Sun conures hormone behaviour and molting.

[Rody]

Hi

I have a Sun Conure roughly 10 months old. Her behaviour has changed a little. She has gradually become a little more agitated in spurts, she can be very jealous, possessive, gets angry if you touch her toys or ignore her and very clingy with our family, she takes turns on who is the favourite on the day. I’ve noticed in the mornings she is at her nicest but in the evening she can start getting nippy and act like an annoying toddler that keeps harassing you for a new toy but that can vary now. Yes she is very spoiled and demanding and gets a lot of attention from my wife and I, but her latest behaviour a has been one of entitlement. Due to her age I don’t know if she is getting hormonal, maybe some of you may know a bit more for this particular breed?

My second question is what age do the get their first molt? It is around two months into spring in Australia. She hasn’t yet molted but she does a lot of pruning and sometime a small feather may be pulled of but not often.

Thankyou

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

I'm not sure when suns reach sexual maturity. I think between 1 and 2 years? As for the first molt, it
usually happens within a year of them fledging. Hopefully someone can give you better or additional information

 

[wrench13]

First, understand that parrots are so like children, developmentally. THere are no hard rules. SOme kids walk at 10 months some at 2 years. Some parrots hit puberty around the commonly accepted age, some earlier, some later. Our little Amazon Salty - we almost didn't notice his puberty. BUT the next year's mating season was horrid!

So, yes, I think he is starting his transition from baby to adult rooster. Puberty of parrots is tough as hormones flood their little bodies. They literally lose their minds, like kids, with wild mood swings, switching favorites like hats, etc. Try to not let any new behaviors become permanent, anticipate biting(if possible) and remember that this too shall pass.

 

[Rody]

Hi Wrench. Is there any tricks or methods in the way to correct this bitting behaviour. She was sitting on my chest this evening quietly and sleeping all content. Then I started reading, she opened her eyes and saw I was reading and jumped and bit me on the lip. I put the book down and she went back to sleep on my chest like nothing happened. My wife and I couldn’t believe it.