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[Gracepol_Wings]

Hey all,

I currently have 2 year old green cheek conure- female (I believe) called Sweetie. I bought her from a bird fodder shop when it was really young. I cannot remember the age but she had all her new shoots on its head with fresh young feathers, and she sat on the bottom of the cage. She was hand reared and really tame. I originally went in to look at getting an Indian ring neck because I loved their colours, their attitudes, their ability to talk and inquisitive natures, and I grew a lot of fresh vegetables and organic fruit to feed my new pet.

The store owner actually talked me out of a ring neck because he didn’t think I would be able to tame it (as I wanted a pet/companion) so he suggested the baby conure because it would be better for me. So I took it home and Sweetie has connected to just me and loves me. However, upon having her for 2 years now I have noticed that its behaviour is a very weird. It took me about 1.5 years to get her to try fresh fruit and veg, it is scared of fresh bottle brush branches and leaves. So I just leave plain boring branches in her cage. She has once hanging seaweed toy in the cage which it sleeps in when it’s cold and I cannot put anything new in the cage or it freaks out and sits to the side of the cage and has anxiety. I have tried gradual introduction, encouraged when she has been out with me and putting food near them etc. I cannot get any interest. New foods like grass, millet sprays and milk thistle will not be touched.

So what I am trying to explain is my current bird is not inquisitive at all. She doesn’t chirp and squark and behave like a ‘normal’ parrot. I have watched others out in stores, aviarys and my friends lorikeet. (Yes I know they are different species with different attitudes) I actually think because Sweetie was hand raised and was sold to me so early it never learnt normal bird behaviours [emoji20] which is why I have never seen another parrot like her before.
(I also grew up with budgies, cockatiels, ducks, geese, turkeys, galahs, sulfer cresteds etc)

Anyway...
To my question. I would like to get a new parrot for the different personality change. Is getting an older bird safer because mine has behavioural issues.

Sweetie hates my boyfriend... bites the crap out of him and makes him bleed. We have tried treats but I know I am her owner. Are there parrot species which are okay or better with two people/owners or more accepting of other people?
I was under the impression that conures were a bird of attitude and cheeky nature. One that hops around and gets into everything, wants to learn to talk, and loves toys, will eat fresh fruits, nuts, seeds and grasses that I offer.

Can anyone offer specific species I could look at and research about?
I still like Indian ring necks, and sun conures (I seen two in a pet store and they were so gorgeous coming up to me and chirping to me)

I also do have the experience with taming and building up a relationship. I have common sense with treats and positive reinforcement. Sweetie spends lots of time with me at breakfast and dinner, occasionally walking around or just sitting there watching me. She keeps me company when I do my hair and makeup, and on the computer doing reading. I just want to be happy with my potential new bird and not feel like I have taken on a new animal which doesn’t suit. Very curious how to read a birds behaviour and temperament.
I will also look at the sub species section- and I have googled but as we all know... just because you read it on the internet doesn’t make it correct.


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[SilverSage]

Re: Wanted advice for a potential new parrot in the new year.

I am going to try to be very kind and respectful here but my heart is so broken and I am so deeply stunned, offended, and disgusted by what you have said that it is going to be difficult for me.


You want a second bird because YOU did not teach your current bird the proper things when she was young? YOU failed to do proper research and meet her needs so now that she is damaged you want to replace her? YOU are bored so instead of admitting that YOU caused a problem YOU are giving up on her? Your poor bird. The species isn't the problem here, YOU ARE.


GCCs are by nature amazing, goofy, inquisitive, active birds. Yes, it sounds like she suffers mentally because YOU bought her too young and didn't meet her needs. That's on you, not her. Getting a different species won't fix that; you are the one who caused it.

And YOU are the one who needs to fix it.

Your bird does not deserve to be replaced and abandoned at age 2 (the very beginning of what should be 20-30 years) because YOU lack the attention span and compassion to put the effort in to show her how to live a decent life.

