New here, doing research...

[HouseFan711]

Hello,
I am not a Sun Conure owner as of yet. Though I am doing months of research and careful consideration as to whether this is the right pet for me. I know this is going to be around a 30 year commitment and once I get a pet I make sure that I am going to be it's only caregiver throughout it's life.
With that being said, I was reading an article that Conures have to be socialized so others can handle them. (Like friends, family, avian vets, and even bird sitters) Well, that part is going to be hard for me considering me I live at home with my parents. Having my parents interact with the bird is one thing. But what about others? We don't get visitors or guest. Maybe once a year and it's one person. We don't get many people that come and visit.
So how would I go about socialization? I was thinking, that I could take the bird out in a travel cage or my old pet stroller (Still in great condition, no rips or tears, just used for an old dog with back leg problems) to the park, malls, beaches, and for walks. Would that be okay? Would my bird be happy just observing and listening to other people? Like myself and friends. (My friends never come to my house. Once again it's a rarity that we get any kind of company) How long should the outing be? Is that even a good idea? Do other bird owners do that?
Could Sun Conures take direct natural sunlight? Like humans can. Or do they need the shade on outings?
Also, does it depend on the individual bird for the temperature it can take. I understand they need to be kept warm. But how warm? A strict 70 degrees and above?
I have so many questions and I try researching them all online, but some like these are rather difficult to find answers to.

 

[weco]

Welcome to the forums, hope you find what you're looking for, because there is a lot of knowledgeable & experience around here, in fact, we may have some of the oldest moderators around ! ! !

I am not a Sun Conure owner as of yet. Though I am doing months of research and careful consideration as to whether this is the right pet for me. I know this is going to be around a 30 year commitment and once I get a pet I make sure that I am going to be it's only caregiver throughout it's life.

With that being said, I was reading an article that Conures have to be socialized so others can handle them. (Like friends, family, avian vets, and even bird sitters) Well, that part is going to be hard for me considering me I live at home with my parents. Having my parents interact with the bird is one thing. But what about others? We don't get visitors or guest. Maybe once a year and it's one person. We don't get many people that come and visit.


Sorry to hear you don't have many visitors, but since you are collecting information for future use, everything you may read about companion parrots and/or the keeping of birds may not always be true as written.....a number of authors will have the reader assume a writing to be theirs, when in actuality, the information may have been embellished and actually usurped from the works of others.....you may find some things you read are best read with a question mark and look for supporting data from other sources.....

So how would I go about socialization? I was thinking, that I could take the bird out in a travel cage or my old pet stroller (Still in great condition, no rips or tears, just used for an old dog with back leg problems) to the park, malls, beaches, and for walks. Would that be okay? I think most companion parrots enjoy outings, so, your ideas sound good.....Birds learn from their siblings & flock mates and where you are the flock mate, how you interact with other humans can act as a learning experience for a feathered friend, though some birds will display jealousy/protectiveness by acting aggressive and trying to bite anyone who might show an interest in you, but these attitudes are usually relatively easy to change by showing your displeasure to these tactics.....


Would my bird be happy just observing and listening to other people? Like myself and friends. (My friends never come to my house. Once again it's a rarity that we get any kind of company) How long should the outing be? Is that even a good idea? Do other bird owners do that? Probably yes, because all of my birds enjoy any attention they get, even if they have to share their time with me with other flock members.....

Could Sun Conures take direct natural sunlight? Like humans can. Or do they need the shade on outings? Yes and no...birds, like humans, cannot stand a lot of direct sunlight...actually, just because most parrot species come from hot, tropical climates, there is always an amount of shade that a bird can avail themselves of nearby.....unless a bird is conditioned to extreme temperatures, assume temperatures over about 70 degrees Fahrenheit to be dangerous for a bird not used to them.....

Also, does it depend on the individual bird for the temperature it can take. I understand they need to be kept warm. But how warm? A strict 70 degrees and above?
I have so many questions and I try researching them all online, but some like these are rather difficult to find answers to. This is one of those erroneous pieces of information about parrots...actually, our feathered friends are much better at keeping themselves warm...much better than we humans are, but they find heat as much of a problem as we humans do.....

Hope this helps get you started on your data/information collection.....

 

[HouseFan711]

Yes thank you. That was so helpful! I'm planning on getting my feathered companion next year. So I have a whole year to learn as much as I can and be as prepared as I can be. What would be the ideal temperatures for a parrot? I understand most of it is common sense. My pet stroller does provide a canopy for shade. I know I can't take them out in 100 degree weather with 90% humidity tacked on with out adequate conditions of shade and air conditioning. I also know I can't take him out in 30 degrees either. I live in NY. I am not a cold weather person so I wouldn't even think to introduce my bird to cold weather like snow or temperatures below 60. I can deal with 50 degrees but I prefer not to. I am much happier in temperatures 60 and above (taken there's no humidity I hate humidity)

I am glad to hear they like outings. Because I would love to take my feathered friend with me almost everywhere I go.

 

[Squirt]

My sun is a great traveller. She has gone from NJ to MA numerous times. If you take her somewhere in the winter, start your car and let it heat up first. Then cover the carrier in a warm blanket to get the bird to the car.

Please don't take your bird outside without a flight harness or in a carrier. Even if it's clipped it can still get away from you, if startled jump into the street and get hit by a car, or a bird of prey could get it.

Edit: A pet stroller is a good idea, too. I never thought about using one for a bird.

 

[weco]

I can deal with 50 degrees but I prefer not to. I am much happier in temperatures 60 and above (taken there's no humidity I hate humidity)

Be careful about maintaining a negative humidity around a companion bird as it can lead to dry skin, feather barbering, feather plucking & self mutilation.....your home humidity should be kept between a 40% & 60% levels both for animal comfort as well as the longevity of mouldings/moldings, furniture, textiles & clothing in the house.....just as too much humidity can cause mold problems, similarly, atmospheres that are too dry create their own problems & with live animals, especially with companion birds, endorphins come into play, causing euphoric feelings & conditions/habits that can be extremely difficult to change/correct.....

 

[HouseFan711]

I also meant outside humidity in the summer. I should have cleared that up. But thank you for your insight.

I had never thought about a flight harness. I was just thinking of a travel cage placed inside the pet stroller for easier clean up after an outing. Never thought of a harness. Didn't even realize they made those for birds. Very interesting.

 

[Minimaker]

Here's an example of a good harness:
Aviator Harness Leash Small Parrot Bird | eBay

I think everyone here mostly buys that brand. You can sometimes find them in pet stores as well. I had to order my macaw one online but found a smaller size one for my conure in a local store.

 

[HouseFan711]

I just found one of those harnesses on Amazon. Thank you. I will definitely keep that in mine. I have lots of questions and will be posting them as I think of them. But are birds like dogs or cats in the sense that once you bring home your new baby you have to take it to the vet for a clean bill of health so to speak?
Do they have to see a vet once a year?
Do they need any kind of wellness shots?
Do they need any kind of vitamins? Or is the nutrition in heir foods and some our foods enough for them?
Is a standard sized cage big enough for just staying in while I'm at work or sleeping? (When I mean standard I mean 24x24x30)
Is there anything that they can't drink besides caffeine and sugary drinks like soda?
Anything they can't eat or you wouldn't feed them? (Besides the test I have already found online that list avacados, chocolate, onion, garlic, or fruit seeds)