that this is NOT how you care for this animal.. but needless to say she is one of those people you cannot tell her anything. I (cannot stand this bird but cannot sit back and let it be neglected) went to the pet store and bought it PROPER conure food (she buys the cheapest parrot food available) a cuttle bone which it has not had that I know of ever, and a calcium mineral toy... weeeellll apparently because of these things.. this bird that we thought was a male is in fact a female.. bc now she is laying eggs... she has laid 3 so far. Now I know a good bit about animals i might even brag to say I know ALOT about MOST animals.. but not everything.. The lady I spoke with at the feed store told me she to, had a sun conure and that they like huts and safe boxes to tear up.. so feeling bad for Jackie (the bird) I gave her a cardboard box for her egg. The first two hit the bottom of the cage and broke.. but luckily I caught my mother this morning before she left and took the third egg from her and gave it back to jackie to do as she pleases. My mother is dead set on taking these eggs to the scientists at her job for answers.. when I very clearly have told her whats going on. IDK what to do, how can I convince her that she needs to give this bird to someone who has time and know how OR what can I do? Id rather see her go to a good home bc I know my mother isnt going to listen/follow through.. Super sorry for the ridiculously long post.. im not a bird "enthusiast" but I AM an animal activist..

Firstly, welcome to the forums.

I suggest NOT providing this conure with any boxes and/or snuggle huts because this will only increase her 'nesting' behavior. The eggs she lays should be left alone. Let her sit on them for 4 weeks, or until she loses interest, then remove them.

Ideally after the eggs are removed, re-arrange the cage, so that hopefully she will snap out of being broody.

Good luck in trying to convince your mother that this bird deserves a more suitable home. (I agree with you - but your mother may not)

Lastly, please browse through our Hot Topics/FAQ section as it contains numerous invaluable information, including proper diet. Perhaps your mom would like to sign up with us and catch up on some of her reading??
http://www.parrotforums.com/new-members-welcome/52238-faq-hot-topics.html

Thank you, Sorry for just throwing this all out there lol im just going by what ive gathered from other forums here lately.. unforntunetly she isnt going to read or hear anything I have to say ive brought her reading material on conures and she pays them no mind.. she doesnt even attempt to pet the bird only feeds it and uncovers her. I gave her a box so that she could in fact nest her egg.. She had no other option but to let it fall to the floor. So even if she wanted to nest it she couldnt.. she has NO where to even sleep at night she just huddles in the corner and a tiny bell perch.. SIGH Im in the process of shopping for the things she needs to make a decent cage for her.. theres dog toys hanging in there for God sake sorry im ranting again... ill go check out some threads..

Even though your not a bird person, thank you for caring about this precious little bird.

Unfortunately, there's not a whole lot you can do, as in the eye of the law, your mom is not neglecting her (so long as she is being fed and cleaned). I think by providing her with some new toys and things to do, perhaps you mom will start to see her in a different light once she's more happy and active.

Do you live with your mom? If so, perhaps you could work with Jackie on building her trust and getting her out of her cage. If your mom SEES Jackie's potential as a companion (rather than just you telling her), she will make proactive steps to continue allowing her out of the cage every day or rehome her to someone who will. Best of luck and just keep on doing what you can.

Yes I live we her, but I am also a stay at home mother of 3 including a newborn. Im and actually the only person in the house that can mess with her (i think bc of my purple hair) she is very afraid of hands but will step onto my shoulder. but she likes to flock call in my ear and pick at my moles so carrying her around only lasts for a few mintues.. Really Id love to have the kind of bird some of these other members have with them being funny and cool, but I dont have he back up for proper training.. im slowly but surely trying to build her up a proper cage and diet. and she(mom) doesnt clean the cage.. Theres an array of issues with this bird along with the unstopable flock calling she only eats one seed from her food nd dumps the rest on the floor (ive learned they are top feeders so i only give her a tiny bit at a time but she will scream for more within 10 minutes after dumping it all) I thank you and anyone else who can help me out here. If she can become some waht tolerable to my ears and I can get my mom to see what it really takes to care for this bird maybe things will be ok...for now i will keep threading through threads for tips lol

You may find these threads helpful (from one of our most respected forum experts):

http://www.parrotforums.com/training/48649-screaming-behavior-mods.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/training/48648-socialization-game-pass-birdie.html

You may also find this section helpful for learning some recipes for her (birds who are switching from seed diets are generally more willing to eat something that looks like human food) and some general parrot nutrition information

Parrot Food, Recipes and Diet - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

Generally she only screams for food or to be covered.. BUT here we go with my mom again lol, she thinks the bird is simply talking, and thats what it does, it screams.. So consistancy is a HUGE hurdle for me in helping with this bird.. The more I read up on her the more I want to work with her, but she is very far gone.. Just now I went to talk to her and maybe give her some shoulder time.. I fed her some of her favorite seeds by hand (which is very rare) she took a few then threatened my hand... shes so used to someone just throwing food in her bowl sayin a word and leaving. or being covered. SIGH again.. sorry I keep just going off and throwing more and more out there lol turns out I kinda like this little knucklehead for some reason.. just the things she does hurts my ears or irritates me lol Ive been reading threads all morning and am hoping mom will either go buy the proper things or atleast give me the money to. For i have spent more money than I care to on an animal that isnt mine.. im even trying to figure out how im going to clean her cage (cuz she wont let me in nor come out) her cage is disgusting.. like I said im the only one that cares for her and shes a food dumper..