So no, there is no good species for you to adopt. Please go back and fix the damage you have already done to this poor sweet bird. It will likely take years, but that isn't her fault.


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[SilverSage]

Re: Wanted advice for a potential new parrot in the new year.

Oh and the biting of your boyfriend is also because you neglected her education as a baby, and also can be fixed with proper effort on your part. None of this is the poor parrots fault.

And lest you think I am not an "experienced parrot owner" I have actually bred GCCs and am heavily involved in rescue and foster of many species including GCCs. Ive bred several species but currently breed Indian Ringnecks exclusively, and let me tell you if you give up so easily as this you will certainly not have a happy life with a Ringneck.


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[Gracepol_Wings]

Wanted advice for a potential new parrot in the new year.

Oh and the biting of your boyfriend is also because you neglected her education as a baby, and also can be fixed with proper effort on your part. None of this is the poor parrots fault.

And lest you think I am not an "experienced parrot owner" I have actually bred GCCs and am heavily involved in rescue and foster of many species including GCCs. Ive bred several species but currently breed Indian Ringnecks exclusively, and let me tell you if you give up so easily as this you will certainly not have a happy life with a Ringneck.


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As for a matter of fact I bought my pet from a store under a bird breeder... how is that MY fault? It’s not.
It’s not MY fault my bird was never socialised with other birds and lacks interaction skills?
It grew up with me, with 2 years of comfort and care. I did my best to encourage new foods and social behaviour. I have followed many of the posts on here and not all birds are the same... not all of the tips worked?
I did not go out and buy a new bird to help my bird get better social skills because that is useless for obvious reasons.

And where did I saw I was getting rid of my current bird?
WHERE? Did I say it.... no I didn’t. In fact I plan on keeping her. So I would appreciate an apology because you have jumped the gun with my responsibility of an animal owner.
I never said I was bored of my bird either... it has a placid personality which I have attempted to change but like I said earlier... not all birds are the same and not all will react or change.

I am not even going to continue reading your post right now because you have really offended me. Do not jump to conclusions.
If you seriously feel I am the worst and irresponsible owner, feel free to PM me and I would be more than happy to show and tell you my 2 years of work and some progress. I did do my research and when I have seen such little change I believe that that is its personality. You cannot change an animals personality, and she is placid, and quiet. She has been right at the beginning and she hasn’t changed much. Definitely not outgoing, inquisitive, and bouncy. I haven’t given up, but accepted the fact that I should stop trying to push things on my bird that it just simply doesn’t want to do! That is the way she is.....

And lastly there is NOTHING wrong with me wanting to get another species.... I am allowed to have two parrots if I have the time for them both. Like I said... feel free to PM me if you want a bio on my life and rest assured that you have completely taken this in the WRONG way....


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[SilverSage]

Re: Wanted advice for a potential new parrot in the new year.

You called her boring, you called her a dud. You don't have to "get rid" of a bird in order to abandon it. And yes IT IS your fault if you buy a bird too young and then fail to meet her needs and teach her how to live a happy life. Of course you are entitled to have and love two parrots, but if you wanted it to be taken that way, you shouldn't have spent the entire time complaining about the poor bird you already have and how she just isn't good enough for you.

And no I will not PM you. I have no desire to get into a cat fight. You came here for advice, you don't like my advice to work with the bird you have and teach her how to have a better life. I've said what I have to say; now others will say what they have to say. It's a forum; this isn't the first and won't be the last time two members think each other's actions are appalling.


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[Soyajam]

Re: Wanted advice for a potential new parrot in the new year.

There seems to be three components here.

* You're unhappy about your bird because of their temprament
* You're unhappy about your bird because she has a few behavioural issues.
* You want to get another bird because you're unhappy with your first bird.


Firstly even if it's futile, I'd say getting another bird is a bad idea. However, I know if your mind is set on another bird we can't say anything to stop it, so in lieu of that:

Another bird will not fix the behavioural issues your first bird has. You can either work on resolving those before you decide on another bird, or you should rehome your conure before you get another bird. If you try to have two at once, there is a possibility your conure is just going to be neglected for the new one.

