9 week old Turquoise Yellow-sided Green-Cheek!

[GiraffeMan]

I just got my first Conure today, and she is doing so great so far! She is already stepping up with treats. I left her in her cage for a few hours to let her adjust, and roam her new castle! Then as soon as I opened the door, she came out and sat on her outside perch, and was loving all the attention she was getting!

The only issue we are currently having, is biting. Which I've heard is very common. But does anyone have any ideas on how to stop this?

Also, she doesn't doesn't to have any interest in millet, so I purchased a few dried strawberry banana treats. Does anyone know how good these treats will be long term?

I'm definitely open to any advice or tips I can get! I'm very surprised with how friendly and outgoing she already is! Thanks everyone!

 

[noodles123]

Welcome!
Biting is not very typical in wild birds. With babies, it can be a matter of them not understanding that it is hurting you (because their beak is also like a hand), but in general if you are getting bitten, it's because you aren't reading your bird's cues--- biting is a last resort in the wild. Also, your bird is a baby, so at puberty, behavior will change a lot--- just start prepping for that now so that you aren't upset when she is less well-behaved. All babies are nicer than sexually mature birds, just like human infants are nicer than 16-year-olds.

 

[Laurasea]

Congratulations on your beautiful new baby.
https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/bird-behavior/

 

[GiraffeMan]

Welcome!
Biting is not very typical in wild birds. With babies, it can be a matter of them not understanding that it is hurting you (because their beak is also like a hand), but in general if you are getting bitten, it's because you aren't reading your bird's cues--- biting is a last resort in the wild. Also, your bird is a baby, so at puberty, behavior will change a lot--- just start prepping for that now so that you aren't upset when she is less well-behaved. All babies are nicer than sexually mature birds, just like human infants are nicer than 16-year-olds.

I noticed that a lot of her "biting" seemed more like holding on, or just checking to see if it's safe to jump on. She doesn't seem to be biting to be aggressive. Thank you for the info!

 

[LaManuka]

Congratulations on your beautiful new baby! Does she have a name yet? More pictures please when you've got 'em!

 

[GiraffeMan]

Congratulations on your beautiful new baby! Does she have a name yet? More pictures please when you've got 'em!

Her name is Medli! I'll definitely get some more later. She's had a pretty busy day traveling to a new home, so she's sleeping at the moment!

 

[LaManuka]

Beautiful name, a Legends of Zelda character if I'm not mistaken

Welcome to the PF family, little Medli, you are a gorgeous addition to our virtual flock!

 

[GiraffeMan]

Yes you are correct! Wind Waker was one of my favorite games as a kid, and thought it'd fit her very well!

 

[clark_conure]

I love those turquoise conures... so vivid!

 

[clark_conure]

Regarding biting:

For a well bonded bird, the time out method is the best way to break that behavior.

Whenever a bird bites too hard in anger (note its ok for her to defend herself during a nail trim or whatever,) but if you're just hanging out and he/she bites, yell in an authoritative voice NO!

Then (and this is the important part,) get up, walk away from where you are put the bird down on the floor. (Not a play stand not his/her cage.) But someplace he/she doesn't want to be...about ten feet away.

This will 1) snap the bird out of it 2) it has to sit there alone and shunned as you go back to where you were before.

Now the bird will have to think....as it slowly walks (or maybe flyies) back to you it has to process why it has to do that. Wait fore the bird to come back, (it will) and more often then not will be super sweet.

You may have to repeat this a few times, maybe more for it to sink in but shunning the bird for it's bad behavior if it is truly bonded, really impacts them and the bites will stop.

Don't beak grab or earthquake those just add excitement, you want to calm the situation down and separate the bird and force it to think about why it is on the floor....

Hope this helps.

 

[clark_conure]

Also I recommend healthy toppings papya treats. Kaytee. Conures love em.