New member, need Conure advice

[Taz76e]

I just joined this forum, honestly it's the only forum I have ever joined, so I apologize if this is a bit long. I have had parakeets, cockatiels, and a quaker parrot in the past, so I have some experience. We recently lost our 3 cockatiels in an accident while we were on vacation. One of the cockatiels was my daughter's (sweetest bird ever). She was devastated. We both wanted new birds, but she said she couldn't go with another cockatiel yet. We found 2 turquoise conures at a pet store. While I did do a ton of research prior to going to the store, I admit the purchase was a bit spontaneous. I had decided I wanted conures, but didn't do much research on the pet store. We were told they were hand raised, but I didn't ask for specific details on how they were raised. We brought them home, and one just tolerates being handled (Angel). The other (Sapphire) is very fearful of hands in general. The pet store owner told us to just take them out and handle them, which I tried initially, but my hands have paid the price. Sapphire bites and doesn't let go. I have done research, and I am now more confused. What is the best way to gain the trust of both birds, but mainly Sapphire? She is definitely the more anxious of the two. I have tried offering treats, but neither will take them from my hand while in the cage. Angel will take treats when you are holding her, but seems to be very picky. I am now just dropping treats in a bowl when I pass the cage (they do seem to eventually eat them, but don't show much interest initially). They have only been home with us for a few days and they are still very young, so I don't expect them to accept us immediately. I just don't want to do anything to make them untrusting. Thanks

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

I've got a similar problem with Quasar, a 1-year-old yellow-sided green cheek. He's not fearful so much as predatory and will clamp on pretty good if I let him. What I'm doing is taking it slow. Offer him treats from my hands that ONLY come from my hands and no one else. If he doesn't accept the treat, it goes in a treat bowl. Slowly, I up the ante and only offer it when he doesn't bite. I praise loudly when he comes near my fingers politely. It can take months for a bird to trust you, such as a green cheek, and even longer in larger birds. Others will most likely have more experienced advice .