Taming aggressive sun conure

I'm sort of at an impasse now, but I've had this sun conure since February where he was found on the side of the road still locked in a cage (named Tengu). These past couple of months he has made very minor improvements, such as socializing with my other birds and only screeching during the evening for a little bit.

However, there's a major problem I've been struggling with and it's been stressful on both me and this sun conure, this bird HATES humans. I can't really blame him considering all he's been through before we luckily found him, but even some of the basic bird trainers in my area haven't been able to help because he has resisted clicker training, treats, etc. most of the things that normally work on other conures. I guess I don't really want to say he's aggressive as he usually chooses going away over a fight, but if you have to handle him like I did the other day with nail trimming and wind clipping or simply trying to ask him to step up, he does not hesitate to bite hard.

It's getting a little difficult because there are some times where he has to be handled, but because he tends to retaliate I think it traumatizes him even more from hands. I don't want to give up, but I need some advanced help, any advice?

I'm sure there is a way to tame him, but I'm certainly not qualified to tell you how. Hopefully someone else will have some advice.

I wonder if he might be happier in a sanctuary where his interaction with people is limited.

Doesn't sound like he's aggressive. Sounds like he's afraid.

Aggression - Bird goes out of their way to attack you
Fear - Bird tries to avoid you. Bites as a last resort



These links are a great read
Working with Fearful Parrots: A Study in Videos | Learning Parrots
Good Bird Inc Parrot Training Talk: How to Make Friends with a Parrot
Good Bird Inc Parrot Training Talk: Building Trust with Your Parrot
Good Bird Inc Parrot Training Talk: Parrot Training and Handling Guidelines




You could try using his normal food to train him and keeping sessions short... i.e. as short as 10 seconds and backing off when he shows fear.




I can say that I am in a similar predicament with a wild caught african ringneck. I feel as if this bird would be happier in an outside aviary with others like her, rather than as a pet. I'm sure she'd make a great pet, but it pains me to see a bird so intent on being wild that it has no desire for human interaction.

She(?) is a healthy eater, eating pellets, Nutriberries, mash.... She also has a larger interest in items within her cage than my captive raised birds have! (toys that my birds shun for months, she destroys within days!) She knows what Nutriberries are and will happily eat them even if I'm 2-4' away, but millet spray? So-so. She likes them both, but definitely prefers Nutriberries.


She also will not take food/treats from my hands. Yet. Right now, I'm just happy that she has settled in enough so that she doesn't freak out every time I move. (personally, I think cages can be counterproductive to taming birds) I still wish though that I could put her in an aviary!

Great links. I am glad you are still posting on these forums, Monica. Just when I thought I'm done learning, I stumble on a thread you posted on and relearn a few things here and there.

Thank you for your substantial posts!