Nanday Conure - some minor issues

[JRG]

I adopted Charlie about 3 months ago and was told his estimated age was 5-6 years old. He is my first bird, and he is a joy and has been very easy and friendly from day one. Steps up, hangs on the shoulder when I'm working around the apartment, rarely screeches or screems, etc. He is not fond of company, I should mention that I'm a senior and pretty much home bound, we spent almost 24/7 together.

Is there a weight range for a male Nanday, do I need to buy a scale and weigh him, weigh his food? He eats Zupreem Fruity pellets and loves them, has apple and carrot daily, loves the apple, carrot not so much and he won't eat greens. He seems healthy.

He doesn't seem to play with toys very much, he plays with a couple more than the others and loves to play tug a war with brown wrapping paper as well as just tossing and playing with it in his cage. He is clipped and hangs around the cage top and on the door.

I can't seem to get him interested in bathing, he will splash around in the bathroom sink if I cup my hands and hold running water in them, bought him a nice bath for the cage and he only uses it for drinking?

Those are some of my 'newbie' concerns and I appreciate the way you guys come through for people.......

Jim

 

[Shoegoo]

Sounds like a great companion.

 

[GaleriaGila]

I love how concerned and caring you are! I would say... keep on offering activities, toys, foods, affection: let things happen at their own speed. He sounds delightful. About the bath... maybe try splashing the water VERY gently, or dribbling some drops over his head from your palm. You never know what he has been through... I'm just so happy he has a great home now. The lack of screaming and aggression is amazing to me... Nandays have a rep for a bit of that. We'd love a picture! As to weighing him... it's a nice way to monitor his wellness, but not necessary. I'd love to see you get a steady avian vet, but I understand not having one nearby, or having trouble with travel or a limited budget. Stay with us. There are some real experts here. Me? I'm an expert in 30-year-old monster Patagonians!

 

[CherylCali]

My conure only takes baths in her water bowl, she gets excited when I turn water on. But she won't get in it. One thing she has begun to do is take a bath in her bowl while I'm refilling it and carrying it to her cage. If you hold the bird bath he may warm up to it.
Some of the best toys and most used are things I've made out of paper, or stringing paper through the cage bars.
With fruits and veg's sometimes the best way is for them to see you eating it. Works for me when I'm introducing new things. One day she loves bell pepper, the next week she could care less.
It sounds like you're off to a great start and friendship.

CherylCali

 

[Notdumasilook]

Personally Id recommend getting a set of scales to monitor birds weight about once every month or so. With all those feathers and a gradual change you might not notice. This happened to me an my lil Booger recently and 30 odd years ago with my BFA Cookie. Booger also was use to taking baths in his water bowl... but Ive got him now bathing in a shallow pan. I just caught him in a few times when he got in the bathing mood.. took him out of the cage and spashed the water in the pan. He jumped right in and LOVED the extra room. My BFA is not nuts for a bath so I mist him with a spray bottle now and then but about once a month he gets taken to the tub where I soak him pretty good with the spray shower.
Any reason you have him clipped? I understand there are situations where its really needed but I prefer mine flighted. Granted I had to birdproof the house for their safety but that was no big deal.
As far as diet goes don't hesitate to introduce lots more stuff. Sweet potato raw or cooked gives them all the vitamin A they need.. Mine prefer it cooked just a lil bit to soften just a bit. As for other stuff NOT to give them.. no avacado, no caffeine, no chocolate, I avoid peanuts. I also feed my birds meats/fish/eggs (scrambled) but limited cuz they can get chloresterol (sp) problem just like humans. Mine llke various healthy cereals too..like wheat chex, cheerios, etc. Im jealous of ya.. I wish I could do 24/7 with my kids!!

 

[JRG]

Notdum...I like your handle.

I think I will get a scale, your reasoning sounds good as I'm a bird novice. Thanks

 

[MonicaMc]

Is there a weight range for a male Nanday, do I need to buy a scale and weigh him, weigh his food?
As per an average parrot weight list floating around on some websites and Parrots.org, nandays should be about 140 grams.

As per Scott McDonald, the average weight was 136 grams, with a 20% range of mean being 120-150.

He eats Zupreem Fruity pellets and loves them, has apple and carrot daily, loves the apple, carrot not so much and he won't eat greens. He seems healthy.
If possible, I would recommend trying to convert him to a dye-free, sugar-free pellet.

These two links may help.

http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...afe-fresh-foods-toxic-food-lists-sprouts.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...7-converting-parrots-healthier-diet-tips.html

He doesn't seem to play with toys very much, he plays with a couple more than the others and loves to play tug a war with brown wrapping paper as well as just tossing and playing with it in his cage.
One - take treats that he enjoys and stuff them into his toys!

Two - wrap treats and toys up in the wrapping paper!

Three - Using a cheapo brown paper bag (for lunches), fill with shredded paper, foot toys and some treats! You may need to poke some holes in it to get him interested at first, but if he figures it out, he'll have a blast destroying his new toy!

Four - Take an old phone book, maybe remove the outer cover, then weave the pages through the cage bars, or if you can get it done, drill a hole through the spine and attach to the cage via a bolt and wingnut!

Five - get some plastic straws and zip ties. Get maybe 10 or so straws together, then zip tie in the center. Stuff the ends with treats and food!

etc!

He is clipped and hangs around the cage top and on the door.
If feasible, I'd recommend allowing his flights to grow out and teaching him to fly to you when you call him.



I can't seem to get him interested in bathing, he will splash around in the bathroom sink if I cup my hands and hold running water in them, bought him a nice bath for the cage and he only uses it for drinking?

Here's some different bathing techniques you can try....

• Try luke-warm water
• Try cold water
• Try ice-cold water
• Try a spray bottle
• Try a plant mister
• Try in the sink with the water running or just some water in the bottom
• Try in the sink with the sprayer
• Try in the tub with some water in the bottom
• Try a casserole dish or similar with some water
• Try the dish with ice
• Try the dish with foot toys
• Try the dish with some small rocks or pebbles
• Try the dish with some leafy greens like endive or other types of lettuces that may create a "natural" bowl
• Try the dish with a vacuum cleaner running
• Try in the shower with you - watching you having a blast getting wet!
• Try dancing the bird into the shower with the water already going
• Try spritzing yourself, and have fun doing it! Then spritz the bird
• Try outside in an empty cage large enough to spread wings during a nice rain shower
• Try outside in an empty cage using the hose with a mist/shower attachment
• Try playing videos of other birds bathing

 

[JRG]

Monica...thanks for the very pertinent information. I even printed it for reference. This forum is great for the advice given to new companion bird folks.

 

[Flboy]

Where you live,make a ride up to Loveland. Visit:
Avalon Aviary: Bird Supply Store and Parrot Breeder in Loveland, Colorado
Fantastic selecting of quality foods and great folk! My JoJo loves TOPS pellets. They do carry Harrison also. Prices are a bit high, but without shipping, great! Visit the back room!