Day 2 Proud Sun Conure Owner

Hi. I have a 6 month old Sun. The Local small town pet store I got him from always got him out of his cage with a towel. I have searched all over the internet and cannot get any information about the best way to get a young Sun Conure out of the cage. I have him in the corner of my nicley sized kitchen (he's in the office area) so he could be around us. Everytime I dry my hands on a towel or touch one he screams at me until I put it down. I don't want to perpetuate this fear so are there other ways to get him out of his cage instead of forcing him? He has a cage that the top opens to put a perch. I thought about seeing if he'd get up there on his own then step up on my finger, but I dont think he knows how to step up. But we are still new to each other. I know it takes time and patience that I am willing and able give. He is our only pet. I just don't want to be doing things wrong.

Hi! Welcome to the forum!

I have a 5month old Sunny so I know where you are with this lol. I got Cal 2 months ago.

All I can say at this stage if you want me to be honest....you're moving a tad quickly lol. Sunny's live for 20-30 years so trying to have him out via force on day 2 really isn't needed!! The shop owner has done a little damage by using a towel but if you carry on using towels as you normally do and not to touch him with at all until he trusts you (even only then to keep warm after a bath or a vet visit and such like). He should get the idea that the towel is no danger to him at all.

If you must have him out, leave the cage door open for him to come and explore. You need to of course parrot proof the room with no bare windows/mirrors/electrical cords/any danger of an outside door being opened etc. The only snag is getting him back home though. Usually a light weight towel is the answer in this case though, that'd be horrendous so I really would suggest you let him get more comfortable in his new surroundings first.

Start with sitting by his cage and just talking and going about your daily business. Don't attempt to touch - you need to let him know you're the good guy!

Read him books/sing to the radio/think aloud ANYTHING. Constant chatter is the key! You can try feeding him through the cage with treats but don't be surprised if he runs off.

Make sure he has 12 hrs undisturbed sleep in the dark of a night time.

Just take things slowly and buy a book. Parrots for Dummies is amazing but I love my conure book too which is The Conure Handbook by Anne C watkins. It will give you invaluble guidelines and teach you of all the dangerous foods, do's, don'ts and every day dangers like metal poisoning, teflon(non stick cookware for example) and the pro's and con's of wing clipping if you decide to.

The biggest piece of advice I could give you is to listen to your bird. They aren't like dogs or cats, everything has to be on their terms. Gain trust and be ready with the bandages because they can bite you VERY hard lol. Cal used to jump on my hand and bite me when we first tried step up. Only when she wasn't scared of me and trusted me could I teach her biting isn't acceptable.

I hope I explained that ok!

All I can tell you now is that I got her from an aviary 7/8 weeks ago yesterday (my time flies) and she'd only every been touched by humans twice. Once by the vet and the other when she went in the carry case to come home.

With the help of the AMAZING people on this forum, me calming down and realising there's no rush and LISTENING to Cal she is now a velcro bird who would happily be on me or my husband all day if it was possible. It takes time and patience, but when it happens it's so very magical - I cried buckets the first time she made voluntary contact. She's a brilliant, amazing girl but we had to EARN the privilege of knowing that.

She loves cuddles, preens us, plays games, will sit on your shoulder or any available body part for hours and gets most upset when you leave her behind to go to the loo lol.

Your bird is equally as amazing but please, slow down, RELAX, enjoy the ride and watch as your bird begins to love life. It's gorgeous - honestly!!!!

How are you doing with your new bird?

Congrats on your new conure!!! I just got my Green-cheek conure last Wednesday and she's very similar: never handled, stayed in a cage at the back of a pet store half her life (she's 6 months old, hatched 4/1/10), and is extremely hand shy. Even after only five days though she seems to be quite attached to me; I can't get my hands close to her but she has no problems getting close to my face (obviously not touching, at least not yet!) and calls for me if I get too far away. We have long distance conversations, and I find her very VERY adorable.

I think I'd have gotten a sun conure myself if 1) I wasn't living in an apartment at the moment and 2) has a little bit more money at my disposal. Still not ruling it out, but I'm quite enamored with my little green fluffball already.

Try not to worry too much about touching him just yet. Talk to him, get him used to and intrigued by you. Remember that birds are wild animals: you can't just go up and pet them any more than you can a raven or bluejay in a tree (or a mountain lion, or a bear, or any other wild animal). Even if it was in a pet store that doesn't mean it was socialized or learned anything useful. When I bought Mishka (my little GCC) the lady in the shop caught her in the cage with a net, then after dropping her proceeded to run all around the store trying to catch her. Traumatizing, to say the least (especially since the bird got free three or four times and had to be chased each time).

Give it a week of simply being there, talking to him, letting him get used to seeing the towel (ignore the screaming, praise softly whenever he stops), and don't try to touch him. Eventually he'll calm down, get used to his new place and cage, and start to think of you as a flockmate. Then you can begin to get closer, but it won't be overnight. Don't push it, let him come to you, and eventually you too will have your very own velcro bird.

Oh, and pictures are ALWAYS welcome!!