HELLO, new owner of a red masked conure.

[ErzaoftheRedMask]

Hi everyone, my name is juan martin i am 22 and i just recently adopted a red masked conure. This was not entirely a planned act, as i am very new to bird ownership and was looking for a much smaller bird. I live in the natural habitad of these types of bird, so much so that there is a flock of this type of conure on the city’s main street, so they fall prey to people catching them and selling them all the time. I found Erza hidden on a 20cm of diameter cage on a shady store, and while he was not what i wanted i felt like he was suffering a lot. So naturally i couldnt leave him there so i bought him. While the original plan was to take him to a protected park i heard about once, i didn’t knew where it was or had any information about it. I eventually found a vet for ezra and took him immediatly, but i had fallen in love with him already. He is bitey and has quite a character, terrified to death of hands but will climb your forearm and loves shoulders. If you manage to touch his cheek to scratch it he will love it, and then act like hands are a thing of evil.

Well that was quite a long message, anyhow i would love to join this community. You all seem pretty knowledgeable, and frankly i think i could use some guidance.

 

[Jen5200]

Welcome to you and Ezra! Lots of conure people here, so feel free to ask any questions. Good groups here and lots of knowledge shared

 

[Flboy]

Welcome to you! For him, it makes sense that hands are a very evil thing!

 

[YUMgrinder]

pics please!

 

[sweetpeamusic]

Welcome! Thank you for saving him from what sounds like a horrible situation. There's lots of good information on this site if you're new to birds. Pics would be appreciated

 

[ErzaoftheRedMask]

This is him, the small cage is the one he was living in and the big one is the actual, but he got some nice toys and bowls now.

 

[GaleriaGila]

What a beauty! I think many will know of him as a Cherry-Headed Conure...

For now, just relax, and let him settle. Plenty of time for reading about diet, cages, training...

I see a great future for you and your new (fabulously-named) feathered roomate!

Thank you for sharing this bird with us!

 

[ErzaoftheRedMask]

I actually had him for about a month now, i feed him a seed mix of sunflower seeds, peanut and corn. Of course also fruit and vegetables, mostly apple cause he loves apples. I spend with him about 3 hours with him(outside the cage) every morning, from 6 to 9 am, and then i leave for university so i move his cage to the backyard to spend time whoever passes by in the family. Then i come home at different times everyday depending on my schedule, mondays, fridays, tuesday, sundays and saturday i return home to do homework around 2 pm, which i do with him. On the other days i come home late, i just bring his cage into my room and leave the door open. He wakes me up every morning. I got him to step up on my arm, and he likes to climb me.
My worries come from his recent change of behavior. He used to come to me to take naps on my shoulder and liked to clean my hair. Lately he seems scared of me, likes to stay away from me and has bitten me hard. He no longer seeks me out like before, and i dont understand why he doesnt like me anymore.

 

[MonicaMc]

Welcome to the forums! Ezra seems like a young cherry head! I'm not sure what you have available where you are at, but you may want to consider enriching his cage more with some safe tree branches and toys. The wooden dowels aren't good for his feet. Would recommend a different seed mix, and if you could find it, maybe even pellets. Might have to buy stuff online, too?


Have you tried just feeding him his favorite foods by hand?

 

[ErzaoftheRedMask]

The cage is vastly improves with some toys and tree branches, but i live in ecuador so getting pellets is a no go, what seed mix you would recomend?
I ffed him apple all of the time from my hand, lately he seems less interest in it tho

 

[Scott]

Welcome to the forums, Juan! Thanks for a nice introduction and rescuing Ezra from an unpleasant situation.

If you've had him for about a month, he is likely reasonably comfortable knowing his environment and schedule. Seems you don't know his age, it is possible he is going through puberty and affected by hormones. In any case, there are techniques to build trust with Ezra and bond more closely. Check out this thread! http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

Is it possible to receive pellets by mail? Pellets are generally healthier than seeds. Safely washed fruits and vegetables are ideal as the largest food group. Another thread to help convert to an ideal diet: http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

 

[smbrds]

Welcome to you and your new friend!! Glad that you were able to rescue him.