My Little Familiar

Synctuarie

New member
Jul 21, 2016
4
0
Kingman, AZ
Parrots
Rio-7 month old green cheek conure
Aloha,

I adopted a baby green cheek conure a couple weeks ago. Little Rio is only seven months old. His previous guardian didn't have the time to devote as she originally thought, due to a few plot twists.

Rio is bold, inquisitive, affectionate, and brilliant. He dislikes cages and refuses to sleep anywhere else than with me, good thing I am a light sleeper. Believe me, I have tried several ways to convince him to sleep elsewhere.

I am eager to share stories and tips.

Mahalo,

Zarina Klarhet
(Rio's Minion)
 

Blancaej

New member
Apr 5, 2013
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Middlebury, VT
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CAG Quincy - BD 3/27/00. Gotcha 6/00 ~ GW Macaw Savannah - BD 6/21/93. Gotcha 4/13 ~ B&G Macaw Coqui - BD 9/3/03. Gotcha 10/13 ~ Blue Crown Conure Sidney - BD Unknown Approx 5 Years Old. Gotcha 6/15/
Hello and welcome! Rio sounds like a great little guy! We need to see some pics! ;) Is Rio your first bird?
 

Flboy

Well-known member
Dec 28, 2014
12,599
4,105
Greater Orlando area, Florida
Parrots
JoJo, 'Special' GCC, Bongo, Cinnamon GCC(wife's)
Hello and welcome! Please do not have your buddy in your bed while you sleep! For horror stories, go through our bereavement section.
 

Scott

Supporting Member
Aug 21, 2010
32,673
9,792
San Diego, California USA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Parrots
Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Welcome Zarina and Rio! Sounds like you have a wonderful friend who is very happy to be with you!

I must echo Flboy's admonition regarding sleeping with Rio. Accidents can and do happen with tragic consequences.

Do you know Rio's history with cages? Either he was never accustomed to the security it provides or he has bonded so closely with you. While closeness is wonderful and what we strive for, some boundaries are healthy. Colorful and varied toys inside the cage may attract Rio, as well as his primary food and treat source.
 
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Synctuarie

Synctuarie

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Jul 21, 2016
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Kingman, AZ
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Rio-7 month old green cheek conure
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Thank you for the replies of concern. Rio is not the first bird I have slept with. I am an extremely light sleeper and have raised abandoned wild nestlings successfully.

Rio is not my first bird companion. I have cared for canaries, budgies, and wild birds. Rio is my first conure. I love the bigger birds too, but know my limits.
 
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Synctuarie

Synctuarie

New member
Jul 21, 2016
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Kingman, AZ
Parrots
Rio-7 month old green cheek conure
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image.jpg

Little Rio bonding with me.
 

Scott

Supporting Member
Aug 21, 2010
32,673
9,792
San Diego, California USA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Parrots
Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Thank you for the replies of concern. Rio is not the first bird I have slept with. I am an extremely light sleeper and have raised abandoned wild nestlings successfully.

Rio is not my first bird companion. I have cared for canaries, budgies, and wild birds. Rio is my first conure. I love the bigger birds too, but know my limits.

View attachment 17197

Little Rio bonding with me.

What a beautiful picture of you and Rio! Looks like a very sweet and attentive bird!
 

Flboy

Well-known member
Dec 28, 2014
12,599
4,105
Greater Orlando area, Florida
Parrots
JoJo, 'Special' GCC, Bongo, Cinnamon GCC(wife's)
Thank you for the replies of concern. Rio is not the first bird I have slept with.

Please, please don't take offense, not sure if you have noticed a particularly concerning GCC, they love to tunnel! That is the danger! My JoJo, right now we are hanging out on my bed. When she gets bored, she will get off my head and start burrowing under my pillow. My couches are covered with quilts(dogs) and JoJo loves pulling up a corner and go on a quest! Put your baby in a partially open drawer and watch her reaction, pure nirvana!

I apologize upfront for reposting this, it really was very painful!
http://www.parrotforums.com/bereavement/53738-i-miss-you-my-little-goofball.html
 
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smbrds

Well-known member
May 17, 2016
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Central Florida
Parrots
Normal (or not so!) Grey Cockatiel
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for adopting. GCCs are terrific birds. They are a conure I considered getting a long time ago and loved my interaction with one.

Sweet photo of you and little Rio. I also echo try getting a sleeping cage. There are many who do have their birds roam freely and safely. The cage can be a place of comfort and a source of home, safety and sources of food and water.
 
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Synctuarie

Synctuarie

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Jul 21, 2016
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Kingman, AZ
Parrots
Rio-7 month old green cheek conure
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Again, thank you for the concern. Due to Fibromyalgia, I am a light sleeper. Every movement Little Rio makes while I am resting wakes me up, so even when he is trying to burrow deeper I can feel everything. I have been able to convince him to sleep by himself finally, by putting a stiff triangle bird tent on a top shelf. Little Rio hates cages, so I minimize cage time unless I really need to go places like a doctor appointment or the market. I plan on rearranging my space so Little Rio's "bed" is near enough he can just hop over for snuggles in the morning while I am trying to wake up in Winter.
 

Tsali

New member
Jul 22, 2016
313
10
Parrots
Tsali - African Grey- I am a one parrot parent. It's a full time job keeping Tsali healthy and happy.
Zarina, a huge warm welcome to you and Rio. So glad you joined our Parrot Forums family. Little Rio is adorable.

I agree with the other posters that it would be better for Rio to sleep in his own sleeping quarters (his cage). It's like weaning a child to sleeping in his/her own bedroom - it helps them to develop as an individual.

Being a Parront can be hard at times - tough love can be heart-wrenching during the moment, but the end results are a more well rounded, better adjusted birdie.
 

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