New Jenday Conure Questions

[Godzi11a]

Hi Everyone!

I am the new happy owner of a Jenday Conure and even though I have done my research I am confused by one of his behaviors and I was hoping someone could help me understand what he is trying to tell me.

Loki (my beautiful conure) is about 4 months old (born 2-15-2013) and he has been home for about 3 days. He has already come out of his cage, learned "step up" and really likes to be around me and near me. In fact he will travel to come closer to me, but not aggressively.

But sometimes when I say step up, he sometimes grabs my finger and shakes his head and wings rapidly while calling. I wouldn't mind it so much except he really clamps down and leaves a bruise on my finger.

I can usually stop him by showing him a treat before I say step up, but I was wondering if I am doing something wrong and would rather not reinforce a bad behavior.

Thank you for your time

 

[aliray]

How old is your new baby? He may just be trying to get his balance. Using his beak and wings to stabilize himself on your finger

 

[aliray]

Sorry I guess I should have paid more attention to your post. Where do you put your finger when you are trying to get him to step up? If it is too high on his chest he may be trying to climb up your finger. Try putting your fingers just over the top of his feet but below his belly

 

[Godzi11a]

He is about 4 months old and was born on 2-15-2013

Unfortunately I can't even get him on my finger first for him to balance himself. He sticks out his beak to follow my hand, then clamps down when I get close. It doesn't seem out of anger though, because he lets me touch his belly and his wings at first he did it lightly, but now it is a bit too hard for comfort.

 

[aliray]

# days is a very short amt of time to have a new bird settle in if they didn't know you. New home new cage, new people, new sounds, new routines, ect. you said he new step up? There is nothing wrong with using a food bribe to get them to step up. If it works do it. Sometimes a little piece of millet spray, or a favorite treat then they learn that steping up to you is a good thing and that you won't harm him. My guess is at the moment he is just new and scared or at least not too sure. It will get better honest

 

[Godzi11a]

yeah i thought so haha he is just my baby so it;s hard not to be worried haha

thank you for responding to my post.

He really likes fresh fruit haha

 

[aliray]

You are welcome and if he likes fresh fruit you can also use that to get him to step up

 

[legal_eagle]

If he is a hand-fed baby I would bet that behavior is feeding behavior from when he associated a hand with a syringe coming at him with his breakfast (or lunch or dinner). I would expect it to diminish over time.

 

[MonicaMc]

If he is a hand-fed baby I would bet that behavior is feeding behavior from when he associated a hand with a syringe coming at him with his breakfast (or lunch or dinner). I would expect it to diminish over time.

I agree with this, especially if the behavior looks like any of these videos

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RqtfC_5xM8]Baby Sun Conures Handfeeding - YouTube[/ame]

[ame=http://youtu.be/-p-rw32KhHk]Feeding time for baby Conure Parrots -- 4 weeks old - YouTube[/ame]

[ame=http://youtu.be/I5lSYtPAqB8]Sun Conure baby hand feeding www.exoticparrots4sale.com - YouTube[/ame]



Please ensure that your new conure is eating enough food and not losing weight!