Baby pineapple conure

Hello all,

My name is Molly yesterday I bought a beautiful baby pineapple conure called Rio. Rio is 4 months old and is from a breeder who said he was hand raised. However he is petrified of my hands? I know it's only his first full day home today but I just want to make him trust me.. He is preening around me, eating in front of me which is a good sign right? But he still seems a little bit scared of me... Any adivce on settling him/ in getting him a little more used to me? It would be greatly appreciated thank you so much <3

Welcome to you both!

welcome!

The fact that after one day he's preening away and playing in your presence is great!

Unfortunately even being hand-fed (most breeders saying hand-raised often mean hand-fed. I'll explain the difference further down) so he will be more open to hands but still he has been abducted from the world he knew and his family and is suddenly alone with you pushing hands at him. It's nothing personal, he's just upset and scared in a new home and isn't sure what's happening yet, he just needs some time to settle in. As for getting comfortable and settling that is up to him, all you can do is keep things calm around him and make every time you interact with him positive, try holding a treat through the bars and see if he comes over, if he doesn't come over and looks calm drop the treat in his food bowl and as time goes on he should figure out that when you're around a treat appears! As time goes on he should notice the treat in your hand and start coming over, if he doesn't want to come to you don't force him to, let him decide when the time is right to interact, you'd be surprised how fast they can turn from not wanting to be with you to being nestled on your should ready to sleep!

So I personally say there are 2 things breeders do. The majority hand-feed, what this is is where they feed the babies by spoon or syringe until they wean then they sell them off. Hand-raising a bird is where the breeder hand-feeds the chicks but they also handle and play with them daily to get them used to and happy with being touched and held by humans. I'm trying to push for people to start using the 2 separate terms because I feel it's important and should be a good way to stop less reputable people selling babies off for the same cost if not more than people who put in more work

Hi, welcome here

That is is a lovely photo!

It's tradition that someone directs you to this one, so here goes:
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

I wish you many happy hours with your bird and this forum.

Welcome Molly and Rio!! You've captured a fantastic image of Rio, be sure and keep it in mind for a future Picture Of The Month Contest!

The first two weeks or so is a "honeymoon" and discovery period. Considering this is Day Two, Rio is doing well. The link suggested by ChristaNL is a favorite and quite helpful.

Bear in mind parrots are not domesticated in the mold of dogs and even cats, to a degree. They are still wild animals and amazingly adaptable, as LordTriggs suggests.

Welcome to you both! Rio is lovely and, with patience, I’m sure that you two will build a strong relationship

Welcome, and congratulations on your little beauty!

I'm glad you're here... so much to share and learn about behavior, diet, handling.

Beautiful with a hint of a mischievous smile.