2 birds, one cage?

[raahil.kulshreshtha]

Hi, Im new here. Had couple of questions. Hoping this forum could help.

I've had a sun conure for a little over an year now. She is quite friendly and loves shoulders (Doesnt come on hands though, maybe because of ill treatment at pet stores). Recently (About a week back) i decided to buy a green cheek (6 months old). I kept them in separate cages next to each other and they seems quite friendly and enthusiastic to get to know one another.
I also took both of them out and let them play together (which was essentially preening time where the sun would preen the GCC like a mother, but on occasion, ended up with a fight). The GCC is quite nippy ATM and is probably just acting out.

Today, i decided to put them in the same cage. All seems fine but im wondering if i should just leave them there overnight. They seem to be getting along, some fights here and there when i yell and break it up.

BTW, the green cheek is quite hand tamed, with the exception of his nippyness. And no, havent confirmed on the sex of the birds, only based it on what the store said.

Also, if you have any advice about the GCC's nippyness or the Sun's no-hands-policy and how to get rid of them, please let me know.

Thanks

 

[MarciaLove]

I wouldnt leave them overnight first id start off just having them in the same cage during the day and in a couple days if all is well leave them overnight, and a little bit of fighting is normal, thats what I do with my birds. As for your suns hand shyness try moving your hand slowly towards her and resting them near her and when shes comfortable with that pet her slowly on her back and give her a treat when you are done and she hasnt bitten or tried to fly off if she does bite ignore it i know it hurts but birds want a reaction when they bite you if you dont give them one they will stop. Green cheek babies just tend to be nippy just ignore it and it will go away when she is older probably. They most likely wont mate I know some people have hybrid the Sun and GCC but its not common so you should be fine there.

 

[Marlin]

if you want to have your birds step up on your hand.
then this is what you need to do
1st start a training diet. this is the foundation of the training, has it gives the parrot motivation to train. there will be people who will say that you don't need a training diet to train parrots but I tried to train my parrot and found that by implementing a training diet I have more success in three days than in two months of training without one. so implement a training diet.

2nd get a clicker, this is the bridge between you and your parrot. used properly it is a very powerful training tool.

3rd a T- perch

to train your birds to step up onto your is as follows
first Day
eliminate all distractions prior to training.
I use millet cobs has most birds enjoy them
have the clicker in one hand and the millet in the other and the bird on the T-perch
offer the millet to the bird and hold the millet stationary. when the bird takes bite of the millet click the clicker once
then remove the millet from the birds sight until he has finished eating
repeats these steps. only train for 3 to 5 minutes per session and always finish the session on a positive. this means finish the training session with the bird wanting more. don't speak to the bird prior to clicking the clicker.
if the bird fails to take the millet after 15 second remove the millet from the birds sight, wait 20 to 30 second and retry.
do two sessions a day minimum
do this for around 3 days

on day four
the sessions are the same except that put your finger in front of the bird and hold it stationary in front of the bird and close enough for the bird to step onto, do not force the bird to step up onto your hand, instead hold the millet so the bird has to step off the T-perch and onto the finger to get at it. when the bird starts to step onto your finger say step up when the bird steps up on to the finger then click the clicker
if the bird fails to step up after 15 second remove the millet from the birds sight, wait 20 to 30 second and retry.
do two sessions a day minimum
do this for around 3 days

look at it this way the bird enjoys the treat. when he doesn't do what you want you don't reward him. he will go hey I want that treat so I will step up and get the treat.

Just remember that you are training the bird. don't let the bird start training you.

 

[Grinder]

In the beginning I would not leave them unattended in the same cage together. It's far too early to be doing that. Also, what are the genders of your Conures?

 

[ShellyBorg]

I would not allow the birds to be together until you have a strong bond with both of them and the training is much farther along.

 

[raahil.kulshreshtha]

wow... lots of responses.....

So, as far as sleeping together goes, they sleep separately (for now). During the day, they are on the same cage (on, not in). The GCC seems more relaxed, but still does bite at most times (i figure he will grow out of it). One strange thing, the cage previously belonged to the Sun, and she has had a sleeping pouch which she has been using for a long time, in the cage. However, it seems that during the day, she likes to perch at the edge of the cage (on top). So naturally, the GCC comes close to her as well (to start their preening sessions which last for way too long, seriously.. its wierd). They do fight at times, but as a human, it looks like the GCC is pushing the sun off the cage, although this could easily be their cuddling nature to 'hulk smash' each other. At night, the GCC is always looking to get to the sun, the sun couldnt be bothered and sometimes jumps onto my shoulder to get away from him (but is quite warm with him otherwise). Is all going well in your opinion?

@MarciaLove - i took your advice

@Marlin - wonderful response. thanks a lot.
Im doing the ladder thing with the GCC once a day, i heard it builds a bond with him. He has stopped biting me as often, but still ends up biting my wife. Do they act differently with different humans? My wife is not scared of his biting at all.

As for the sun, i dont think they have clickers here. I am however able to make certain freaky high pitched clicky sounds with my mouth (ha). Will that work? Also, instead of millet, will a piece of almond work? she loves almonds.

@Grinder
Suns a female, 1.5 yrs and GCC is a male, 6-7 months.

@ShellyBorg
Are you sure? The GCC seems to be doing better with me after watching me play with the Sun. Jealousy wont work as a training incentive?

 

[Marlin]

I know that the eclectus parrots are smart enough to know the difference between male and female in humans and as most parrot are of a high intelligence I would think that they would also act differently with people.
if she likes almonds then use them. you can get a clicker from most pet shops or on-line.

 

[ShellyBorg]

They can watch each other, but I would really not allow them to get a tight bond until you have a good bond with them.