There are a tonne of training resources on the internet about biting (it's usually from fear), and training your bird tricks (which can be used as play). Conures are bouncy little creatures and I bet it's in there, you just need to work with her.

If you are going to rehome her, I'd recommend the Parrot Rescue Centre in australia - They often let you choose the home they will go to next and you can decide what sort of owners would be best for her. Just be honest about why you are rehoming her (including behavioural issues) - they will be important for their next owners to work on.

In regards to being unhappy about her temprament, you can indeed train her to play. It may involve getting a whole variety of toys and seeing which ones she prefers, and showing her how fun they can be. Remi my bird looves shredding soft wood, and crunching nuts - so I provide her all different kinds of natural branches full of gumnuts she plays with.
You might also benefit from teaching your bird tricks, like spin around, wave and spreading the wings. You can use these tricks later on to help diffuse from a biting situation, too. Tonnes of info on the internet, have a look at Barbara Heidenrich's work, or BirdTricks, or the ParrotWizard.

I hope this provides some clarify, and I understand if you're frustrated at your bird. But it's usually our fault when they don't behave how we like and it's our job to be mindful of their needs. They are wild animals, unlike cats and docs and we decided to bring them into our homes.

Good luck.

 

[Gracepol_Wings]

Re: Wanted advice for a potential new parrot in the new year.

There is nothing wrong with my bird and it’s affection to me? I am not unhappy with it.
I am disappointed in the bird breeder whom I bought it off.
You say they are inquisitive, goofy and active... well unfortunately mine is not and it NEVER HAD BEEN!

I am struggling to understand how it is my fault because my pet wasn’t raised correctly before I got it? It should have been raised correctly with its mother and other chicks, learnt bird behaviour but instead something else has happened to it which lacks its natural ability to ‘an inquisitive bird’ which in my opinion should be a natural thing. I do not understand? Was my duty to teach it to do bird things? Poor sweetie didn’t even know simple
Conure chirps and vocabulary... I still to this day play YouTube videos so she can learn. She knows how to speak budgie and lorikeet because they were what she listened to growing up to help.

The one thing I do realise is no matter why you buy- animal or merchandise there is always a **** sales person who is thinking of the money...

Oh and the biting is actually because it is currently spring/mating season and females are savage for protecting their owners.
You clearly rescue other peoples **** pets and devote your spare time to that... you shouldn’t just jump to conclusions until you know history.

Once again I am not frustrated at my bird. It is only an animal and I cannot understand why it is so wrong of me to expect ‘a bouncy lively, goofy bird full of antics’ and end up having something entirely opposite? That is why: the personality I expected has not happened at all? Yes a dud, the breeder who clearly doesn’t know his birds.
The affection is not a problem, she sits in my hair, shoulders, I hold her on her back, she bops her head with me to music, and I have gotten her to eat many new fruits such as mango and cranberries. When I say I have not neglected her, I have not. This bird completely dotes on me and I still have the time for her why would I get rid of her?
I am simply asking advice for a POSSIBLE second bird down the track. I’ve had time to think about it myself and getting another bird is not to replace my first one, but to add to my home with (hopefully) a different personality.


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[chris-md]

Re: Wanted advice for a potential new parrot in the new year.

Here’s a novel idea: How about accepting this bird for all her flaws, flaws which YOU now have sole reposibikitu for creating in her. Flaws which are your responsibility for correcting.

You need to understand your getting tough love here. You’ve come to forum that takes bird care very seriously, which is why you came. You’re just not getting the answers or affirmation you were expecting. Nor should you in this instance. Your approach to this situation is absolutely abhorrent.

There’s an awful lot of of blaming the breeder here. Bird has been in your care for almost 2 years, more than enough time to overcome any deficiencies caused by the breeder. You failed to do the work. You don’t get to blame anyone but yourself here.

