New Owner of a Green Cheek Conure

[SpanischeRose]

Hello,
Greetings from Canada Im a new owner of a GCC since Yesterday. He is the sweetest Guy ever. He already perched on my Finger and got his Head cratched yesterday.
Im not to familiar with the GCC yet. I have four Budgies. So maybe somebody could give me some advice on how to keep my little guy happy. Here are some Pictures if the little Guy.

 

[Flboy]

Welcome! A real cutie!!
Advice? When he starts wanting to boss you around, gently hold your ground. That little guy will fight to the death if you hit him straight on!
He looks about due for a nail clipping.

 

[Lullx]

Oooh what a cutie! Did you adopt him? He doesn't look like a juvenile.
The fact that he's already stepping up and allowing scritches is great!

I also had a few budgies (and then a cockatiel) before getting my conure.
Once they're comfortable in their environment, most GCCs are incredibly playful and mischievous. I call them gremlins, for reasons that will probably become apparent to you soon enough Mine love to climb and tumble around on fabrics, so I'm making a cargo net for them. Conures are quite the acrobats!
For mine, one of their favorite toys are actually bendy straws! They're toss them around and chew on them and carry them all over the place. Toys for parrots don't have to be expensive, as long as you get creative! Mine prefer foot toys (toys that aren't hung up; they can pick them up with their feet and beaks) over cage toys, and I let them out most of the day to socialize and play.

Many conures also love water. My guys would take baths every single day if they could. Once a week I take them into the shower with me and let the shower mist hit them. The water straight from the shower head is too powerful and can hurt them, but if you let the water bounce off of you, it'll create a gentle mist they can safely play in. Not only do many birds find this fun and relaxing, but it'll also strengthen the bond between you!

My baby Genevieve also really loves being wrapped up in her fleece blanket. She's my only bird who likes this, so your mileage may vary, but a snuggly bird will be really happy to get the chance to fall asleep in your hand, wrapped up like a burrito.

I also try to give them a lot of variety in their diet. Not only is it healthier for them, but my guys have a lot of fun eating new foods. I cut their fruit and veggies up kind of large because they like to tear bites out of things.

Conures are very smart and will appreciate having to work for their food (commonly known as foraging). I'll hide food in clean egg cartons, coffee filters, paper cups, ect. They enjoy shredding and making a mess and I believe this is typical for conures (and most birds).

Good luck!

 

[SpanischeRose]

This little guys was giving to me by a Friend. He knew somebidy who was going to give him away because they didnt had the time for him no more. i know everything about Budgie what there is to know but this little guy is different ball game.
He fell asleep earlier in my hand that was so cute. There is one thing i was goi g to ask the whole time he was out he didnt once made the attemt to fly. Do the rather walk and be close to people? Like sitting on tgere shoulder and stuff like that? He does all kinds of noise and he screeches when i leave the room. I have him in my livingroom.

 

[Lullx]

From my experience, conures don't fly too much. They prefer to climb and tumble and waddle around.
Mine only fly when they're spooked or I'm ignoring them and they want to be near me.

One of mine was rescued by me, and in his previous homes he was never allowed out of his cage, so he never learned to fly. His wings were very weak and he couldn't physically fly. I've been working hard to fix that, and he's started to fly more, usually still only when he's spooked or wants to be near me.

My ex had a conure while living with me, and she would only fly briefly. When she was let out of her cage for the day, she would do a quick lap or two around the room, then wouldn't fly for the rest of the day.

They do typically love to hang out with you, on your shoulder or even your head!

 

[SpanischeRose]

All i know is that the guy had this little guy for a year and that he only had do.ebody to play with when the owner was home and that wasnt alot. He is missing a toe you can see it in the first picture.same foot front and back are kinda missing. He is not walking right on tha foot either.
When he screams when i leave the room is it wise to say , im here so he can hear my voice or should i leave it. He also taps the peak against the cage. I have him between my two budgie cages.

 

[Lullx]

If you call out when he cries, you'll teach him to keep crying for you.
I do my best to ignore my parrots when they yell. When they quiet down, I'll praise them for being so good and not screaming.

Mine still cry out for me when I leave the room, especially my rescue. When I'm ready to come back into the room (on my own terms, not theirs), I'll walk up to them and exaggerate my happiness to be back with them. This helps them learn that it's okay for you to leave, but that you will be coming back!
I'm still in the training stage with my flock, because two are under a year old and the rescue has only been here for 4 months. Their desperate crying for me to come back has begun to dwindle.

Any unwanted behavior (such as screaming) has to be ignored. Birds see any sort of attention as positive, and you can't really "discipline" them. Eventually they realize that their antics don't get any attention and will stop.

I have no experience with birds with missing toes, so I can't help with that sadly ):

 

[SpanischeRose]

Ok that is good to know i will not respond to it when he screams when i leave the room. There is so much i still have to learn about this little guy. Maybe i can find a site where i hear all the calls they do and what they mean.

 

[Flboy]

Don't know if you missed it, his nails look long!

 

[SpanischeRose]

Thanks yes i have seen it. That picture was from yesterday i clipped them

 

[Flboy]

Thanks yes i have seen it. That picture was from yesterday i clipped them

:09: ok thanks!!