Sun Conure hates my wife

[grateful_dad]

A few months ago, my wife and I became the new owner's of three birds. Another couple was going through a divorce and were unable to keep them. Jay (an African Grey), came with his own cage. The girls, Sunny (Sun Conure), and Chloe (Maroon Bellied Conure) came with a cage they share.
At first, all the birds seemed to like us both. After some time Jay gravitated toward my wife, but is still OK with me. This seemed normal since he is a male. The conures, however, have become aggresive and vicious toward my wife. Whenever she walks by the cage, they begin to squawk and holler. If she is close enough to the cage, Sunny will jump on her (they are clipped) and bite her. They are OK sitting on their movable perch or on my shoulder with her around. This usually only happens when they are on/in their cage, and I am in the next room where they can't see me.
Any suggestions?

 

[Scotty T]

Yea, I hated my wife too, that's why I divorced her. ;-)

hehe..... :54:

On a serious note, I'm not sure what it is but all birds hate my exwife.
I don't know if it's a signal that she gives off or what. I sure got that signal.

I grew up with birds and they were nasty to her, her and I went to highschool together. Now my kids tell me, here 20+ years later, the cockatoo that they had for a short period hated her. Ya got me on that one!

 

[Adz]

Birds don't care about sex in my opinion. I have a male GCC and he adores me. He doesn't mind my partner but is a little more disobedient with her.

How is your wife around them, is she ok to grab them when they bite here and prevent it (let them know who's boss) or is she timid? I assume you're probably more hands on with them? Do you feed them etc and give them more attention?

 

[grateful_dad]

We both share in the feeding. She was not timid with them at first, but I think she is afraid of them now. She still feeds them, but she makes sure not to let themout when she changes their food/water. She tries to talk to them and give them treats, but they just don't want her near their cage. I think I am going to have to take them away from their cage in order for them to start getting closer to her.

 

[Pedro]

Gratefuldad, are we talking about 2 mature conures because if we are I am thinking they are protecting their cage as their nesting site. Even though they are 2 hens they will still act like a bonded pair & will possibilly lay eggs.

A few things your wife can try:
Don't feed them while they are in the cage, take them out & put them on a T stand or play jim. Then tend to the cage & when finished put them back.

If the wife can't get them to step up on her hand or stick. She could gently towel them. Conures are normally easy to towel because they love being in a cosy place. While she has her hands protected by the towel she can give them head rubs.

Take out any cosy place like happy huts from their cage. Being 2 hens that will only encourage nesting behavior.

Conures can get very territorial once they have matured. It seems they both are picking on your wife. And i am guessing the birds sense she is afraid of them.

Have a read through this link & you & your wife may understand your birds a bit better & maybe able to see what your doing wrong.

Site Name - Articles - Behavioral - The Importance of The Cage Territory

 

[MikeyTN]

I agree with Pedro on this one!!!! I've owned conures in the past and they are like that...

 

[PrettyInInk87]

I won my Conure over with a head and neck rub... Once he felt how good it felt when I rubbed his head, he stopped biting me and chose to hang out with me and get neck rubs instead.

 

[Adz]

Yep good advice, take them away from their next and bond. Once they have some more trust they may be better.