A little about us

[lieks1997]

Hey guys! First post, can't wait to hear from you all. So here's a little info on me and my pets. So I'm 17, been home schooled for a few years now and absolutely love animals. That's just how I was raised, we've had a few birds when I was younger, but were mostly my parent's. Have 2 dogs and soon going to be getting a second snake. And recently got a 16 week old sun conure a few days ago, after loosing my 12 year old doberman because of tick fever a few months ago
I've been planning on getting a bird for more than 3 years now and after doing a lot of research and driving everybody around me mad I decided on a sun conure. And I would LOVE to hear what you guys have to say and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Originally I planned on going to a breeder and got about 4 breeders in my area, but fell inlove with the little sun at an exotic pet store. But that was before I found out how little they knew! The woman didn't even understood what I meant when I asked whether or not the birds have been weaned yet. Only found out about the age after contacting some other guy that worked there part time. And they also said that their way to young to be sexed? But he\she is 16 weeks?
This is also the first time she's been in a cage, and they clipped her entire right wing but left her left wing untouched leaving her completely off balanced. She was on a seed diet, "parrot mix" going to be mixing some bird pellets in with the seeds this weekend. Sense I got her I just been sitting next to her cage and talking to her and after a while she came up to me on her own. She gently nibbled on my finger, but that's normal for younger birds right? Sorry about all the questions, I'm new.
Oh and originally I wanted to keep her wings clipped (only clipping about 4 or 5 of the flight feathers on both wings) but it feels cruel, I don't want to alter her just because it would be more "convenient" for ME.
Thank you in advance

 

[SandyBee]

Hello and welcome,

Clipping is a personal choice and there are pro's and cons, But please keep the clip even on both sides otherwise she will hurt herself. Once you do that you can decide if you will keep them clipped or grow them out.
Pellets are a good idea and introduce fresh fruits and vegetables too. Lots of info on here to look at.

We'd love to see some pictures.

 

[SparkkiSparkS]

Welcome! Personally, I like my birds to be able to fly. I do think it may be better to have them clipped when you first bring them home so they have time to get to know you and their new home before flying around. My plum head had hers clipped when I first got her but it just slowed her down a bit, she could still fly where ever she wanted to. My ringneck is still young and hers are clipped at the moment but I plan on letting them grow out. She wants to fly so bad and has warmed up to me so quick I cant wait for her to be able to fly! Some will disagree with that but I think its great.

 

[lieks1997]

Hey guys! Thanks sooo much for responding.

Totally agreeing with you sparkispark, I plan on letting the other wing grow out, at first I wanted her wings clipped, but seeing how many times she tries to fly makes me feel bad about her not being able to. But I do agree with having their wings clipped until they get to know you. I think we're making progress, at first she was frightened of my hands, but now she takes treats from me, stays calm when my hands and in the cage, even nibbles on my fingers and fell asleep with my hand in the cage.....but we're still working on the whole touching thing
We started with the "step up" last night and did some this morning as well and its going better than I thought it would!

Oh and I'll try to upload a photo of him\her soon, just have to figure out how

 

[ACEPHONECHIC]

I think you have to ask why are you clipping is it for the parrots benefit or is it for your own to make sure they cannot fly out of an open window.
Zak one of the first conures we bought was already clipped when we received him and he was only a baby and he found it almost impossible to fly. Then I will never forget the day that the feathers grew back and he realised he could fly, he did a couple of curcits of the sittingroom it was wonderful to see. Needless to say I have never clipped any of my parrots since. All 7 we have at the moment can fly it is part of them. Yes we cannot open windows in the summer and we have to make sure that all birds are in cages before opening doors> But the joy of seeing them fly is worth the extra caution every time. Training young birds to fly to you across a room is so rewarding.

 

[Turquoise]

Welcome to the forum. You sound like you have done a tremendous amount of research already. That is a very good start to becoming a Parront.

Sun Conures are very beautiful birds. I have never owned one, but I have seen them in person. Does your little darling have a name yet?