Bites your boyfriend? Newsflash: did you do your homework? Conures often only allow themselves to be handled and show affection towards only one person. There’s even a term for this: one person birds. That’s because they bond as a result of sexual mentality and behaviors (they mate for life). Guess what? Your bird has chosen you. You are that birds everything: mate, friend, companion, caretaker. Which likely means boyfriend needs to admire the bird from afar.

Birds aren’t toys. Get bored with it? Get a new one! If this is your mentality, find a new home for the bird and NEVER GET ANOTHER PARROT. Your approach to parronthood is completely wrong. . They aren’t guinea pigs. They are far more intelligent and self aware. They BOND TO YOU and show affection every minute they are with you. If you can’t appreciate that you don’t deserve a parrot.

 

[chris-md]

Re: Wanted advice for a potential new parrot in the new year.

“Here’s nothing wrong with my bird”

“I’m not frustrated at my bird”

“She’s a dud”

“She’s boring”

“She’s weird”

Do you see how all over the map you are?????? You don’t even know what to make of your situation. And you want to bring another bird into this chaos you can’t control? Dumb dumb dumb.

Why are you asking about taming a wild bird. If you can’t even train the tame bird you have now?

And lastly, you arent even certain of the kind of bird you DO have “Greek cheek conure...I think?” Let’s fix this basic failure right now. Can you post a picture?

 

[wrench13]

Re: Wanted advice for a potential new parrot in the new year.

a) Everyone let's cool down, and see if we collectively can offer the OP some real constructive advice.
b) Any number of possible scenarios, before you owned Sweetie, may have taken place that could have stunted her 'parrotness' - water under the bridge. You are the parront now, and have the responsibility for her development and a happy life.
c) I suggest you wind the clock back, and try to re-set your interactions with Sweetie. Do a LOT of reading here on GCC and new birds in general. Treat her as if you just brought her home, after you have done your homework
d) We say on this board, when ever there is an issue with a parrot, that "It's never the fault of the parrot, it is always the fault of the owner", which is a really good rule to go by, and why the reaction to your first post may ave come off incorrectly ( again, water under the bridge).
e) After you have reintroduced yourself and family and BF to Sweetie, try to set up a particular time, every day, with out fail, say 1/2 an hour where she gets your undivided, focused attention. Giving her scratches, teaching her tricks or commands, playing with her, or other 1 on 1 activities. But do it every day, same time.
f) Make sure Sweetie is getting 12 hours of sleep in a quiet dark environment, like in her cage , covered for the most part, and no ammbient noise ( TV, Music, voices street noise etc).
g) I will agree with the others here, that you should try to draw Sweetie out of her shell, address her fears and encourage her to be the great little GCC she can be, before you get a second bird - remember 2x the parrots is 2x or more, of the expense, work, and TIME, since each parrot deserves and must have their alone time with you. 2x the space too, since you should assume that a new parrot is not going to be caged in the same cage as Sweetie.

Stick with this board there is a LOT of experience here, and great advice to be found. Our members care about parrots above all, and can be quite passionate if they believe that the poster does not have the birds best interests in mind. Not saying you don't - writing on a board is so much less personal that a face to face talk, it's sometimes difficult to make sure your words properly express what you actually mean to say. Read, read read, all the stickies on the COnure sub-forum, and others that will point you in the right direction as you re-introduce yourself with Sweetie.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[chris-md]

Lastly, I want you to hear and know THIS: your getting knocked around a lot in this post. It’s not because people just want to start a flame war with you behind anonymous keyboards. If you read between the lines, these people CARE.

If you are illiciting his kind of reaction, take a step back and ask yourself why.

In order for any of us to help you, you need a serious attitude adjustment in how you approach your thinking of the situation. The average bird sees something like 7 homes in its lifetime. And its usually because people fail to understand what is truly required to properly care for birds.

