Jaws... I mean, Quasar, is bitey.

[Vampiric_Conure]

I know Green Cheeks are bitey, but I've never had a conure try to bite so many times when trying to service his cage. He nips mostly, but every so often, he plants a good one. Change toys? Bites. Change food bowls? Bites. Go and say hi? He hangs off the bars of the cage to bite. Could it be that he's just a nippier than usual GCC? He's not tame, so I'm wondering if that could be part of it. Even then, I've had breeder birds that didn't try to go after me quite so often.

I've been trying to get him used to me playing with him by doing the 'poke your toes' game and 'I got your beak'. It seems to be helping, and he doesn't nip QUITE as hard.

Any other things I could do to train him to ease it with his beak? Most of the stuff I know is from 20 yrs ago. Yikes!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Was he like this with his previous owner? It sounds like he was never properly socialized with humans
You say he's not tame which I think is the same thing. It may take a lot of work to tame him as an adult bird. We have so many members with green cheeks that are very tame amazing birds so I'm sure you are frustrated that Quasar attacks you every time you get near him. I hope in time he calms down and learns to trust you.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

Was he like this with his previous owner? It sounds like he was never properly socialized with humans
You say he's not tame which I think is the same thing. It may take a lot of work to tame him as an adult bird. We have so many members with green cheeks that are very tame amazing birds so I'm sure you are frustrated that Quasar attacks you every time you get near him. I hope in time he calms down and learns to trust you.

Even if he's not 100% tame, I can live with some nipping. He's just so... well, he's worse than Yvons when it comes to bites, only I can see one coming a mile away. Quasar is about a year old. I wonder if he was a PetSmart/Petland bird.. They're not often tame there. Tis a pity if his biting is the reason why he was given up. He's such a lovable goof.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I wish birds knew how much better their lives would be if they didn't bite the hands that feed them!

 

[nkrbkr]

Have you tried target training with him? It’s a great way to start building trust with him, without getting bit.

 

[onamom]

Yeah, I think it’s because he’s not tame and socialized. But he’s awful cute! Is he interested in treats yet? Will he take them from you? I wonder if you could build a positive association t giving him a treat every time you come to his cage.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

To answer folks' questions - Started target training him today. He... kinda takes treats from me. Depends on his mood. Usually, he'll come over and lick it a few times before running off. I show everyone else getting treats, and he's had more interest in them since I've been doing that. I'm running out of pistachios, so those are reserved for bedtime, when Yvons gets back in his cage. I offer Quasar a treat whenever I'm by his cage.

The target training started off well. He doesn't attack the stick, but will lick it curiously. He won't take a treat from me, as I said earlier, but he gets excited when I tell him ''Good Bird' . I'm glad I found the boi. He is so ripe full of personality!