Clipping is a personal choice. And most of the time when you get a new bird they are already clipped by the breeder or store you purchase them from like yours was. Re-homed older birds may or may not be depending on the previous owner.

As was mentioned, just be cautious when the wings grow out that she can't accidentially escape to the outdoors. Even the most bonded parrot can become confused & scared once in the great outdoors & can be near impossible to recapture. It is also very dangerous outside for our feathered kids on their own.

Good luck with your new baby & I too look forward to seeing pics.

 

[aliray]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new sun conure. I know you want to let the wings grow out but for now clip the other wing so that it is even with the first already clipped wing so he can learn balance . If he can fly using only one wing he will have no control and would esentially be going in a circle and would get hurt.

 

[lieks1997]

Hey everybody, thanks for all the new posts and I really do appreciate it!

He\She doesn't have a name yet because I'm not sure about the sex, but I'm trying to find a name that would suite her regardless. Trying to upload a few pictures,,,,,the hardest part is getting her to sit still photos won't look that great though because I took the pics with my cell phone.

I'll clip her other wing this weekend, but should I clip al her flight features like on her right wing or should I only cut a few?

Even though she's not scared or aggressive, she's very nippy. Is a normal for younger birds, is it something she'll outgrow?

She also does this thing...I don't know how to describe it, but you know like when a baby bird gets fed? Closing their eyes, flapping their wings, that type of stuff. Well she does that every now and again with my finger. She'll "nibble" on my finger then put her whole beak over the tip of my finger then does that. Haven't really seen it before, any of you guys have any thoughts on that?

Thank you again for all the great advice!


Let's see if this works!


http://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbi...78159425466:mf_story_key.-1957110634524414874

 

[Turquoise]

Bummer, couldn't get your FB link to work for me. The motions you describe that your sun conure is doing to your hand sounds like she/he is begging to be fed. It is a natural trait most hand fed babies do from time to time even tho they are eating regular foods. She will still look to you for comfort food when she does this.

To help with the bonding process with my younger macaw Roscoe, I would make plain oatmeal with water & add finely ground nuts & blended apple in with it. He & Angel loved getting this especially before they went to bed. Even tho pour feathered kids are weaned, they are still babies for a long time.

 

[lieks1997]

Awww thanks Turquoise. I'll give that a try, though she does not like apple. I'll just leave that out. And I'm sorry the link didn't work, I'll see if I can get another to upload the pics. She's really such a cutie.

Oh and I forgot to ask, how do you guys feel about harnessing? Anybody have any experience with harness training?

 

[Turquoise]

Well now, on using a harness. I am not an expert at all. I do have a harness for Roscoe & I have managed to successfully get it on him without him chewing it to bits twice! he loved going outside both times, but since then he will NOT sit still & allow me to put it on. He thinks it is a new chew toy I am fitting him with & I end up in a 'tug-o-war' just to get it away from him before that expensive thing is shredded!

They are wonderful for outings & it worked great like it is supposed to (I have the Aviator brand) when I did get to use it. I watched the video that came with it & read all I could about getting him used to it. I think I should have made Roscoe read how he is supposed to act. Cause he ain't nothing like the calm sweet macaw the video shows sitting quietly while the guy puts the harness on in a few short lessons.

Hopefully someone that has better success with them can give you pointers on using them. I won't give up on Roscoe & his harness, when the weather gets warm again, we will see if he read up on how he is supposed to act. LOL I have not attempted to put Leyla Belle's harness on yet. Angel doesn't need one, he has disabilities that affect his wings also and will never be able to fly. I haven't bought one for my GGC Peta yet, so not sure how she will react.

Oh yeah, about the oatmeal, you can add other fruits finely blended or some have used human baby foods. And it doesn't have to be oatmeal if she doesn't care for it. It is mainly some warm soft foods she will eat that gives her the comfort that you as her parront is still providing her. There is a forum here that covers cooking for your parrots & it should give you ideas of things you might try. There are books on cooking for your parrot also you can find online or I found mine in my local bookstore. Sometimes it takes a few different foods to find out what your girl will like best & that includes daily veggies & fruits as well.