Hi there.
Figured I should introduce myself and explain what brings me here.
I'm new to owning birds although I've wanted to for a while. My guy Stephen, a (probably) green cheek conure came to me through a long and round-about way.
Long story short, a friend's family got him as a hatchling just over three years ago for their boy who was 11. Unfortunately he mostly bonded with mom and then they recently (last year or so) got a highly prey driven dog so Stephen stayed in his cage nearly 24/7.
My friend was back visiting and since the bird had ALWAYS liked her they suggested she take him. So she drove with him in the car for a 13 hour, 2 day drive back to Boise where he met me.
Stephen is a bit of a biter and his new mom quickly lost patience with him. She loved him but she couldn't deal. He had taken to me quite nicely and while I don't LIKE the biting I'm much more patient with it. SO with everyone's blessing I now have him living in my house.
That's a LOT of change for a little bird and he's acting out a bit which has to be expected. But with all of that said, I'm still new to this and thought "Hey, I bet there's a place in the interwebernets where lots of people can help me figure out how to take this little guy and turn him into a happy camper."
I should mention a few other things I suppose:
Yes, I know how long he can live and I'm OK with that. This wasn't a spur of the moment decision by any stretch.
I've done lots of research about care, feeding etc and I think I'm doing OK but guidance is a good thing!
I have 1 dog (basset hound) and a foster dog (chihuahua) as well as 2 elderly cats. (The youngest being 16 years old)
Stephen's cage is in his own room for when I'm not home. He can see me when he's in it if I am home but he's usually out and riding on my shoulder. Someone taught him to ride on shoulders and that's where he's going to sit. Regardless of my thoughts on the matter.
So that's a super long intro. I'll try to get to the specifics as I can and I hope y'all can provide me some great insights and help.
David
Figured I should introduce myself and explain what brings me here.
I'm new to owning birds although I've wanted to for a while. My guy Stephen, a (probably) green cheek conure came to me through a long and round-about way.
Long story short, a friend's family got him as a hatchling just over three years ago for their boy who was 11. Unfortunately he mostly bonded with mom and then they recently (last year or so) got a highly prey driven dog so Stephen stayed in his cage nearly 24/7.
My friend was back visiting and since the bird had ALWAYS liked her they suggested she take him. So she drove with him in the car for a 13 hour, 2 day drive back to Boise where he met me.
Stephen is a bit of a biter and his new mom quickly lost patience with him. She loved him but she couldn't deal. He had taken to me quite nicely and while I don't LIKE the biting I'm much more patient with it. SO with everyone's blessing I now have him living in my house.
That's a LOT of change for a little bird and he's acting out a bit which has to be expected. But with all of that said, I'm still new to this and thought "Hey, I bet there's a place in the interwebernets where lots of people can help me figure out how to take this little guy and turn him into a happy camper."
I should mention a few other things I suppose:
Yes, I know how long he can live and I'm OK with that. This wasn't a spur of the moment decision by any stretch.
I've done lots of research about care, feeding etc and I think I'm doing OK but guidance is a good thing!
I have 1 dog (basset hound) and a foster dog (chihuahua) as well as 2 elderly cats. (The youngest being 16 years old)
Stephen's cage is in his own room for when I'm not home. He can see me when he's in it if I am home but he's usually out and riding on my shoulder. Someone taught him to ride on shoulders and that's where he's going to sit. Regardless of my thoughts on the matter.
So that's a super long intro. I'll try to get to the specifics as I can and I hope y'all can provide me some great insights and help.
David