needs advice just bought a sun conure

[MRauhauser]

I got a 1 yr old sun conure on saturday and got him a really nice cage and I have tried for 5 days now to get him to trust and like me all he does is run away bites hisses and screams what do I do I have tried giving him a bath and drying him off tried giving treats when he bites gently tried putting him on the ground to see if he comes to me to put him in his cage and nothing is working what do I do please help

 

[Klaery]

As Grey says move slowly. Try offering treats to him through the cage. He needs to trust you before you can move forward and that takes time.

 

[MRauhauser]

Oh ok thank you

 

[MRauhauser]

I wanted to make sure cause one of my moms friends was saying that after five days to give him a bath dry him off and put him on the floor till he comes to me to get in his cage

 

[Klaery]

Nah don't do that as unless he trusts you you will be doing more harm than good. Just have to go slowly. How old are you? Just remember before taking any animal into your care you should be doing as much research as possible but good to see you at least doing it now

In terms of using the forum I can see you are now replying in the one thread and that is good. No need to make a new thread to re-ask the same question as then you will just have your answers all over the place.

Good luck!

 

[MRauhauser]

I will be 22 on july 4th and I was reserching a bit on parrots in general for a good pet I could take to college with me and work but still have enough time to play with so I picked a sun conure they are the most beautiful parrots besides macaws but I was a little frightened away when I saw how big they get

 

[getwozzy]

I don't have an SC, but I have an amazon...you need to take it slow, seriously. Lower your expectations; trust with parrots isn't built in less than a week. He needs time to adjust to a new home, new environment, new people, new everything! It can be scary for birds. Sit next to his cage and talk to him quietly and with a happy voice. Try to give him treats. It's only going to make things worse if you take your frustrations out on him- they feed off of our emotions. I've only had Jackie for 3 months and we've made great progress together, but it's taken a GREAT deal of patience on my part.

 

[MRauhauser]

Thank you yea its just stressful I just don't want to mess up cause he is such a beautiful bird and I want to make sure I'm taking the right advice because the last thing I want to do is stess out a 600 dollar bird

 

[MRauhauser]

That's a little odd he hasn't done the whole screaming thing yet unless his last owners shook that habit or something he makes a mild squak but nothing like ear rattling

 

[Klaery]

Thank you yea its just stressful I just don't want to mess up cause he is such a beautiful bird and I want to make sure I'm taking the right advice because the last thing I want to do is stess out a 600 dollar bird

Who cares what he cost. What you don't want to do is stress out a beautiful little highly intelligent and social creature that is now depending on you for not only its survival but also its happiness. I am sure you would agree

 

[MRauhauser]

Thank you all for the advice I apreciate all of it I will try and get some pictures of him for everyone too see

 

[getwozzy]

Yes, it can be REALLY stressful and frustrating at times, but it takes time, time, and more time. I know you're excited for your new bird, but please be patient with him.

Grey is right- ignore the sounds you don't want him to make...don't even acknowledge it, if you make a big deal out of his screaming if/when he starts you'll just be reinforcing him to continue that behavior.

 

[getwozzy]

You also need to be patient with us on this forum...there are quite a few very knowledgable parronts on this forum, but not everyone can respond lickity split.

 

[MRauhauser]

Oh I do agree I really do and I believe that prices are a little extreme but I would spend that money on apollo all over again

 

[BillsBirds]

You are impatient, and that will not work well with birds. Slow down, and remember they are not like dogs, and will not respond quickly to anything. Except maybe by biting. And you keep mentioning the cost. That should be the least of your worries. These are not investments, they're lifelong friends. And like true friends, you both will grow together. And friends are priceless and of more value than any money amount.

 

[MRauhauser]

Thank you gray and everyone else for all of the great advise I will do my homework and let all of you know how it turns out

 

[MRauhauser]

Everyone I took your advice I sat by his cage for 3 hours just reading a book out loud about him and after I was done he started moving towards me in his cage so I took 2 perches and taught him step up he hates hands still I guess previous owner handled him too rough but he would step up from my wrist and walked all the way up to my shoulder and started kissing me and has been on my shoulder off and on for an hour now thank you all

 

[getwozzy]

Everyone I took your advice I sat by his cage for 3 hours just reading a book out loud about him and after I was done he started moving towards me in his cage so I took 2 perches and taught him step up he hates hands still I guess previous owner handled him too rough but he would step up from my wrist and walked all the way up to my shoulder and started kissing me and has been on my shoulder off and on for an hour now thank you all

Good job keep up the good work! Patience goes a long ways with these lil guys

 

[getwozzy]

Just be sure you work with him every day, go slow, be consistent, give him verbal praise "good boy!!!" and/or treats...don't expect too much from him too quickly, your relationship with him takes time to grow. If his previous owner wasn't very nice to him, he may be apprehensive about this new relationship and might expect the same treatment. Just please, PLEASE do not give up on him! If you have more questions, please browse the various sections in this forum and previous posts from other members, and don't be afraid to post your questions...but be nice about it and be patient with us.
Can you post pictures of him? We'd like to see your beautiful boy btw- I love the name Apollo...I have a Siberian husky named Apollo!

 

[MissyMe83]

Sounds like good progress, but like others have mentioned don't expect that you'll pick up where you left off just because she sat on your shoulder for a length of time. Real trust takes weeks and months. There's still times that my Amazon questions a quick hand movement even when I'm just going in to give her scratches that she bent down and asked for and I've had her for around 8 months now. Birds are moody too, so don't take it personally if she has an off day and wants little to nothing to do with you. Just remember to never show anger, agression, or annoyance. It takes a long time to build a level of comfort and no time at all to break what you've gained. Birds are intelligent creatures and don't forget.