3 year old peanut behavior

[YUMgrinder]

So, I have had peanut a week and a half. I am told he is a 3 year old and the vet says he is healthy. He only lets me hold him and bites others if they get close to me or him. He leans away and holds his wings out slightly if I try to touch him most of time. He steps up with confidence and likes to give kisses and sit on my shoulder. He follows my fingers around as I am trying to pet him on his head, neck, belly, anywhere really with a slightly opened beak as if he's warning me but doesn't bite. if I try to hold him in my palm, fingers wrapped around his wings he gets really uneasy but once I get a firm (yet gentle) grip where he can't wiggle out he all of a sudden becomes super quiet and lethargic. If he gets uneasy I have learned that he likes to hide either nuzzled up to my neck or under a blanket or in a towel or even just cuddled into my palm, covering his head.

Do your sunnies do this? Is this behavior of cowering a sign that he is MORE stressed?

The first time (and only time I needed to use a towel other than to dry him off) he went from biting me hysterically to calm as soon as the towel was introduced.

 

[Rival_of_the_Rickeybird]

I read your thread as "three year old peanut buter" and was going to suggest you toss it.

Anyway, I recall that when our vet restrains the bird (quickly and expertly) the bird seems to sense the control and very much relaxes, unlike when my wife tries to contain him, which is a crazy free-for-all. So it must be fine for short periods of time or the vet wouldn't do it.

 

[itzjbean]

I love sun conures!! Pictures!!

It sounds like maybe you need to slow down with the petting and holding him. If you haven't had him more than a week and a half, he is still adjusting and sounds like he needs more time. If he's open-beaking as you stroke him, stop stroking him and listen more to his body language. Don't pick him up! Let him come to you!

 

[YUMgrinder]

I have pics of him in my album, I believe it to be public? I added them today...

When I put my hand in his cage he doesn't necessarily come to me but he steps up when I ask. and when I do hold him and I sense his uneasiness I only do it for a couple seconds... and of course I move slow and am gentle. maybe he actually trusts a towel or blanket over my hand lol

 

[YUMgrinder]

Made a video showing his uneasy feelings about being pet[ame="https://youtu.be/YpISR46jMa0"]https://youtu.be/YpISR46jMa0[/ame]

 

[GaleriaGila]

So pretty!
And so FASSSSSST!
And sweet.
And tolerant.

 

[davefv92c]

Made a video showing his uneasy feelings about being pethttps://youtu.be/YpISR46jMa0

ricky my sunny is same as yours loves being handled on his terms
only and that means no petting me but i will hang with you full time .