Wicked, the new guy.

[wicked demon]

Hello, I am Wicked Demon.
I am a marine reef keeper (cnidarian aquaculturist), but I am also a bleeding heart with a love for most animals.
So, why I am here......
My mom used to breed budgies, lovebirds, and cockatiels, I have a lot of free time (and minimal bird knowledge), so when I had a friend with a sun conure he was having a problem with (knowing they require a LOT of attention), I bought it.
<-He's pretty cool.
BUT..... he is a VICIOUS biter.
Hand fed as a baby, (he is now 3 yrs. old) he has developed what I would consider an anti-social behavior when in his cage.
He can be coaxed out then is marginaly more friendly. (still bites fingers, necks and ears)
So I come to this forum with the hopes that my natural affinty for animals and sheer tolerance for pain will be enough to re-habilitate this bird.

So here is what I hope to accomplish in the first weeks/months.
#1~Stop the aggression/biting
#2~At least 1 mimicked sound
#3~At least 1 trained behavior
PHDs? Renound avian experts? Ghetto-fabulous bird lovers?
I NEED YOUR HELP!!
Thanx in advance~ The Wicked 1.

 

[Ariana0902]

Hello and welcome! I am also new to this forum and I have learned lots of information! Unfortunetly I may not be best of help, though there are a lot of people that may be.

 

[HRH Di]

Welcome, Wicked. Lots of helpful people here. I'm by no means an expert, but here are some suggestions....

First, you have to gain his trust which is going to take lots of patience. Let him get used to you and just being around you. Talk to him calmly, gently and reassuringly. Don't try much - if any - physical contact like picking him up or petting him - only trusted friends get to do that. See if you can find out what his favorite treat is - for a lot of birds, the way to their hearts is most definitely through their stomachs.

Next - his cage. Make sure he has enough (but not too many) toys to keep him entertained. Let it be his decision to come out, don't force the issue.

Lastly, (I learned this from Spiritbird here on the forum), go buy a copy of Parrots for Dummies. Wonderful starter book with lots of good information on diet, cages, taming, etc.

Good luck! This is just going to take time and patience.

 

[Jane M]

Hi, I'm new today too. I have had lots of small parrots, but never a conure. I only know what I've been told about them. But HRH DI is right on, in my opinion. It is about that simple I think.... patience, approaching ALWAYS with quiet (I am so surprised how many "nice" friends will rush a cage, or speak too loudly, or make threatening gestures (even if it is just a fast arm movement thoughtlessly made while telling me a story while we are near a cage.....) it is crazy. Sometimes they've had a bad experience with someone with your hair color, or size, or gender and it takes a while to trust again. My cockatoo has loved and trusted me for 25 years, but will still think I am a scary enemy if I wear a yellow shirt, or one with sequins or high contrast graphics. And if you can let him come out of the cage on his own, and choose to climb on your arm (maybe for a nut or piece of apple) he will know he has the choice, Like DI said.... Try not to reach into his cage until he really thinks that is a FUN thing! Patience and quiet and letting him choose. It took me over a year to win over a female caique set up as a pair. She would run to the back of the cage top, and crawl down the back of the cage to get away. But hundreds and hundreds of sunflower seeds later, she finally one day, all at once, decided she'd come over and step up on my hand and have a ride around the room. She was one of the tamest, friendliest, and SMARTEST birds ever! Of course she trained me better than I trained her! Keep us informed of your training trials and successes. I'm sure we'd love to keep informed and maybe have some ideas. I am here to learn a lot of stuff that passed me by along the way!!!