Your mentality is setting your poor bird up for its 7 home journey. This is why our hearts are breaking. Because it’s preventable if the human would just open her eyes.

Not to mention any second bird you get is entering a home with this commodity mentality, setting IT up for ultimately being rehomed.

So if you’ve made it this far, congrats. Keep coming back. WE WANT TO HELP YOU. I promise you even Dani (SilverSage) would be excited to help guide you in some things you need to learn, though it may not seem like it based on her wholly understandable tone. Understand she’s a breeder, so this post hits home for her.

But it’s not the help you THINK you need.

 

[Gracepol_Wings]

And lastly, you arent even certain of the kind of bird you DO have “Greek cheek conure...I think?” Let’s fix this basic failure right now. Can you post a picture?[/QUOTE]


You are truly a horrible person picking and calling on someone who is dyslectic a failure and struggles to write things correctly.
Green CHEEK CONURE! - FEMALE I BELIEVE.
It hasn’t been sexed.




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[Allee]

Re: Wanted advice for a potential new parrot in the new year.

Oh and the biting of your boyfriend is also because you neglected her education as a baby, and also can be fixed with proper effort on your part. None of this is the poor parrots fault.

And lest you think I am not an "experienced parrot owner" I have actually bred GCCs and am heavily involved in rescue and foster of many species including GCCs. Ive bred several species but currently breed Indian Ringnecks exclusively, and let me tell you if you give up so easily as this you will certainly not have a happy life with a Ringneck.


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Well excuse me to step on your head up your ass. Might want to pull it out because there is no reason to be such a piece of work!

As for a matter of fact I bought my pet from a store under a bird breeder... how is that MY fault? It’s not.
It’s not MY fault my bird was never socialised with other birds and lacks interaction skills?
It grew up with me, with 2 years of comfort and care. I did my best to encourage new foods and social behaviour. I have followed many of the posts on here and not all birds are the same... not all of the tips worked?
I did not go out and buy a new bird to help my bird get better social skills because that is useless for obvious reasons.

And where did I saw I was getting rid of my current bird?
WHERE? Did I say it.... no I didn’t. In fact I plan on keeping her. So I would appreciate an apology because you have jumped the gun with my responsibility of an animal owner.
I never said I was bored of my bird either... it has a placid personality which I have attempted to change but like I said earlier... not all birds are the same and not all will react or change.

I am not even going to continue reading your post right now because you have really offended me. Do not jump to conclusions.
If you seriously feel I am the worst and irresponsible owner, feel free to PM me and I would be more than happy to show and tell you my 2 years of work and some progress. I did do my research and when I have seen such little change I believe that that is its personality. You cannot change an animals personality, and she is placid, and quiet. She has been right at the beginning and she hasn’t changed much. Definitely not outgoing, inquisitive, and bouncy. I haven’t given up, but accepted the fact that I should stop trying to push things on my bird that it just simply doesn’t want to do! That is the way she is.....

And lastly there is NOTHING wrong with me wanting to get another species.... I am allowed to have two parrots if I have the time for them both. Like I said... feel free to PM me if you want a bio on my life and rest assured that you have completely taken this in the WRONG way....


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First, I'd like to thank every member who has responded to this thread, you continue to make PF the best parrot forum on the planet.

Jess, you have been given excellent advice and our members are treating you with respect. I promise you all responding members feel genuine concern for your bird and only want to help. My fingers are itching to delete your rude remark to SilverSage, she did not deserve that, she's a valued long time member and I assure you she knows what she's talking about. I will let the remark stand only because of the members' posts that followed. Debates are fine, intense conversations are fine, personal insults are unwelcome and uncalled for. Our members have given you the information you need to turn your disappointment in a new direction and create a lasting bond with a bird you already have. We'd love to follow the success story.

 

[wrench13]

LOL, don't feel bad, I have trouble identifying the different conure species. There are so many, and they interbreed for even more designations, ie: cinnamon green cheek black capped conure - yikes! CGCBCC ! Kidding of course. While there may be some horrible folks posting on this board, I assure you Chris is not one of them.

