New Red Throat Conure

MrParrot · Oct 3, 2012

Hi all,

Just got given a bird from my aunty who basically wasn't able to look after him, (kept him in the office with a stereo on most days) so we've looked online and think he's a Red Throat Conure.

Not sure of his age, but thought I'd register here to get some hints and tips for him

Thanks

Stu

MonicaMc · Oct 3, 2012

Do you have photos of him? Red throats are not very common, but it's nice to see a few others out there!

Gratz on bringing him home! I suppose you probably have a lot to learn about cage size, diet and enrichment!

Rana · Oct 3, 2012

congrats on your new bird! looking forward to seeing some pictures

wenz2712 · Oct 3, 2012

Welcome to the forum and look forward to pics of him

MrParrot · Oct 3, 2012

Well we think he is, he's a mixture of yellow and green with a distinctive red mark at his neck. Looked on Google and seemed to match.

I'll get some photos tomorrow as we've put a cover over him now to get him in a routine of beddy boos at 9

We've the cage and all the goodies, but my Aunty and Uncle put them all in quick so feel that the branches etc may not all be in good places for him.

Thanks

Stu

MrParrot · Oct 4, 2012

Say hello to Chief

MonicaMc · Oct 4, 2012

Not a conure! That is, not a South American species! In fact, he's a barraband! Also known as a Superb Parrot, and he's an Australian species!

You had me concerned when you mentioned yellow feathers, but he appears mostly normal! (yellow feathers are typical for superbs). Color still appears a little "off" for the species.

I don't know what they are like as pets, but I know that they'd probably be fine on a diet for cockatiels or small conures... albeit probably a little heavier on the seed rather than pellets.

He would probably benefit from some foraging activities! Bet he'd love some sprouts or some wheat grass! (he just looks like one of those species that would love to forage!)

Rana · Oct 4, 2012

Hi! i wouldn't know for sure but i think monica is right

here's some information on barabands that may be useful to you. Enjoy your feathered friend!

Barraband's Parakeet - Superb parrot - breeding - pet

aliray · Oct 4, 2012

What a beautiful parrot. congrats on your new birdy and welcome to the forum

MrParrot · Oct 4, 2012

Cheers guys, asked my uncle and that's confirmed what you have told me!

He's a little nipper though, how do we stop this? Just a case of feeding him by hand a while and then move on etc

Uncle said he went for everyone except one of his sons, so hopefully I get him up to the stage of going to me.

Few questions:

What's the best layout for his cage?
He bites his cage while licking the bar, what's this mean?
He often opens his wings as he goes to bite my dad, this real aggression?

Just hoping to give him four/five days in his cage at our house, then I'll look to slowly get him used to having the roof of the cage open and go from there?

Thanks again, he's got cracking colours and is a right poser as he loves cleaning himself!!

Stu

MonicaMc · Oct 5, 2012

What's the best layout for his cage?
You'll want perches at various levels of the cage and of different textures and sizes. A few different toys... dishes. Not recommended to put dishes beneath any place he may sit.

He bites his cage while licking the bar, what's this mean?
Could be an odd behavior he picked up. Is he chipping the bars any?

He often opens his wings as he goes to bite my dad, this real aggression?
Without seeing the behavior better, it's hard to say. I define aggression as a bird going out of their way to attack another person. I describe fear as a 'last resort' kind of thing where the bird realizes they can't escape and will bite to try and keep what scares them away and from harming them.

Unless you have a way to secure the cage top open, I would recommend securing it closed instead.

Have you tried feeding him millet by hand? Or his favorite food/snacks?

MonicaMc · Oct 5, 2012

Don't know much about this species, but just looked up in the Encyclopedia of Parakeets and it mentions that fruit and berries, particularly elderberries are very popular with this species... and during the breeding season, aunt pupae and mealworms are accepted... so he may have a special diet compared to other species.

MrParrot · Oct 5, 2012

Hi,

Thanks for you reply, it's really odd he kinda opens his beak (which is sharp and pointed) and runs it along the bar back and forth.

Biting wise he can happily take sunflower seeds from my hand through the bar, but then he can be really aggressive with his mouth fully open ready to strike.

Hopefully a few weeks giving him the seeds and getting some more treats and organising his cage might help him trust me, I heard they like foraging so was thinking maybe putting some largish tree barks for him on the floor to jump around.

Really wanna get him a happy bird, he makes a lot of noises if i'm feeding him and stop or leave the room so feel that's a good start.

Thanks again

Pookamama · Oct 5, 2012

Sounds like you are on a great track! Just take it good and slow! I really recommended the book the Guide to a Well-Behaved Parrot. It has wonderful suggestions for bonding with untame birds.

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