New Conure in the house?

[YepImClueless]

I just got a Sun conure from a Petsmart. I've heard bad things about pet store birds, but he was there for over a year and is very tame from the workers playing with him and teaching him things.
I've only had him for a day but he's very timid and scared of the new surroundings/cage. He flaps like crazy if you move him too fast when holding him, and he doesn't want to get off of you if you pick him up.
I know you are supposed to keep them in the cage to get used to it.. But there is no way I could just watch him in there all day, I take him out at least twice for a short period of time then let him go back in on his own.
He will not eat anything but millet or mango, I have food sitting for him, but he won't touch it. I only gave him a little bit of mango and a little bit of millet. I heard it's normal if they don't eat for a few days after moving into a new home... But it breaks my heart to watch him not eat. He's basically adjusted to the cage, except for a perch near the bottom, and the food dishes. But even without the food dishes there, he wouldn't touch the food. So.. Should I wait, or is there anything I can do to make him eat? I sit here and talk to him all day long, I haven't left his side. He's also sneezed a few times I've noticed, I hope that isn't anything serious... He doesn't move a lot unless he wants something. But I think part of that may be he's just scared stiff. Definitely not as scared as he was yesterday, But still scared.
So... Any advice? I really want to put my life into this bird, and make it feel happy and comfortable...

 

[DebsFlock]

What was he eating at the store? Feed him that even if it's "terrible" food, until he settles in and try to make a transition gradually. They usually feed something like Kaytee Fiesta.

My Petsmart bird is a great bird, actually.

 

[YepImClueless]

What was he eating at the store? Feed him that even if it's "terrible" food, until he settles in and try to make a transition gradually. They usually feed something like Kaytee Fiesta.

My Petsmart bird is a great bird, actually.

Yeah.. I have the same food in his dish that they gave to him. He just doesn't want to eat it though.

 

[friedsoup]

Probably just too much change too fast back off and let him settle down and I'll bet he'll start eating; remember if you spend too much time with him now how will he feel when your life get into routine and less time for him you'll get a screaming bird and be asking us how to stop it.

 

[choreokyeelove]

I think he's too scared and is still adjusting to his new home. My Green Cheek Conure was the same. At the pet store she was begging us for attention and didn't seem so scared and shy until we took her home which is when she was trying to bite us and refused to eat and let us touch her. Now she's well adjusted into our house and is quite friendly other than her little nibbles .

 

[Total_Dejavu]

Aww I would be worried too, but he's probably just trying to get acclimated to his new surroundings. Could be he's eating when you're asleep as well so try not to get too stressed out. Since he was at the pet store so long it may take him awhile to get used to real veggies and fruits. Good luck and keep us updated with his progress.

 

[JamesC]

One thing you could try is to eat something near his cage. With all three of my birds, if I'm eating they will too. Offer him a little bit if he shows interest to see if he will take it. An apple or grapes are good choices to start with since they are sweet.

 

[Parrotmamma]

I think once he settles in he will be fine. going to a new home can be overwhelming and it just takes awhile for them to adjust. I bet he will doing much better in a few days : )

 

[Conuregirl]

Do you leave the cage door open while you are home so he can come out? let him come out on his own and hang out on the door or top of the cage. he can go back inside when he wants to. my birds like to do this all day and look out the window. giving treats really makes a difference. my conures love millet and anything orange like pineapple, mango, and papaya.

i eat in front of them and they go to their bowls to eat at the same time. i give them a piece of what i'm eating, like fruit. if they see me eating it, then they'll start begging for it.

good luck!

 

[wenz2712]

Welcome to the forum

 

[Spiritbird]

I agree to have the cage door open and a plate of food nearby. If he sees you eating something eventually he will want to try it too. Being in a pet store for a year must be very hard on a bird. Bright lights, strange faces and noises and most likely seeds and more seeds.
good luck

 

[AFP520]

I know it's tempting, but you really do need to leave the bird in the cage for those first couple of days, so they get used to the new surroundings. Just stand next to them and talk to them and offer some treats if you can. It will help build your bond.

 

[YepImClueless]

Thanks everyone for the replies, I sat with him this morning and he finally ate his food from his dish and perched on it once! When I came in this morning he was so excited to see me and came right out of the cage, he seems to be way more comfortable than he was a few days ago so I'm glad.