Just see point a) in my first post - let's all cool down, and get you and Sweetie some constructive advice.

 

[SilverSage]

Ok.

I have had a few more hours sleep, and thought this over. I think there is one major misunderstanding at the middle of this mess and I think I need to address it.

You keep saying your bird is just a sweet docile bird, and she may be that. But she is also a BROKEN bird. You are probably stunned and angered; how can I say such a thing when I have never met you or her?

Well, YOU said it. You said she won't play with toys, try new things, explore new experiences. Yes some birds are just more chill than others but THESE THINGS are an indication of serious mental and emotional damage. Yes, that damage almost certainly originated with the breeder, but when you bought her you took on the responsibility for her wellbeing.

You said (in a pretty rude way, actually) that we likely take on other people's rejected birds, and that is true; I have worked with a LOT of parrots and had to teach them the fundamentals of being a bird. I've also raised this species and know what a happy healthy GCC looks like. Yours needs some serious time and dedication to try to heal some major mental and emotional damage. It's actually a really common sort of damage.

So keep in mind that what WE SEE isn't a loving parrot owner looking to expand her flock, it's a damaged and suffering bird who is about to be replaced. Whose human "isn't happy" with her, and calls her "a dud," "boring," and "weird" and wants to know how to get a more fun option. That's what has caused us to react so strongly.

We LOVE our birds here; I know I speak for a lot of us when I say they are our precious family members. I actually lost my dearest freind, a cockatiel this month, and I can't imagine ever trying to replace her. It hurts me to see anyone NOT loving their birds enough to stick to it and figure out how to help them, and if you go back and read your original post that is EXACTLY how you came across.


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[SilverSage]

I have my 3 month old human child on my lap as I type this; he is everything a baby boy is "supposed" to be and I love him beyond words. But I keep thinking of his cousin, my nephew, who is autistic. My nephew isn't like other little boys, isn't as "fun," doesn't do the right things, and his behavior is extremely difficult to control. His mother, my sister in law, has dedicated her entire life to making his life the best it can be no matter how difficult that is for her.

If Levi, my son, ever develops "abnormal" symptoms it will only make me MORE dedicated to his life, not less. It's hard to understand how her pain is so easily dismissed by you.


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[Flboy]

Hi, just reread your original intro post. Sweet photo of Sweetie!
At two, your little one is going through some tough changes! Hang in there!

 

[SilverSage]

Also, continually editing your original post does not help further the conversation.


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[Tami2]

I have my 3 month old human child on my lap as I type this; he is everything a baby boy is "supposed" to be and I love him beyond words. But I keep thinking of his cousin, my nephew, who is autistic. My nephew isn't like other little boys, isn't as "fun," doesn't do the right things, and his behavior is extremely difficult to control. His mother, my sister in law, has dedicated her entire life to making his life the best it can be no matter how difficult that is for her.

If Levi, my son, ever develops "abnormal" symptoms it will only make me MORE dedicated to his life, not less. It's hard to understand how her pain is so easily dismissed by you.


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Well said, thank you SilverSage for all your insight and educational posts in this thread, especially this one. :heart:

 

[chris-md]

And lastly, you arent even certain of the kind of bird you DO have “Greek cheek conure...I think?” Let’s fix this basic failure right now. Can you post a picture?


You are truly a horrible person picking and calling on someone who is dyslectic a failure and struggles to write things correctly.
Green CHEEK CONURE! - FEMALE I BELIEVE.
It hasn’t been sexed.

Horrible human being? Dyslexia was never brought up, how could I be picking on you?? Let’s let cooler heads prevail here before you wear out any good will left after your attacks on the members of this forum who are doing nothing but trying to help you.

You are right and wrote that exactly as you reiterated. It was I who misread what you wrote. So to call me a horrible human being for misreading something you clearly wrote??

Come now.